15 August landing of General Dwight D. Eisenhower

General Dwitht D. Eisenhower and the Americans landed here at le Dramont to liberate the French 16 August.

The Second World War was to see this area, the Corniche dOr used first of all by the retreating French army, fleeing from Menton before the Italian invasion in June 1940, then serving as a border under the Occupation between military no-go areas, before the general evacuation preceding the 1944 landings of General Eisenhower and his army. Each 15 August there is a cermony at the memorial in memory of the liberation by Americans.

Tour de France 27 July 2008

Spain's Carlos Sastre, arrives in Paris this afternoon victorious after 3 weeks tour through France. He retained the yellow jersey since l'Alpe d'Huez. This was Carlos Sastre's 1st Tour de France. It is my opinion that these men are the real athletics, enduring the cold, wet, heat, thousands of kilometers of mountains, winding and narrow roads. It is quite a sight as all these many bikers enter the Champs Elysee. I might add they are fewer that completed the race than that entered 3 weeks ago. It is a splendid sight.

Bastille Day-feu d'artifice

Just as every 14 July we celebrate
Bastille Day with friends. The city of Saint Raphael puts on a spectacular display of fireworks for us. We are fortunately to have a front row view from our terrace. After dinner 10 friends, adults and children, arrived for the fireworks. There was dancing at Place Coullet (square in the center of town) with Roland Saunier's orchestra. Earlier everyone was in agreement to participate however after dinner, champagne and the fireworks it was midnight and what seemed like a good idea was just that. Everyone was happy to head back home or to their hotel.

13 July 2008

The market was over run with tourist and locals preparing for Bastille Day that I was lucky to get this photo of the flower stand.

On the eve of the 219th year of France's Independence I just returned from the market. The photo is of the Fishmonger who longs to go to America. He wants to rent a Harley and travel A1A through Saint Augustine to Miami and eventually travel on Route 66 like Johnny Halladay did a few years ago. (Johnny Halladay is for France what Elvis Presley is for America) only difference is that Johnny is still rocking. I bought a nice selection of seafood, calamara, moules, & crevette for tomorrow's Paella. (The market is closed on Monday). We are expecting 8 for dinner. Annette and Jean is in charge of the dessert and Champagne, Alice is coming in from Italy with Italian ham and cheese. The rest is up to me. After 25 years spent celebrating next door at l'hotel Excelsior we are happy to enjoy the our terrace which offers front row seating, better viewing and we avoid the crowds.

Jazz Festival

For 28 years the city of Saint Raphael has sponsored the International Competition of New Orleans Jazz. Throughout the city and along the sea there are podiums for the orchestras to alternate. We have the pleasure of enjoying these amateurs and professional musiciens of New Orleans Jazz during the day and in the evening from 9:00 to 11:00 right under our terrace. The grand prize and 2nd prize will be awarded Sunday evening at 9:00 at the Palais des Congres with Big Band Brass.

Happy Fourth of July!

Let us celebrate today and every day

our freedom, our pride, our country!
Happy Fourth of July!