Riviera Royalty

Lord help us all, we're far too lacking in style/money/yachts/gold/class to be here. When I say 'we', I mean everyone else in my family group. When I say 'here', I mean Monte Carlo.

These were my thoughts as I wandered the streets of Monaco en famille, looking through my expensive sunglasses at the beautiful, rich and beautifully rich people of the prinicipality.

Oh yes folks, the 'tribu de travelling' has been hitting the Riviera these last few days - hence the lack of posting and commenting. I'm writing this from the Air France lounge at Nice airport, looking out over the med and the Nice beachfront. It's kind of exclusive, which is how I like it. It's also kind of classy, which is kind of the opposite of my family....

What can I tell you? I'm sure you can imagine the worst.

In an Alan kind of way, let's just do highlights and lowlights.

Highlight? The Fondation Maeght in St Paul de Vence. Lowlight? The rain that fell by the bucketload all through that particular day, causing us to seek refuge in the museum café (which had a leaking roof).

Highlight? The views over Monaco from the terrasse by the Casino. Lowlight? The American tourist who took a shine to my Mother on said terrasse and who invited her to 'see his cabin' when they got 'back on board'. My Mother had no idea what he was on about. She smiled, said "ooh that'd be lovely" and walked off.

Highlight? The lovely apartment that we rented. Very lovely, big balcony, comfy beds. Lowlight? Having my snoring Aunt in the room to the left of mine and my shagging cousin and husband in the room to the right. I bought earplugs on day two.

Highlight? The amazing food that we ate at every mealtime. Lowlight? The fact that my Mother ate chicken and chips every single time. Without fail. Even if it wasn't on the menu. Truly, these fine restaurants were wasted on her.

You get the picture, I'm sure.

The Riviera is a truly special place and we had some great times - we got to Cannes, Grasse, St Paul de Vence, Nice, Monaco and even over the border into Italy. I had a lovely time, but after a while I became desperate for a moment of my own company. To be tout seul. Just for five minutes. I kind of got bored of being the one who ordered every single meal, who had to ask everyy question in every shop, who decided where we went and where we ate every day. But then I know that everyone else appreciated this. At least, I hope they did...

Despite this moaning, it was a great trip. A trip with lots and lots going on and that, after a while, became like one of those long car journeys where you just look out of the window, enjoy the view and ignore everyone else in the vehicle....you know what I mean, I'm sure.

So now I'm Paris-bound. Taking the jet back to Orly and heading to my little apartment and to my own bed. I can't wait. A big sleep surely awaits.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm seeing the boy tonight?