27th May 2011

Got up early and set off on the bikes to cycle to St Raphael, we had worked out a route which was mostly on cycle tracks and by leaving at 9am it was a little cooler. The route was fairly flat and we only had to walk once we were in St Rafael and the cycle route finished. Found the station fairly easily and managed to find a bike stand to secure the bikes. The station was large and modern, and reasonably busy, but as we walked round to the ticket booths a very helpful clerk at a reserved booth asked us where we were going and motioned us to come over. We had forgotten it was the Monaco F1 this coming weekend and they had extra booths set up. The clerk found the cheapest return tickets for the three of to Monaco, 35 euros for a family ticket for Lynn and I, then a separate one for Sarah at 25 euros. Considering the distance we didn’t think this was bad. The trains were modern and on time with a great route along the coast. Some of the bays were wonderful, just what you’d expect from the south of France, lovely villas around the bay and up into the hillside. We went through Cannes and changed at Nice, only having to wait a few minutes. The yachts got bigger and bigger and the hillside villas more and more impressive.

We arrived in Monaco in a huge modern station that seems to stretch across half of Monaco and has several floors to it as well. The place was buzzing with F1 stands and the noise of the F1 cars screaming round the track, no matter where you were it sounded like they were coming down the road behind you. As it was practice day, it wasn’t as crowded as the weekend will be, so we could walk around easier. Lots of F1 supporters proudly wearing their passes around their necks and lots of men wearing the rich banker uniform, stripy shirt, tight casual trousers and loafers. We did see Sir Jackie Stewart striding purposely down towards the track advising the group of men following on the way it should be done! He was wearing his traditional green tartan trousers and hat, you certainly couldn’t miss him!

After lunch (4 euros for a can of coke!) we found a spot on the road to the Palace from which you could see the tunnel the drivers use to walk to the pit lane, as well as a couple of bends at the entrance to the pit lane. We recognised Button, Hamilton, Alonso & Massa but were too far away to identify the others. Still it was great to see them scream round the bends! We wandered around trying to get to the famous Casino, but all the roads seemed closed off due to the F1 route. We did get glimpses of the cars wizzing past and Lynn saw Kobiashi (her driver in the sweep stake!). At one point we came round a corner to enter a square with trees and bushes etc, as well as two very old and expensive looking hotels situated opposite each other. The doormen were in very smart uniforms and were constantly running about taking and fetching the guests cars and what cars they were! Ferraris, Porsche, Bently’s all very expensive looking with personalised registrations. Outside one was a top of the range Audi sports car and it looked ordinary! Coming and going were a number of older men who had obviously brought their young, slim and very attractive nieces to see the grand prix, who said family values have disappeared! Obviously age and waist line diminish proportionately with each million you have in your bank account.

We sat in the small park at the rear of the casino (closest we could get) and had a cooling ice cream whilst watching the glitz and glamour, before wandering back to the train station checking a couple of estate agents on route. Forget the UK Lotto it would have to be the Euro millions! We could see why it is the playground for the rich but with the high rise apartments etc,  if we had the money we would choose one of the towns along the coast with the fantastic bays.