The Prof. and I took off on a hike in the area of Théoule-sur-Mer, to the west of Nice, the other day -- our first hike in a very, very long time. We've started looking for new outdoor adventures around the area and have taken a few idea from the site RandOxygene. Here are a few images from the Circuit de l'Aiguille, where I'm now planning to take my mom when she finally gets here. Not only are there plenty of interesting Mediterranean houses to look at (my mother's love of architecture can sometimes include politely peering over the backs of fences), but the mimosa trees are also in full canary bloom right now. The funny pipe-cleaner flowers remind me of those yellow cheezie-like things we used to eat in front of the TV as kids, which makes me hungry in some weird, disgusting way, but they're also kind of magical to look at. I'd only seen one tree at a time before, but on the sides of these hills, there were hundreds.
At the end of the hike (or in the middle, because we still had to find our way back), we were surprised to come upon a huge, 12-metre monument tucked in among mimosa trees: Notre Dame d'Afrique, a replica of an Algerian statue depicting a black Virgin Mary.
(ps. Cheezies are Canadian ... I just learned that searching for the link. It's strange how much you can learn about your own country while abroad.)
Didn't know they were Canadian. I LOVE Cheezies. Oh, they're so good! Anyway, thanks for the tidbit; I didn't know the tree was a mimosa tree. We have one by the lower entrance and I really like it. It's good to know what it's called.
Tanya: you can see more of them at the Fete du Mimosa near us on Feb. 18: http://www.ot-mandelieu.fr/mandelieu/animations_mandelieu_la_napoule/Fete_du_Mimosa/Fete_mimosa_index.html
I've never been, but from the pictures it seems that the flowers also come in human form.
Didn't know they were Canadian. I LOVE Cheezies. Oh, they're so good!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks for the tidbit; I didn't know the tree was a mimosa tree. We have one by the lower entrance and I really like it. It's good to know what it's called.
Tanya: you can see more of them at the Fete du Mimosa near us on Feb. 18: http://www.ot-mandelieu.fr/mandelieu/animations_mandelieu_la_napoule/Fete_du_Mimosa/Fete_mimosa_index.html
ReplyDeleteI've never been, but from the pictures it seems that the flowers also come in human form.