The boys arrived back in France just in time. We let them take 2 minute showers and off we went to the Nice Jazz Festival,which apparently is world reknown, at least in Europe. We just wanted to hear Leonard Cohen. We had a little trouble getting through security with our bottle of wine and Joey's intense camera, so we lost the bottle of wine and then checked the camera. In theory this sounds like nothing, but then the guards, and I mean Nazi regime, wouldn't let me back into the Jazz Festival. It is hard to negotiate in a language where I speak Pig Latin, but eventually I got in and Leonard was all that we hoped he would be. And I hope the French security enjoyed our rose wine. We certainly enjoyed the 6 euro champagne.

It must be a theme, because we also got kicked out of the Negresco Hotel by a very angry security guard. We were touring the hotel after a wonderful dinner, and the guard told us to leave as we were disturbing the tranquillity of the guests. We said we were waiting for one more person in our party (Les was in the bathroom) and the security guard insisted we leave. We fought it out until Les finally sauntered back. We have been kicked out of worse places. We are definitely too loud for France.

On Wednesday, July 23, we got up nice and early and headed for Italy. We went to San Remo and had the most wonderful beach day, with cots, parasols, lunch and lots and lots of Italians. We were clearly the only English speakers on the beach and it was a lovely day. The ocean had breakers so we had a swimming pool and a dock and could swim all day without getting carried out to sea. An idyllic day where we stayed for six hours. We walked the streets of the Italian Riviera town and found a little restaurant for dinner where the waiter gave us complimentary bruschetta which was fantastic, and complimentary limoncello after dinner. Joey tried to teach me how to take a shot, but I kept getting it all over my French face. He looked horrified that I was so stunned. I just kept taking shots. And more shots.

Off to the beach in Antibes and perhaps Cannes. Tra la la la la.