20.10 - Day 279 - Roquebrune-Cap-Martin to Cabannes via Monaco, FRA

Sunday 20th October - Roquebrune-Cap-Martin - Cabannes, France (Day 279)

Only after arriving at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin did we realise just how close to Monaco we were - we could see the high rises as we descended down off the motorway yesterday. 

It's only a 7 minute train ride away - so short I actually investigate driving two stops further away just to make the train journey longer - but logic prevails and after Seb has rushed for a solo swim we check out of Residence Bella Vista and hop on the train. 

Many moons ago Kate and I visited Monaco as part of a southern France holiday and it’s fair to say the cars are still just as flash and the boats gaudy or glorious depending on your view. 

We didn’t make it to the Princes Palace though, which is where we headed, joining a decent crowd to watch the Changing of the Guard at 11:55 am. 

Unusually, the aviator sunglass wearing policeman ushers kids to come to the front and sit on the floor while Kate and I stand three rows back (and appreciate being taller). 

A four man band brings out the new guards and after some ‘Attention!’ and ‘Present Arms!’ the crisp white clad of guards switch over for the day. 

Looking down on the harbour Sienna picks her desired boat which by the time we get to sea level at the harbour is an eight storey monster, so she downgrades her pick to a more ‘basic’ three storey yacht. 

Through Larvotto Tunnel we walk - kudos to Daniel and Maggie for knowing our location from one photo inside an otherwise nondescript tunnel - to the Fairmont Hairpin, a downward sloping 180 degree turn famous from the Monaco Grand Prix. 

As cars costing more than our entire year of travelling budget cruise past, we sit and eat our homemade wraps. Is there a message in that? 

Anyway, Monaco was good for a few hours, its F1 heritage helping. 

A world away from Monaco - we can now say we’ve visited the smallest and second smallest countries in the world - is Cabannes, a two hour drive West, just south of Avignon. Here we can settle for four nights after three days on the move.