Monaco Historic Grand Prix
What a fantastic event the Historic Grand Prix held every two years in the Principality of Monaco is. 
I loved every moment of recording these fantastic classic racers going hard around the famous street circuit. I must remember to bring my earplugs next time though! Not only is it stimulating visually but the aural sensation is not to be forgotten either.
1,000 miles to go!
They say that if it rains for the start of the Mille Miglia, as it certainly did again this year, that it is going to be a lucky run. Obviously some people have more luck than others.
Ferrari 488 GTB
Last week I was a guest of Ferrari and paid a visit to the factory. Of course it was very impressive indeed and even more so was the fact that they entrusted me with a beautiful 488 GTB to go for a test drive above the hills of Maranello…
St Tropez
This year it is the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Riva Junior. What better way to celebrate than spend some time on the water in St Tropez at the meeting organised by the Riva Club de France for classic Riva boats. Brigitte Bardot used to drive one and it seems the tradition continues.
Visit from a Wallaby
This weekend it is the 10th Monaco Historic Grand Prix and I am very excited to be attending this event. Before heading for Europe though, this week when taking some rugby coaching at Scots College we had a surprise visit from Wallaby star and NSW Waratah captain, Michael Hooper. Needless to say the youngsters were almost as excited to meet the dashing flanker as I am to be in Monaco. I look forward to reporting on the historic racing and the other events I will be covering whilst in Europe.
Packing My Bags
I am getting excited about my forthcoming trip to Europe. Not only will I be covering the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique for the first time, I will also be attending the big classic car auctions taking place in the Principality on the same weekend. Then it is straight on for the Mille Miglia start in Brescia before heading back to Lake Como for the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza. The following week will see me in St Tropez for the Riva meeting and the Voiles Latines sailing. Its not all fun in the sun though as I do have to provide copy and images for a raft of magazines including Rewind and Unique Luxury of course, Volante, Invictus and New Zealand Classic Car, another title for which I now contribute as a feature writer on a regular monthly basis. Before packing my bags however, this weekend I will be covering the Australian National Maritime Museum’s 2016 Classic and Wooden Boat Festival where one of the star attractions will be the stunning 1924 luxury ketch Hurrica V featured in Baz Luhrmann’s film The Great Gatsby.
Best of British
The Queen Mary 2 was in Sydney Harbour this week and what better backdrop for me to photograph this fabulous Aston Martin Vantage. Formerly the property of Jodhi Meares (also pictured) and other well known custodians, this is one very special motorcar, the history of which you will be able to read up on soon in Unique Luxury Magazine inter alia.
New Novella
My new novella, “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”, has just been published by Vivid Publishing. If you live in Australia and are interested in ordering a copy please go to http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/jamesnicholls/
If you live elsewhere in the world (like most people do!) please contact me directly should you wish to place an order.
Review copies available upon request.
Happy Reading
Coming Up in 2016
2016 is already well under way and although unfortunately I did not make it to Paris for Retromobile earlier this month, I have some exciting editorial planned from around the world for the year ahead.
At this stage, listed below are just some the events which I will be delivering for Unique Luxury (Australia), Rewind (Singapore), Volante (UAE), Invictus (USA), and the host of other magazines that I contributed to last year including Perpsective (HK); Motorsport (UK); Octane (UK); The Spectator Australia; MotorBoat & Yachting (UK); Ocean (Aus); NZ Classic Car, Survivor Car (Aus); VivaRiva (Italy); Restored Car (Aus); Motor (Aus); ArteNavale (Italy); Jetgala (Singapore) :-
Monaco Historic Grand Prix
The Michelin historical archive, Clermont Ferrand
Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza
St Tropez Riva Revival Meeting
Le Violes Latines à St Tropez
‘The Floating Piers’ art installation by Christo & JeanneClaude on Lake Iseo
Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance
Bund Classic, Shanghai
Motorclassica, Melbourne
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Of course there will be plenty of other stories that will come along too, and I am always ready to accept commission work for new publications. I hope you will enjoy the year ahead as much as I am planning to.
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Buque Escuela Guayas
It was a beautiful day on Sydney Harbour to welcome in the Ecuadorean Naval training ship, The Guayas on its ten month Vuelta el Mundo. They were lucky though to arrive to such great weather after four days of continuous torrential rain, and I was lucky as it made for some great images.
Talking of good images, if you would like to view some of the better shots I have taken on my travels over the past few months I have recently updated the Image Gallery section on my website:-
https://marinamarini.com.au/image-gallery/ .
Simply click on the thumbnail if there is anything you want to have a closer look at.
