Je suis un

Redacteur en chef contenus numeriques.

Here we go again

Today I woke up to torrential rain and then had to drive to the visa application centre in Wandsworth – again.

We were a bit late but confident that we had all the necessary documents.

By a quirk of circumstance we saw the same adviser as last time. “It’s good you came to me as I know your case already so it will be quicker”

Two hours 50 mins later we were finished. Let’s see if we get any further with it this time.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t get rejected tomorrow

A bientot

No sooner does Euronews announce my arrival – along with that of colleague and friend Stuart Duncan – than it is time for me to head back to the UK for a second attempt at getting a visa.

I got loads of lovely messages but no sooner had I replied to them that it was in a taxi and off to the airport.

My colleagues have promised to look after my plant

Next stop TLS visa services – wish me luck.

Les vues du velo

Eek! This blind spot sticker seems more deadly in French

J’ai reussi a mettre mon sac au dos dans le pannier

Parc de la Tete d’Or et les oies cendrees

I went for another stroll to Parc de la Tete d’Or and saw plenty of very tame oies cendrees. Some were even eating des gauffres.

And of course des cormorans.

The big reveal

So, do you remember this photo from the other night?

Well, I returned to Rue Polycarpe for a closer look. It is a gorgeous art shop with lots of images of Lyon featuring les oiseaux.

The owner told me she designs all of them.

So I bought this:

And then I saw this:

I told the owner I worked at Euronews and she told me she lives on the hill on the other side of the Saone but left the green cube out of this picture.

I said I thought the cormorant was the bird of Lyon as I’d seen so many of them. And I asked how you say cormorant in French. Cormoran.

I said au revoir and assured her I would be back. That’s two bird pictures in the flat and I’ve only been here three weeks.

Enfin, j’ai reussi

This morning- big news! I finally got to cycle to work after three failed attempts.

And it only took 28 minutes!

A night out

A colleague invited me out for a few drinks tonight so an evening stroll into town gave me the chance to admire some night-time views.

On my way to the venue, I walked past a shop selling some Lyon artwork. This one caught my eye.

Hard to make out but hopefully all will be revealed shortly

Views from my office – an occasional series

Velo non, inspecteurs oui

Another morning, another attempt to cycle to work. But I encountered a new issue.

I tried to restart the app but no joy. So yet another mad dash for the T1. I didn’t have a ticket and thought about risking travelling without but decided getting arrested wouldn’t be a good look with my new employees.

So I quickly bought a carnet of tickets and they printed out just in time to jump on the tram. I stamped my ticket and then was confronted by a phalanx of ticket inspectors. The first ones I had ever seen. But the buying a ticket decision turned out to be a great one.