Let's buy a place in Nice ...

We, well I, would like to buy a small place in Nice. I think I could live here during the northern Winter (our summer) and rent it for the remainder of the year. That way it would fund my travel and living costs when staying here.

You always get grandiose ideas when you're traveling; that's half the fun. But check out the type of building I could live in. They are everywhere and all just as beautifulful.  The other type are the Art Deco that was also once a very popular time. But for the grand architecture I think this is the ducks guts!

Then there is this where the architecture isn't quite as grand but the paint job to make it look grand is really exceptional. The blank side of a building with painted effect to look like shuttered windows, balconies pot plants and mouldings. The French skill of trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) of six or so floors of trickery!!!

Another reason to love Nice is the market in the old town. Although quieter than summer the food available was appealing like this stall selling glaced fruits. Whole clementines, pears of different varieties. There were rock melon wedges, pineapple slices, halved apricots, frangelica, citron and citrus peel of all persuasions. On the other side of the stall there were every nut of the world and not just one version but cashews roasted and salted, roasted and unsalted, not roasted and salted or not roasted and unsalted and on and on. Another stall selling every edible flower imaginable; violets, Rose petals, Calendula and Lavender. Crystallised petals. Fresh petals. Pickled flowers. Simply stunning. 

And who could forget the kids? The Play grounds also amazingly creative and inspiring such as this large whale jungle-gym (yes that is mademoiselle Betsy) or below, the large octopus swing with its tentacles supporting a large basket swing. All carved out of wood and set amongst a treed garden with many Australia natives, including a flowering Cootamundra wattle.

About a dozen of these streetlights adorned this part of the arts area too. Very striking design and impressive appeal.