I thought I’d write a blog post before the bubble bursts on the most amazing 3 days (was only meant to be 2 but I had to extend!), which have more than ticked every box on my bucket list, to be at the Monaco Grand Prix, thanks to the worlds most amazing & generous host, my cousin Dominic.
I wrote a little bucket list whilst on my sabbatical to avoid getting back into the same old and to always have something super fun to aim for or look forward to, that’s why we work after all!
So last Friday I hopped on the packed BA flight to Nice with a bulging suitcase (who knows what’s in store in Monaco!). Despite an hours delay on the Tarmac at LGW and my travel buddy Tim missing his flight due to chaos on M25, I made a swift exit at Nice airport to the magical beach front of Paloma Restaurant in time for a chilled glass of Meursault and a warm family welcome from Miranda & Dominic. Fellow traveller Tim arrived shortly after (the super talents producer of Harry Potter films amongst others). We tucked into the most wonderful foie gras followed by fresh sea bass. After a short taxi ride back into Monaco we continued to enjoy some seriously special wine on the balcony till the wee hours, always get way over excited on the first night and was unable to resist the endless flowing divine wine.
It wasn’t until breakfast that the weekend drama unfolded, Tim left his mobile in the taxi from the night before. Who knew you could have such an adventure over Grand Prix weekend chasing a stolen mobile phone around Monaco thank to Track my Phone app! It transpired via detective skills the temporary owner was a “professional” lady working the streets/boats of Monaco and having spoken to her (on the stolen phone) she demanded a Grand Prix ticket in return for the phone! Having followed her tracks around the yacht parties and most of Monaco and finally talking to her again & tell her we were tracking her every move she was freaked out big time, thought we were the FBI! The phone was finally returned by an interesting character for the small fee of €60 cash!
Saturday we tottered down to Port D’Ail to meet Punch our boat for the day organised by Geoffrey, a lovely motor boat (maybe giving off a little too many fumes) which took us along the stunning coast line to Anjuna Beach, our lunch spot. We also had lunch with Remy & Valerie of Chateau d’ Estoublon, a vineyard and olive oil farm based in Provence, their oil is sold in Chanel bottles no less, stocked at F&M, Selfridges etc.
What a spot, what a lunch, what an atmos, what a cool reggae band……WOW! We kicked off with a goldfish bowl of champagne on ice with a twist of orange peel, a ton of Ott rose and the most stunning food, giant baskets of fresh crudités, saucisson, cheese, anchovy paste followed by salt baked sea bass like I’ve never tasted before, just exquisite. Miranda went to the ultimate hangover cure, gourmet burger with foie gras & truffle before she had to head off back to Newbury-sniff sniff.
On our boat ride back to Monaco we passed Melnichenko’s yacht, ‘A’, 119 metres long and weighs 5959 gross tons. The Russian tycoon, who is worth nearly £9 billion also has a slightly smaller one in the same design so he can get closer to the shore! The interiors are designed by Philippe Starck.
Back in Monaco we had a 10mins turnaround before hopping into Dominic’s 1937 Bentley to take on a lap of the Grand Prix track cheered on by numerous people admiring the beauty. Then an obligatory G&T in grand Cafe de Paris & a tour of the yachts all pumping with live music and queues of insane heels lined up on the jetty.
Back at chez Dominic, he spoilt us with dinner and the most incredible 2011 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Diamond Jubilee to start, followed by an exquisite burgundy, Volnay Clos Des Chenes 1967 (can’t begin to tell you how AMAZING this tasted), followed by its younger brother 2012 to accompany our cheese.
Sunday I woke to the sounds of choppers flying in & out of the helipad outside my bedroom window & the roaring of Ferrari & Porsche engines, could only mean Grand Prix day.
After breakfast on the balcony (damn good homemade smoothie) watching the helicopters as I sipped my tea & the torrential rain showers that were only adding to the excitement of the Grand Prix, we headed through the packed streets all buzzing in anticipation to our amazing lunch/viewing spot.
Our spot for the afternoon was trackside right on the bend at Quai des Artistes where we were greeted by a table laden with Rose, White & Red vino, a spread of the best French food you can imagine, oysters, foie gras, beef Wellington (wrapped in brioche no less), seafood platters and more! I was in heaven, my bucket list had been officially blown out the water as had my healthy Kamalaya regime!
Our lunch team included the gang from yesterday as well as the addition of Freddie (an artist) and Alex (super yacht broker). The stories of his clients were astounding, who knew these mega tycoons had body doubles…..yes someone employed to be on their boat ready to be operated on should the boss need a new kidney, lung, heart, yes really! These boats have surgeons onboard and operating theatres!
We saw the GP drivers mount their parade lorry, Hamilton, what a tool, cans on, ignoring everyone sitting by himself…..but whatever he was listening to lead him to victory & the fastest lap ever on the Monaco circuit, 1 min 17 sec.
76 lapse, it was mesmerising and the heart pumping sounds as they sped around our corner as well as two incidences right before our eyes made it super gripping.
Apres racing kicked off as we hit Slammers a fun bar with a live guitarist pumping out singsong tunes to a packed street party, whilst we switched to pints of cider…..a temporary welcome break from rose!
Then we hit Michelangelo Restaurant overlooking the marina and the backdrop of the Royal residence. It was THE PLACE to be, Patrick Dempsey of Greys Amatomy (I will now be watching ❤️!) sitting next door to us as well as a whole F1 party inc David Coulthard & DANIEL RICCIARDO. Someone who I was convinced was Chris Moyles was parading around with his chest out and thrust a permanent marker into my hand, so I might just have drawn a love heart on his chest next to Ricciardo’s signature (yes he’d had one too many)! After being invited to Biebers & Flavio’s late night do we actually decided to call it quits, 12 + hrs on the liquid was enough!
I forgot to mention I was due to fly back on Sunday night after the race, but when in Monaco and a bank holiday Monday the following day I had to stay an extra 24 hrs! After all apparently it all happens on the Monday and it’s also near impossible to access a table at Anjuna for the post Grand Prix lunch bash, but thanks to D we had the best table in the house, next to Coulthard and a stones throw away from Eddie Jordan & Dragon Duncan!
Live roaming music from The Troubadours, girls with snakes & a fly past added some extra surprise to lunch.
And close up magic too with yours truly taking on the job of Debbie McGee on the stage whilst surrounded by live snakes to be levitated in front of possibly the most wealth audience from the world of F1 possible! They gave me a good cheer at least!
Sadly the fun all had to end, the airport was calling and the bubble had to burst. A quick coffee & cigar for the boys.
But truly one of the most surreal, magical, gourmet, special weekends of my life, not sure anything will ever top this. Thank you Dominic & Miranda, the best weekend, so much more than I could ever have imagined. I might just be back again soon to live the dream again!
One super happy, very lucky & possibly a few pounds heavier lady! #bucketlist ✔️😁
C x
clurlu 