Bienvenue National Rust
Michel de Vacri
It takes more than Brexit, the July 14 terrorist attack and the slump in the pound to prevent the spring trip of National Rust to my city. I was delighted that not only Alice, Daphne, Nancy and Robert with his two p/as Grania and Polly were coming here but also Lavinia and Simon to cover the Presidential election. We only miss Alan and Ivan who will be involved in the run-ins of Fulham and Brighton.
Robert has installed himself with his party in a large flat near the Chateau with commanding views over the Baie dea Anges. Daphne reported that in the middle of the night she heard an extremely loud noise. She was fearful it might be a terrorist attack or earthquake but it was Robert falling out of bed registering 8 on the Richter scale.
Yesterday on a warm sunny day in which the bay sparkled we strolled the Promenade. It might have been last year except for some flowers laid to commemorate those that lost their lives on July 14th. We were reminded of the ever present threat with the attack on the Lycee in Grasse and in the old town we saw a patrol of armed soldiers.
Nice was occupied during World War 2 by the Italians, Germans and Allies and changed hands 5 times. Much of its regeneration post War was due to Mayor Jean Medecin, one of the city’s man thoroughfares is named after him. There is a smaller copy of the Statue of Liberty on the Promenade to commemorate the reconstruction of the Quai des Etats Unis. One wonders if this pro-American sentiment will persist with Trump. That will depend on who wins in May. More don’t want Marine le Pen than do and after the 5 person debate Emmanuel Macron looks the likely winner though 33% of the electorate are undecided.
OGM Nice have had a marvellous season so I was surprised that we had nobody selected for the national squad. Walen Cyprien merited this and why so many players from Marseilles way below us in the league?
Passing by La Petite Maison in the late afternoon our group especially Robert were warmly greeted by its owner Nicole. I was as you say dumbstruck as her rudeness is legendary. PollY noted she has been ‘slaughtered ‘ on Tripadvisor so perhaps she had a charm offensive course. Daphne will be reviewing in due course but she said she was impressed.
Alice will be researching for he book on painters of the Cote d’Azur notably Chagall, Matisse, Miro, and Picasso which provides us with a good reason today to visit the Maight Foundation as part of Robert’s birthday celebrations. Bonne anniversarie Robert and a happy stay in our city to you and co-Rusters.