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Woolly was up with the birds, showered and dressed in his bow tie, we checked his temperature and double checked that he was still the same Woolly….
Woolly says – I was really excited about our adventures today, into a Principality and another flag for the blog. Having decided to take the train, Ian had a quiet word with Ollie who was sad not to be joining us, we waved him goodbye and walked the few minutes to the station. There was an impressive queue of Americans waiting for tickets so we joined the line, but the Americans all started leaving which left us only two away from the counter. The information board was flashing red, a 40 minute delay due to ‘personal accident’, no problem we thought and we collected our ticket and handed over the 28 Euros for the fares (approximately £26.40 GBP). The train duly arrived and we seated ourselves. The journey should have taken 50 minutes but due to ‘engine problems’ at Nice it ended up being an hour and a half. I happily dosed while Ian and Jo watched the people scurrying by. Off we went finally and before we knew it we
heard the announcement for Monaco.
The train journey was a bit tedious but once we had arrived and ascended the lifts and escalators we found ourselves outside and had the first view of the city. Most impressive…..
Woolly says – it was mind-boggling, I could see the yachts in the harbour, the palace, apartment blocks everywhere and seated in the bay was the bright blue med, wonderful. I did feel a little over dressed as everyone seemed to be in shorts and T. Shirts, where were the chic sophisticated people I wondered! We started to walk down to the harbour with Ian pointing out where the Grand Prix circuit would have been run only a few short weeks ago. Workman were still clearing the stands, pits and the collision barriers, I wish I had remembered to bring my skateboard. Walking round the harbour put St Tropez’s yachts to shame, these were bigger than houses, one even had a helicopter on its stern, now that’s the ship for me.
Once Woolly had finished drooling over the yachts we strolled around the bay and towards the Oceanic museum and the City tour train.
Woolly was trembling with excitement, we had elected to take this little train rather than try to walk the whole of the city which with the temperature now in the 30’s was a sensible plan. We paid our 7 Euro each (approximately £5.90 GBP) and hopped on board to be joined by a group of Japanese. With headphones on and a toot of the horn we were off.
Woolly says – it was wonderful, we re-visited the harbour while the lady told us that the Grimaldi’s had reigned over Monaco since the 12
th Century and that each Prince had added more, to make it a prosperous and financially secure country in its own right. As we reached the famous tunnel that is seen on every Grand Prix, she told us that the race had been held here since the 1930’s and was considered to be one of the safest courses, I loved it and could imagine racing through in my formula one car. Onto the famous Monte Carlo Casino, with the smart cars and smart suits popping in for a quick roll of the dice, now I felt dressed for the occasion. Round the streets we went
with Cartier rubbing shoulders with Gucci, oh the life.
With Woolly sighing at the visions before him we started up the hill to the Royal Palace where the train stopped and we watched the guards patrolling, there seemed to be lots of police standing around doing nothing and the lady on the tape informed us that for every 60 residents there is one police officer, wow I bet they feel pretty safe living here. The flag was up on the palace which meant that Prince Albert was in residence.
Woolly says – I looked very hard at all the windows but couldn’t see him, I waved just in case. Past the cathedral where all the Royalty has been married, baptised and buried and back we found ourselves at the start again. It was well worth our Euro’s and saved miles of walking, opting for a drink and a bit of shopping we meandered back towards the Palace, I found myself a rather natty T Shirt before we paid 9 Euros (approximately £7.90 GBP) for two chocolate crepes and a medium sized sprite to share. Ian led us back to the train station, I was
reluctant to leave, it’s a delightful place, busy and noisy but with a charm of its own.
The platform was busy and the train when it arrived was full, notwithstanding everyone squeezed on and we sped out of Monaco pressed slightly too closely to a crowd of strangers. What a great day and definitely one that we would all repeat, once our feet have recovered!
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