An Offer Accepted

 Between Christmas and New Year we went flat hunting and the first property we visited stole my heart.  A small apartment in Chalet des Rosiers—the house that Queen Victoria stayed in when she visited Menton— adjacent to the Jardin Botanique de Val Rahmeh. The estate agent showed us other properties but nothing could match it. With its own garden,  away from the hustle and bustle but within walking distance of the sea, we couldn’t imagine why it had not been snapped up (at the same time, feeling grateful that everyone else wants convenient, low maintenance).

Within a week we had made and offer and it has been accepted!.  Now the fun begins…





Beautiful frescoes
A garden to die for



? Writing Corner

1882





























A hint of a sea view

Living in Menton I have missed my family, friends, book group but I have not missed many things. Perhaps when I go back and start to work out what I will need for a more permanent move, the things that make up my life in England, will take on more importance. All that I have missed while have been away, has been my iron and having a bath.  I thought that I would miss more. I have concluded that I can bring the iron with me and if I feel the need to immerse myself in warm water, I have the whole of the Mediterranean...



As is my wont, I have been doing a bit more wandering around Menton.  I walked along to the lighthouse at the entrance to the small port and discovered that it was solar powered, perhaps not an idea to be taken on by British lighthouses!





On Saturday, I borrowed some secateurs (I was very thankful to discover that the word is the same in French) and spent an hour cutting back plants in my tiny patch of garden. Afterwards, my mind still very much on gardens, I set out to visit the Villa Hanbury situated in Italy, just before you get to Ventimiglia.  It is famed for its magnificent gardens, something I find difficult to resist.  It was not hard to find but the only parking was by the side of the road (a mountain road with all the associated complications).  I drove on up the road thinking I’d either find a nook to park in or somewhere to turn round.  I found neither.  I admired Grimaldi, both Inferiore and Superiore and within less than 3 minutes was back in Menton.  I tried once more with no success.  I didn’t want to drive around again in case the border police (of which there are many) were watching, so I went home to look at the website in case I had missed a multi story carpark somewhere.  The first thing that I found, was a review saying how tricky parking is but apparently the garden is worth visiting, if you are successful in finding a space.  I’ll try again on a weekday.


I was not going to defeated in my quest for a garden, so I waited until 12.30, when I knew that 90% of the cars would be off the road whilst their owners had lunch, and I headed for Serre de la Maddonne, a garden in Menton, towards Gorbio.  Their website assured me that there was a car park. There was, and it had lots of spaces. 

The garden was designed by Major Lawrence Johnston, an American who also designed and created the garden at Hidcote Manor (one of my parents' favourite National Trust gardens).

After buying my ticket and securing a map, I just wandered and wondered at the loveliness. Major Johnston set out to create his 'earthly paradise' .  I can't think of a better description.  It is very special.  I can’t wait to visit again in Spring, or Summer…











I finished the day by attending a talk by the president of  Mothers Of Africa (Monaco). A charity, based in Cardiff and Monaco, raising money for work in sub Saharan Africa to reduce maternal deaths, improve women's health and build schools for both boys and girls. As always at this sort of event I was inspired by the generosity and selflessness of the people involved and full of admiration for them.
https://www.mothers-of-africa.org/mothers-of-africa



I can't go without telling you what I've been reading.  An old favourite this time, I'll never tire of reading it: The Diary of a Provincial Lady by EM Delafield. First published in 1947, the life she describes bears no relation to my own, but her thoughts and observations about human nature could have been written today. 

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