We
drove along the coast through Roquebrune Cap Martin and up
into the hills to Eze. Eze is full of winding streets, narrow
alleys - and steep steps. We made it about half-way up, as
far as the Chapelle des Penitents Blanc (which was shut) but
decided against the full ascent to the ruined castle and Jardin
Exotique on the summit. The Chapelle is said to have an image
of Christ smiling as he looks down from the cross, but from
the distance we were, it was not possible to confirm his expression.
In
the steep ascent up to the old village Matthew walked well,
but James attempted to leap into the pushchair at any opportunity,
even just as we were lifting it up some steps. That said,
they both did well in the high temperatures and strong sun,
resting every now and again on the steps for the obligatory
photograph.
Back
down in the town we found a friendly baker, who was happy
for us to eat his sandwiches, plus fruit from the grocers
opposite, and our own drinks, at tables outside his bakery.
Elsewhere in Eze we had found the shop keepers less friendly.
At the glass makers (where no glass was being made) we were
very careful to ensure James and Matthew touched only the
cheaper objects, and then only under supervision. However,
the staff still could not resist a 'ne touche pas' as Matthew
touched the outside of a display cabinet. Matthew's grasp
of French does not, unfortunately, stretch this far.