Busy day today! Ava had a lie in until 7am which is really late for her. We had the bags all packed and clothes ready to go on so we could be out the door for 8am. Set off towards Monaco and got stuck in traffic getting into the city. We parked up and went to the Musee D’Oceanographique. The first thing we saw when we went in was a shark lagoon where you could touch baby sharks. They came right up to the surface of the water and loved playing in front of you. Ava wasn’t keen on putting her hand in but she loved watching us do it. 

Then we went downstairs to the aquarium. There was some really good displays. Ava loved looking at all the fish. She’s such a little sponge at the minute and was taking it all in. I just love seeing her getting excited learning about new things. She was getting tired after a couple of late nights recently so we left there and had a wander round the old town. Stopped for a quick lunch, Ava had a hot dog and we shared a toastie but I was chased by a seagull who obviously decided he wanted to share it so I was happy to give it up rather than be chased by him. From there we drove into Monte Carlo. I had visions of going to Cafe De Paris for maybe a coffee and a macaron or two but Ava fell asleep holding her hot dog covered in tomato ketchup and Tom was screaming through hunger/tiredness/who knows what so we abandoned that idea and headed towards the France/Italy border. Maybe next time I’ll come back without the children!! 

We arrived at San Remo and struggled to park. Ava was asleep so we sat in the car for a bit to let her get some rest after a few late nights. Then when she woke we headed to the old port and sat and had a coffee and an ice cream, (Mandarin sorbet for Ava). 

She was a very happy little girl, especially as she got a wafer in it too. We left there and drove a little further to a town called Ventimiglia. Everywhere we saw didn’t serve food until 7pm so we had a short walk into town to kill some time. We walked over a foot bridge over the river which had amazing views of the snow capped Alps. We watched the ducks and on the way back we fed them some bread after a lady in a shop we were in gave Ava a breadstick. She said  I’m a lucky girl mammy, that’s kind. Love her so much! 

Then we went to a local restaurant tucked out the way and had a delicious dinner. Ava had a pizza without cheese and loved it. I had a big bowl of spaghetti in pesto with loads of Parmesan which was lovely. Then a big plate of calamari and prawns. 

Back in the car for hour drive back over the border and into Cannes where frog and bear were waiting for their owner.