Tag Archives: Cannes

Festive Birds

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It was late Friday night and I had an unexpected visitor come to Cannes and drag me out to wonder about the Cannes Film Festival. We eventually ended up at Croisette 72 café opposite the Martinez hotel for drinks and people watching.

This past weekend the Cannes Film Festival parties were subdued compared to past years. I didn’t hear any music drift down from the hills of Cannes through the night. Normally the first weekend during the festival has several loud late night parties. It wouldn’t be so bad if they invited some of the neighbours, like me; if I’m going to be kept awake, I may as well have some fun.

Regardless whether the festival is on or not, the early spring mornings in Cannes around av. Isola Bella are very peaceful. Only the steady rhythm of birds as dawn’s light rises and the last remnants of Jasmine scents are carried by the mild chill air.

Eos’ Poppy

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Rising early on the last sane peaceful morning before the Cannes Film Festival (official site). Out walking Baka, before the morning run, in the lee of the hill of Super Cannes that is covered by lush green trees and plants, interspersed by many fine homes. Heady seductive scents waif down from above before the dawn light crests the colline.

Later, while running, having just passed the Colline de Saint Michel on the boundary between Cannes and Vallauris, I noticed a solitaire poppy on the rough cut hill, while opposite it one could see the Mediterranean Sea. I was struck by an image of loneliness and beauty.

Easter Blossoms

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Early yesterday morning, Baka and I were on a long walk through our favourite gully. The dense clouds were riding the wind, which was rustling the trees and carrying many scents of the Judas and Wisteri (Glycine in French) blooms and very soon too will come the Jasmine

Along the route we walk is an old abandoned trolley line that climbs the hill to the old observatory tower and one time restaurant high above Cannes. Its rails hidden amongst the overgrowth of brush and weeds. Its a shame that the city hasn’t thought to convert the old line into a nature walk for hikers or mountain bikers. But then some segments of the trolley line have been reclaimed and blocked off by the residences it passes by. Oh well.

Shawna Coronado writes the Casual Gardner column and the Gardening Nude blog. I noticed this tweet from her last night and after reading the article, it inspired me to write about the memories of distant friends. I should know as mine are scattered the world over and I’m terrible about keeping in touch. But I still have the fond memories.

One distant old friend of mine from Bulgaria, Kathy L, I do keep in touch with by Skype. She was telling me last night about the awesome curry dinner she had recently. She even sent a photo, which just set my mouth to drooling (and you don’t want to drool over a keyboard; makes an awful mess). I do so love a good hot & spicy curry.

Kathy L. curry dinner



This Easter Sunday morning was very quiet, overcast grey, and a touch damp after the night’s rain. Me, all geared up for a morning 10Km run in warm-up pants, old tatty t-shirt, and wind breaker, is wearing sun glasses as I walk Baka along the quiet street.

One effect of wearing sun glasses on overcast days, is that colours like the bright green of budding leaves or pink blossoms of the Judas trees are just that more striking. And almost every where I looked I saw the pink blooms. This is an old pic of Judas tree in bloom as seen from the court yard of my building.

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I just love April and May in Cannes.