Frosty mornings have been heralding some exceptional weather lately and, while time has not permitted me to enjoy longer than ten minute breaks, it is warm enough to eat lunch outside by the pool. Annoying computer problems and frustrating breaches to our internet connection these past few days while working on the February issue of AMB Cote d'Azur meant I found myself walking around the garden more often than normal: not so much for inspiration but to pull my hair out.

Though they may be small walks, I am always followed by my faithful furries ever hopeful that may be this time mum will stay out longer. While my mind continues to fume about the idiosyncrasies of computers, mother nature has a way of tugging me out of my little world to show me life's bigger picture, and so calming me in the process. Nudge, nudge she tells me: Look! So I do and marvel at life again. Our crocuses are in bloom, as are our tiny wild violets, both the white and blue ones. Our daffodil's are just about to burst into flower and our two young mimosa trees are turning a soft golden yellow, their scent wafting through the garden, if only I paid attention. There's much more rustling going on in the trees and bushes and a couple of blue tits are nesting already in the little birdhouse Nigel placed on the wall of our patio a few years ago. Not only do they have a room with a view but it also comes with views over our pool and towards the hills beyond.

Another room with a view has just recently been sold. Picasso's mansion in Mougins went for the princely sum of 10 million euros. Its been purchased by an unnamed 40 year-old Belgian art dealer who will restore not just the mansion itself but the guardian's house and another building, as well as bringing some much TLC to the park. I had no idea it had been abandoned by his daughter after Picasso's wife, Jacqueline, committed suicide in 1986. The property will be renamed l'Antre du Minotaure (the Minotaur's Den).

Getting not so much as a facelift but more of an uplift to World Heritage Status is Le Corbusier's log cabin in Roquebrune-Cap Martin. It seems that this 3.66m x 3.66m 'cabanon' could become the Alpes-Maritimes' first World Heritage Site. This is great news and I for one am delighted. Corbusier's cabanon will become the fourth WHS in the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur region; the other three being the Roman and Romanesque architecture of Arles, the Roman theatre and triumphal arch in Orange and the historic centre of Avignon.

Who is getting a facelift is Marianne. This little lady with her traditional red Phrygian cap, is to undergo a new look on French stamps from July this year. President Sarkozy has accepted a design by the French illustrator Yves Beaujard, following a competition launched by La Poste in October. Marianne will now appear surrounded by a number of stars, suggestive of President Sarkozy's values towards the European Union.

And lastly, talking of lifts, I thought you might all enjoy viewing this very remarkable footage which I received today from a friend in the States. The song, "You're not heavy, you're my brother" comes to mind. Enjoy for it is awesome. Click here for a touch of circus magic (with sound).