Moving to France and adapting to life in Lyon
It was my birthday today. It was also my first day back at work. So I bought chocolate for my colleagues.
I completed a Duolingo milestone.
And when I finished work this was waiting for me at home.
And then a lovely meal at a local restaurant.
Pas mal.
I had some holiday to use up before the end of May so I took Monday off and we headed for Lac Miribel – a short drive from our flat.
It was our third lake of the long weekend and while smaller than the others no less fetching.
There was also a private area featuring a private beach – Plage du Morlet. It was €7.50 for a day. But somethings were forbidden.
Semi-French gag.
Today we took it easy and went for a stroll around Lyon. Here are a few images.
Today we headed to Lac Léman – or as it’s known in English Lake Geneva. This meant a new country for me and Cath – Switzerland.
The water in the lake was so clear that I could clearly see how a coot uses its feet to swim and how a great crested grebe swims underwater – it does breast stroke legs
There were plenty of boats in the harbour.
And the snow-capped mountains were never far away.
Then it was on round the lake to Evian – but not before a trip to a Swiss coffee/chocolate shop.
We drove for about an hour but Lac Léman was always there.
In Evian you can fill up your water bottle from the source for free. You just have to follow les gouttes.
The lake is 73km long so it’s no surprise it kept us company all day. Evian-les-bains is beautiful – we will definitely be back.
As it was the Ascension on Thursday it was a bank holiday in France. It is common practice for most people to take the Friday off work too to get a long weekend – it is known as faire le pont. Cath and I are keen on following local customs so we ont fait le pont aussi.
We booked a couple of nights in Aix-Les-Bains – an hour-and-a-half from Lyon with a huge lake called Lac Du Bourget. It is a spa town which Queen Victoria used to visit.
As we drove along the motorway we saw the usual array of buzzards but then, nesting high up on a post next to the motorway was a white stork – la cigogne blanche – a first for me. Her babies had better learn to fly properly first time.
Aix is very picturesque and our flat was right in the centre. After lunch we set out for the lake.
Today we drove to Vienne and had a look around the charming town with its impressive Roman past and remains.
Vienne became a major Roman colony under none other than Julius Caesar and eventually became a Roman provincial capital. The Roman remains are everywhere and very impressive.
And then just across the river is a huge Roman complex at Saint-Romain-en-Gal.
Today we had tickets to the Lyon ATP tennis final at Parc de la Tete d’Or.
It’s only a 30 minute walk from the house but Lyon is experiencing a vague de chaleur – a heat wave. It was 31 degrees today.
As Parc de la Tete d’Or has a flower garden and a zoo in it, there are some great sites on your way to the court.
We got to the temporary court built on the site of the velodrome.
Once in our seats we realised just how hot it was. 31 degrees with the sun directly overhead.
We were both hoping for a straight sets Cameron Norrie victory. The UK no 1 won the first but Cath had to leave – that’s how hot it was.
I stayed for the second set hoping for a swift victory- and Norrie had two match points at one stage. But he blew those and it went to a tie-break which he lost. I decided to leave then – not having too much faith in Norrie. But I should have had more because he won the decider in double- quick time, 6-1.
It was a great day – hot but great. Nice to see Lyon putting on such a well-organised event.
One thing I noticed while in London were the preparations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Despite having worked at the BBC for years I am so grateful that now in Lyon the royal celebrations will not loom quite so large.
Thrown to (the) Lyon 