On Monday I got up at 3.30am to go to Gatwick airport with Mara
and Linda. We arrived in time so that Linda could get back home before the dart
charges kicked in. I checked in at new BA area in South Terminal. It was then
through FastTrack security before finding the lounge. It is a freshly built
one, but as usual they have lots of room, but only include a couple of toilets,
hence a queue. However, the food was good bacon rolls, cheese omelette rolls
and fruit, plus plenty of coffee.
The flight was leaving on time at 07.25 so boarded just after 7. I
was so full up I couldn't face the full English on board so slept during the
flight, it took about 1 hr 50 mins to Nice. The luggage was through quickly and
then I caught the bus into Nice. I was slightly surprised it was raining, but fortunately
the clouds quickly blew over. I couldn't get into the apartment I had rented
through Airbnb till 2pm so I had a wander around, visited the market, had a
couple of cups of coffee and then found Starbucks for a rest.
After 2pm I went to the apartment, it is a one bedroom place with
a mezzanine floor. It has everything I need coffee machine, microwave and
internet. However, the bedroom is on the mezzanine floor and I am too tall so
have to remember to duck or otherwise I will hit my head on the ceiling! The
bathroom is small and I have to squeeze into the shower, but it is fine for a
couple of days.
I unpacked my things and then had another wander around town, the
apartment is right in the centre which is good for visiting restaurants and
shops but the downside is the noise and the tram passes right outside.
I had a nice pizza for my tea before wandering back to the
apartment. I had hoped to watch the Chelsea game, but there was only some
French rubbish on the tv so watched the game by text on the BBC website.
On Tuesday I was going to go for a long run, but by the time I got
up it was too warm so I decided to go for a walk instead. I walked around the
old town, up the steep roads and steps to the castle and stopped for a coffee.
There were good views from the top, if you ignored the screaming kids. I walked
all day and must have covered 6-7 miles, through the back roads, narrow steps
and challenging hills. The sun was hot, about 22 degrees and it was rather warm
walking.
I got back to the apartment and had a rest. In the late afternoon
I decided to go for a run, as it had cooled down a bit, so a brisk 10k to the
airport and back along the promenade, trying to avoid walkers, cyclists and
pigeons. It was a pleasant run and at a steady pace. I then showered and spent
the evening reading and doing some sermon preparation.
On Wednesday I was up early, had my breakfast and then read the
paper. The weather was cooler today, only about 17-18 degrees so I planned a long
run across two countries. I left about 9.15am and jogged down to the promenade
and then followed the coast road, it was warm and very hilly. I had my rucksack
as I needed a change of clothing when I reached the other end in Monaco. It was
a scenic route and I ran past Nice Port, up the hill (and down again) to
Villefranche-sur-Mer then continued on the coast road to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. I had run just over six
miles by now and so time to stop for a coffee and watch the world go by. The
coffee cost more that the train ticket would have from Nice to Monaco. It was then back to running, up more hills, a
deviation up another hill as pedestrians were prohibited from the tunnel and
then through Cap-d’Ail and into Monaco.
It was disappointing there were no welcome to Monaco signs, I only
knew I was there as I recognised parts from before. There were road works on
the way in so managed to overtake a Ferrari! I had a run around Monaco and then
out the other side back into France, at least on the way back there were signs for
Monaco. As I had done 14 miles I decided to rest. I went to the beach and used
the shower, they have them on all the public beaches, but it was very cold
water. I then sat on the beach to dry off, before putting my clean clothes on.
The Grand Prix is here in a couple of weeks, so they are very busy
putting up stands, barriers, signs etc – so it was very noisy and nowhere to
sit and enjoy the sun. I had a walk round, found my favourite Starbucks and
enjoyed a cappuccino and the view.
I was going to get the train back to Nice and I remembered from
last time you had to go up some steps to reach it. There were no sign posts but
plenty of steps, so I climbed, and climbed and reached the top – to realise I
was back in France at the top of the hill. It did give you good views of
Monaco. So I had to make my way back down again and eventually found a sign for
the station. There was a lift down to the station or some stairs. I took the
stairs, which was the wrong decision, it was 14 flights down to the platform.
I caught the train back to Nice, it took 23 minutes, slightly
quicker than running it. I then had a wander around Nice, stopped for a coffee
and relaxed. It had turned cloudy and not as warm but still t-shirt weather.
You can see some photos here (hopefully if link works)
Thursday was a very windy day, although still warm. I was up
early to drink coffee and read the paper. It was then time to tidy up and pack
my case, although most of it is dirty washing. I then walked down to the
seafront and walked towards the airport.
There are plenty of buses that go along the promenade towards the airport, so I
can stop at some stage and get a bus the rest of the way. I did stop for a last
coffee and watched people running into the wind. The problem with sitting outside is that most
people (it appears) smoke in France so finding
a smoke free place can be difficult.
I then caught the local bus to the airport, which is cheaper
than the direct one, and it goes along the same road, although slightly slower
and more stops. I arrived in time and checked in, London City here I come.
You can see some photos here (hopefully if link works)