Some of the haiku I wrote this week were tagged #haiku #humour #yoda and they were an amusing attempt at writing haiku as the character Yoda from Stars Wars might do, with his odd endearing manner of speaking and succinct wisdom.

Still, Cannes does have many a calm moment: sitting in cafés drinking tea or wine watching the world go by; walking along the Croisette in the early mornings or late evenings; just being at home watching the sun set over the Estérel hills.

A warm blustery west wind, Le Ponent, was blowing back and forth through my apartment, tapping and slamming doors and windows that refused to remain wedged open. The rustle of the trees below my balcony at times was the only sound to be heard.

Shawna Coronado is an avid gardener and green fiend. She’s probably one of the few who is not tweeting a marketing agenda on Twitter and actually says something about her life, hobbies, the environemnt, and her cute dog, Harry The Pug. Though Baka The Bichon is cuter IMHO

Now I’m no gardener. I have neither patience or temperament for it, plus allergies tends to put me off the idea. However, I still appreciate both tended and natural green spaces; the calm that can be found in a garden, park, or forest, away from the hustle and diesel of busy streets. I try to appreciate them when ever I can, particularly while out walking Baka.

The neighbourhood I live in Cannes (just below SuperCannes) has many green spaces, typically on the grounds of private homes and estates. In between them are many natural spaces in areas where it is very difficult to build like step ravines and gullies. I like these particular spaces, as they’re woody, shady, almost magical, as though they are home to Kami.

It was late Friday night and I had an unexpected visitor come to Cannes and drag me out to wonder about the Cannes Film Festival. We eventually ended up at Croisette 72 café opposite the Martinez hotel for drinks and people watching.

This past weekend the Cannes Film Festival parties were subdued compared to past years. I didn’t hear any music drift down from the hills of Cannes through the night. Normally the first weekend during the festival has several loud late night parties. It wouldn’t be so bad if they invited some of the neighbours, like me; if I’m going to be kept awake, I may as well have some fun.

Regardless whether the festival is on or not, the early spring mornings in Cannes around av. Isola Bella are very peaceful. Only the steady rhythm of birds as dawn’s light rises and the last remnants of Jasmine scents are carried by the mild chill air.

Later, while running, having just passed the Colline de Saint Michel on the boundary between Cannes and Vallauris, I noticed a solitaire poppy on the rough cut hill, while opposite it one could see the Mediterranean Sea. I was struck by an image of loneliness and beauty.

Along the route we walk is an old abandoned trolley line that climbs the hill to the old observatory tower and one time restaurant high above Cannes. Its rails hidden amongst the overgrowth of brush and weeds. Its a shame that the city hasn’t thought to convert the old line into a nature walk for hikers or mountain bikers. But then some segments of the trolley line have been reclaimed and blocked off by the residences it passes by. Oh well.

Shawna Coronado writes the Casual Gardner column and the Gardening Nude blog. I noticed this tweet from her last night and after reading the article, it inspired me to write about the memories of distant friends. I should know as mine are scattered the world over and I’m terrible about keeping in touch. But I still have the fond memories.

One distant old friend of mine from Bulgaria, Kathy L, I do keep in touch with by Skype. She was telling me last night about the awesome curry dinner she had recently. She even sent a photo, which just set my mouth to drooling (and you don’t want to drool over a keyboard; makes an awful mess). I do so love a good hot & spicy curry.

This Easter Sunday morning was very quiet, overcast grey, and a touch damp after the night’s rain. Me, all geared up for a morning 10Km run in warm-up pants, old tatty t-shirt, and wind breaker, is wearing sun glasses as I walk Baka along the quiet street.

One effect of wearing sun glasses on overcast days, is that colours like the bright green of budding leaves or pink blossoms of the Judas trees are just that more striking. And almost every where I looked I saw the pink blooms. This is an old pic of Judas tree in bloom as seen from the court yard of my building.

I just love April and May in Cannes.

It is also the best place to watch the summer fireworks. In Cannes and many other towns along the French Riviera, they have a fireworks competition throughout the summer. The Carlton is dead centre of the event in Cannes and going there for dinner and the fireworks is a grand experience.

It does require some planning though, as parking is a nightmare and there is always crowds of people. When my parents lived here, we’d drive the car down early in the day and park it in a nearby garage, then return home by cab. In the evening we’d get a lift with friends or the domaine’s guardian back down. After the event we’d often stay and luxuriate at the restaurant, while the crowds and traffic dissipated.

These days I don’t live far by foot from the Croisette, so it is often a nice walk with Baka to the sea side. Sometimes he and I would go at the end of the Sunday afternoon and walk along for a bit and then stop in a café for a glass of wine and maybe a light snack.

Last night though was the last fireworks in Cannes for the summer and I did not attend. Opted to stay home after the large lunch I had had earlier. Also Baka probably wouldn’t enjoy the boom boom of the huge speakers playing music as the fireworks go boom boom in time. And last night must have been a grand show as the boom boom of the fireworks seemed to be exceptionally loud, even from my apartment and seemed to go on for a whole hour.

Alas with the last of the fireworks come soon the signs of summer’s end; cooler nights and breezes, the departure of the tourists (yeah), the return of kids to school (boo if you’re a kid, yeah if you’re a parent), the return of daily life in the streets. The south of France doesn’t have a distinct change of seasons like Canada and northern climates, with autumn colours and fall of the leaves. Summer here just fades into winter, as the sunset into night.

The population of Cannes, around 70000, is said to triple during the festival. So you can imagine that all the hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, etc. get a huge boost from the extra influx of people. But it also means lots of traffic problems as most of the Croisette is reduced from four to two lanes to make room for all the pavilions and horde of people looking to catch glimpses of celebrities. Parking becomes a nightmare, even in my neighbourhood, as attendees, shop employees, and tourists hunt for a spot and are willing to walk 20 to 30 minutes to the Palias de Festival. For myself, I try to avoid using my car so as not to lose my street side spot. There have been times when residents of my building, including myself, have had to park a kilometre further up the street, which is a real pain if you have groceries or equipment to bring in.

Probably what is more interesting about the Film Festival is not so much what happens during the day, but what goes on by night. The festival tends to be a week and a half of hob nobbing in bars, clubs, and exclusive parties by film industry notables, promoters, writers, actors, gossip mongers, and vile paparazzi. Even I went out clubbing on Saturday to be part of that collective energy, only to finally sleep after about 27 hours awake.

Many parties and special events have live music that carry on late into the night. You can hear the music from private parties hosted at luxury homes carry through the night in and around the hills of Cannes. Wonderful fun if you are invited, but difficult if you’re trying to sleep and have to work the next day.

My impression though of the festival this year appears to be a little more peaceful as I’ve not heard the typical late night buzz of past years, possibly due to the changing weather, possibly the authorities taking a harder line. Either way, I’m happier for it.

Yesterday’s late evening walk with Baka was particularly notable I thought, partly because of the full moon that could be seen shining above the thick dense clouds that appeared to be threatening to come in from the sea, but because of the silence; no cars or scooters, no one on the balconies of apartments, no music or sounds from open windows. Just a lovely moment of calm.