Shadow Shot Sunday 187 - From the roof of the Duomo - Milan

The sun came out, the shadows came out, and this was the view from the roof of the duomo onto the ant-sized crowds below....

And I loved the patterns and configurations the crowds made - black inkblots against a white paper background....

They almost look like hieroglyphics - some strange kind of writing on the page, musical notes on a score - I love it when the familiar is defamiliarised in this way through scale and perspective - and the sheer wonder of photographic imagery,,,,,

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!! And for more conventional shots and views of the Duomo, Milan, check out the preceding post!

On the roof of the Duomo - Milan

Milan does not have the immediate charm and appeal of other Italian cities (although it does hit the spot on the design and fashion, food and drink front), but one of its most hauntingly beautiful buildings is the Cathedral located in the heart of the city centre...

When the grey skies blow over, when the rain stops, and the clouds sail away, be sure to grab your chance and go up on the roof where a magical world of spires and gargoyles await....

Take your time tracing the gorgeous details of the sumptuous stonework...

And enjoy the beauty of the white stonework against those rich blue skies...

And be sure you are wearing the right shade of cobalt blue to match the skies!! - because seriously they do not happen often in Milan...

I will leave you with a final shot of the intense purity of those two contrasting colours....Enjoy!!

Coasting along the Croisette in Cannes....

Spending the day at the Cannes Film Festival, soaking up the star-studded ambience, was surprisingly a lot of fun - strolling along the Croisette, hanging out with the crowds outside the Martinez, indulging in a solid French Bistrot lunch, gazing out to sea whilst taking in all the interviews being conducted on the beach, and the success of getting into a screening of Ritesh Batra's "The Lunch Box" after an hour of queuing in the blustery cold - all added up to a memorable day well worth repeating. We didn't see many stars but here are a few quirky details on the edge of the festival that caught my attention....The photographer who has been coming to Cannes for sixty years to photograph the stars....

The forest of stepladders in front of the Palais - de rigeur for photographers needing that scoop....

the optimistic ever-hopeful film fans pleading for unwanted invitations into private screenings...

the septagenerian swimmer bracing himself for the sea and being swept up by the beautiful people  on the beach for an impromtu interview to feed the media....

the fashion....

the cars....

the stars....

the security....

the billboards...

and getting that all important red carpet ready for the next Premiere....

And don't you just love this year's iconic poster of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward...??

Not to mention the stunning setting for the Festival itself...

The Cannes Film Festival really can be a must for the ordinary film fan - Don't miss it!! But, wouldn't it be even better if there was more ordinary public access - more screenings for film fans and a people's choice Palme D'Or?? A vote here for greater democracy.......

Shadow Shot Sunday 186 - Promenade des Anglais

Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais on the seafront in Nice is popular with everyone, at any time of the day, but my favourite time is when the sun is setting, and the shadows are stretching out......

stretching out....

and stretching out.....

into their most elongated of forms.........

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!! In the meantime, I am resuming that stroll along the Promenade des Anglais....

Le Panier Marseillais.....

One of the nicest neighbourhoods to stroll through, and stop for lunch and a glass of rose is Le Panier, the old Greek city at the heart of Marseille. After the hustle and bustle of the old port, Le Panier is calm and tranquil with winding cobbled streets, steep steps, and narrow alleyways in washed-out bleached pastels....

And tucked away there are a host of quirky boutiques, artists' workshops, galleries, cafes and restaurants - a surprise around every corner....

When you have had your fill of wandering through and fully sampling the neighbourhood, take your pick from all the outdoor terraces to sit down and order a very tasty lunch...

We chose Le Panier Marseillais on the main square...

...and enjoy!! - both the food and the people-watching!!

And of course don't forget dessert!

Shadow Shot Sunday 185 - Monte Carlo, Monaco

Turn to the left for the Monegasque National Anthem.....

Turn to the right to welcome the new 2013 Monte Carlo Open tennis champion...Novak Djokovic

who dethroned Nadal and took the crown for the first time in his adopted home town of Monte Carlo, Monaco breaking Nadal's run of 8 consecutive wins......

There was some stunning play at both the semis and finals....although for the longest of times, we didn't think we could get to see the final due to some very heavy showers....

creating a whole new fashion trend - plastic bag chic....

But fortunately the storm passed over, the clouds parted, and the sun and shadows soon returned.....

Where else can you watch tennis and see such wonderful views over the sea and the mountains with cruise ships sailing smoothly behind the server's head?? 

I can highly recommend getting tickets for the Monte Carlo Tennis Open - small venue, big tennis stars, and a glorious setting - What's not to like?? For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday...

Free Festival of Flame and Fire....

Arriving late in Marseille last Friday night, we were greeted by huge crowds thronging the old port to enjoy the latest spectacle courtesy of its European Capital City of Culture status - the Festival of Flame. As you can see the old port was on fire with spectacular flaming installations which lit up the sky in a neon orange glow...

The city had the vibrant atmosphere of a New Year's Eve crowd (without the drunkenness or loutish behaviour!) just the warm and welcoming friendliness of the locals out having fun. So we took a ringside seat at one of the numerous bars lining the quay, ordered two glasses of rose (only 2 euros) and watched the show....

Marseille has a particularly dynamic calendar of arts events this year which will enhance its usual vibrant arts scene - this weekend for example you can see a ballet on the beach - of dancers and JCB diggers that is!! Don't miss this wonderful city - my favourite place in the whole of France!! More Marseille posts to follow........

Italian Riviera - Nervi

On a recent trip to Genoa and the Italian Riviera, I spent a delightful afternoon exploring Nervi, a fishing village now swallowed up by Genoa on its eastern edge. It has a charming harbour...

And a very scenic coastal path called Passiegetta Anita Garibaldi offering gorgeous views of the Ligurian Coast...

Nervi can easily be reached by train from either Principe or Brignole railway station (Genoa) in twenty five minutes - Enjoy!!