A Pinay in Europe

We stopped by the coastal town of Menton today and how unceasingly we raved about how lucky we are for having the chance to live in this part of the world!  Truly, the turquoise blue mediterranean sea could lift one’s spirit through the roof! 

The Cote d’Azur could be one of the most expensive places on earth but look what you get in exchange of your hard-earned cash  (or “old money” if you inherited it from your wealthy parents )- Sun, Sea, Sand and may I add, Blue!

This 17th century Bastion used to be a military fort for protecting the town against marine invasion, particularly from Genova (Italy).  It was converted into an exhibition place for Jean Cocteau’s work, including drawings, paintings and tapestries.

Just a few sunbathers today

Last week’s storm brought big waves and along with it, rocks…. so volleyball is suspended in the meantime.

The marina of Menton

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A Sunday morning walk in the little commune of Fontenay de Briis, in the autumn, is simply spectacular! 

I am extremely lost for words gaping at the fiery colours of the changing season and the English-style gardens.  It is a sight so sublime,  my heart sings with joy at the staggering beauty of it all…

“The leaves fall patiently,
Nothing remembers or grieves
The river takes to the sea
The yellow drift of leaves.”
- Sara Teasdale

“Colors burst in wild explosions
Fiery, flaming shades of fall
All in accord with my pounding heart
Behold the autumn-weaver…”
- Dark Tranquility, With the Flaming Shades of Fall

“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.”
- Elizabeth Lawrence

“I would rather have one small rose
From the garden of a friend
Than to have the choicest flowers
When my stay on Earth must end.”
- author unknown

Fontenay de Briis, a modest commune of about 1700 inhabitants, is 30kms southwest of Paris.

This is the Mairie (town hall) which is attached to the Church of Fontenay

Vestige of the old church which was built towards the year 1200

A barometer on the Mairie’s tower

The old Pigeon House (pigeonnier) which is part of the Chateau.
Pigeons and doves were an important food source historically in Western Europe and were kept for their eggs, flesh, and dung. (source: Wikipedia)

Read what Colombo has to say….

My wife who loves activities of the Festival Committee asked me to make a reservation, quickly, with the Fontenay Club  for the show, “Enigma”, which will take place right after the Association Day on 10th September, but how to find it out the price, the food and the venue….

I think H is doing a Colombo…He knows that I am a festivalphile ….

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Summer went so fast and today is already the first day of Autumn!  Despite the burning sun, the cool breeze makes it perfect to go hiking and explore our natural surroundings.  The lovely and graceful flight of birds, the sudden sight of mushrooms popping out of the grass, the changing colours of leaves on trees, the ripening of grapes ready for the picking..huh..I just love autumn!

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
-  Albert Camus

“A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made.  The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.”
-   Eric Sloane

Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
- Ode to Autumn…John Keats

“There ought to be Gardens for all Months in the year, in which,
severally, things of Beauty may be then in season.”
-   Sir Francis Bacon

 Huge golden pumpkins in the field
With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield,
-   Gladys Harp

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Autumn is my second most favorite season after SPRING. It must be the golden, orangy, rusty and fiery colours of the leaves, the cool weather and the fruit harvests happening just about everywhere.  There are so many activities happening: wine fairs, mushroom fairs, fashion week, and yet, most of the tourists are gone so it’s quieter and calmer.

Here are some images of Autumn 2010:

The turning-burgundy colour of vine leaves
Saorge, France

Menton prouds itself to having more than 300 years of sunshine so anyone can still sunbathe in October
France

While Le Vendange (grape-picking) is going on around the region, some grapes are fated to dry out in situ
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

A hornet struggling to get out from the trap
The hornet season ends in late autumn, thank goodness! These pesty insects could bite really nasty.
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

Kiwis waiting to be picked. These vitamin- and nutrient-rich fruits are mostly grown in Italy.  New Zealand comes only second.
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

Autumn flowers
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

Green Pomegrenates. When they turn “pomegrenate” (the colour), they can be decorative and even slows down aging, so they say.
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

 
Apples. There are more than 7,500 varieties of apple and Italy is one of the leading growers, with China on the lead.
San Michele, Liguria, Italy

Autumn is when everyone starts storing logs for the winter fire. Why not do it later in the winter, you may ask. Because winter is so cold that your hands will be stiff-frozen to transport firewood from the wood store straight into your basement.
Saorge, France

This abandoned stone cottage is half-overgrown with burgundy-coloured vine.
Fontan, France

Nonna (Italian for grandmother) shelling her dried fava beans for her autumn recipe.
Castelvittorio, Liguria, Italy

Butternut Squash getting ripe for Halloween display
Castelvittorio, Liguria, Italy

Conkers (horse chestnuts) starting to drop at passersby’s heads.
Castelvittorio, Liguria, Italy

Autumn is the berry season, too. Some lasts till Christmas eve which makes them great as tree decorations.
Ligurian hills, Italy

And last but not least, it’s the season to buy your winter legwarmers.  

This boutique display seen at Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris

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