Nice- Day 1 & 2

Another train journey under our belt from Toulon to Nice, a majority of it along the sea front.
Our apartment is a 2min walk from Nice Beach in the heart of old Nice. Nice is all about the water, most activities centre around being on, in or above the water. You can rent a lounger for a day for 36 Euro ($70) or 30 Euro for half day, a towel is 7 Euro and an umbrella is 14. We passed on all that and lay on our towels on the free beach.
The beach is rocky and the ocean is small pebbles, unless you wear your sandals into the water it is very hard on your feet. We got a lot of amusement watching people creeping their way in and out of the ocean.
My first foray into the water did not go well, there is a steep drop off into the water and the waves were big and strong on our first day. I was beside a lady holding her child, about 3yrs, when a wave hit them and the child went in and under, I grabbed his arm and pulled him out, his Mother and Grandmother were distraught. I carried on only to be hit by a wave which downed me and washed me round and round, hurt my wrist a bit in the fall but otherwise the only thing hurt was my pride. Neil managed to fight his way in and enjoy the water.
Beside us a boat was towing a parachute with usually 2 or 3 people attached underneath, the driver did an excellent job landing them on the beach in exactly the right place (Video below)
We have now hit the 2 month mark of our trip and we would be lying if we said we weren’t tired. Nice is going to be our rest and rejuvenation spot for 4 nights before flying to Istanbul for an 11 day cruise.
Today we went for an explore around old Nice, just walking is the best way to discover delights. I have been into many Cathedrals and Neil did his best to steer me away from Bienvenue à la Cathédral in the heart of old Nice today but to no avail. This was such a surprise, the artwork and detailing was so intricate, with bays all around the Cathedral, each one different with incredible paintings. We stopped for a coffee at Chez Les Garçons Ségurane, not only did they have a flat white (first one for a long time) but they came with a delightful moustache shaped biscuit with a tiny one for Neil’s espresso, plus a ginger cake. I love the detail that the French put into their food.
After visiting yet another market, buying a small watercolour painting which the artist signed personally, getting some fresh fruit & olives we headed home, hot and sweaty.
Back to the beach for another swim, this time the waves were much better behaved and we both had a lovely swim. I must say we are definitely getting a tan, you don’t burn here like you do at home.
Today we had a late lunch at a lovely restaurant beside our apartment, Each dish is served in a bamboo container so the flavours do not all intermingle, you can choose how to eat them. Best part, using the slices of baguette that you get with every meal to wipe up the delicious juices when you are finished. This is something I am going to do at home using my sourdough. I am going to branch out into baguette making! Plus make Chicken Parmentier like I had today, yum.Read more