Delighted at the sterling progress I’ve made with the restructuring of AMB Cote d’Azur, I thought it was high-time I took time out from bashing away at my keyboard and went off to do some research instead. One of the new features for the website is going to be “Markets” and while nearly everybody has heard about the brilliant ones in Nice and Cannes, I thought it would be fun to visit each village along the French Riviera and write about their market too.

Yesterday I started with Mouans-Sartoux and today was the turn of Valbonne. There is something absolutely wonderful about French markets, not just their hustle and bustle, scents and aromas, but the way the vendors are so proud of their produce and go out of their way to make them attractive to buy. These vendors are the life and soul of the markets and enjoy enticing you with their fare: slivers of salami, slices of cheese or dices of fruit. Their laughter, good nature and wonderful banter only go to make these markets that much more entertaining.

Next week I plan on visiting a few more and, with camera in tow and my old side-kick Freddy with me on my adventures, I’m greatly looking forward to my series of outings. At this time of year the market stalls are simply brimming with wonderful summer produce: peaches, cherries, tomatoes, apricots, artichauts, strawberries, asparagus; in fact, at present, the list in endless.

While some markets seem to put the accent more on locally grown produce, others prefer to have clothes, shoes, provencal linen and tableware as their main attraction. But something they all have in common is Socca; and though Socca from Nice is by far the most famous, you’ll find a Socca vendor in each and every market place. Socca is made on a large round copper “pie tin” and cooked in a very hot wood-fired oven for about six minutes until the top is golden. I am not a great fan of Socca and to be honest, I’ve not met anyone who is (the recipe is very bland made as it is with chick-pea flour, water, olive oil, and a smidgen of salt and pepper) until, that is, this weekend. Nigel’s brother has been staying with us and, while out and about in St Tropez, ate his first ever Socca - and loved it. Mind you, he was visiting an outstanding magical place and anything there is going to be fantastic!

On a different note, it seems that the first forest fire occurred yesterday in the Var (we’re in the Alpes-Maritimes and quite safe) causing a fair bit of damage. While the UK may be experiencing extraordinary deluges of rain, we’ve been blessed with wonderful, hot weather. Forest fires (and their prevention) are taken very seriously here and bonfires have been prohibited since the beginning of May and our band of council men have been past strimming the roadsides and cutting back any dead wood. As the forecast is continued hot weather such precautions are wise.