An afternoon stroll around Lyon unearthed some historical facts about our new city.

Firstly we spotted this in Rue de la Republique.

In 1894 the French president was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist.

He was a popular president and had just said he would not seek re-election when his assassin struck.

Then we discovered the patron Saint of Lyon – St Bonaventure. The church that bears his name was open for once and a very knowledgable helper gave us a lesson on the former Cardinal.

Bonaventure played a key role in Pope Gregory X becoming Pope and was rewarded for his efforts by being made Cardinal of Albano.

He then took part in the Second Council of Lyon in 1274. He helped with the unification of the Greek and Latin churches, but then he suddenly died under suspicious circumstances.

There is a statue of St Bonaventure in the church made of papier-mâché which used to be paraded around Lyon on 15 July. Apparently it doesn’t happen any more which is a shame. I would have liked to have seen that.

One week on and we have now unpacked most things, got rid of most of the boxes and got the flat feeling a bit more like home.

Et la cave est un peu moins vide.

Look what we spotted a few doors down from our new flat – almost another Heery. Or are my eyes playing tricks on me. Might need an optician.

With the arrival of all our possessions, it meant I could cycle to work on my own bike instead of the heavy Vélo’v rental bikes.

It was lovely zooming along the banks of the Rhône as light as a feather.

As I neared Euronews I did come across this obstacle – a van wedged under the tunnel.

It also meant I got to park my bike in the underground car park beneath the Euronews building. I made sure my pass was updated to open the gate back in August so I knew I could get in.

The problem, I discovered later, was how to get out. After spending a few minutes trying to work out how to open the gate someone explained that you have to enter a code into this keypad.

I also learnt that in Lyon there is such a thing as a zebra crossing for bikes. At least that is what this appears to be.

I then learnt something else when I was stopped by the police on my way home. Apparently it is illegal to cycle while wearing headphones! I explained to the flic that I did not know and she warned me that there is a €50 fine. So no more listening to @fulhamish podcast on my way home.

My son tells me in the UK Queen Elizabeth II’s face is everywhere.

The same is not true in Lyon. But I did stumble across this impressive display.

It is time for the furniture to arrive. Not ideal given it’s the morning after the Queen’s death but I thought I could work from home at the start of the day.

Now remember the removal firm has not reserved any parking outside the building and there are no places.

So the first question the lovely removal man asks me is whether I can move my cars. I tell him; “I don’t have a car.”

They then ask me about my washing machine and drier – which we haven’t brought with us – so I begin to worry it isn‘t our load. But when I see my bike it obviously is.

The first few things come up the stairs while we wait for la grue – the lift that will bring most of it through the windows.

Amazingly we get a stroke of luck when a car moves and la grue grabs its spot.

The driver extends the crane up to our window but there is one small issue – that is not our window!

A discussion ensues and the man with la grue says that is the only window he can bring it through because of the trees. So can I knock on my neighbour’s door – who I have never met – and ask her if we can bring all our worldly possessions through her living room window?

Fortunately Patrizia is in and even more fortunately she says yes. It helps that the Queen died yesterday and she feels it is her duty to help an Englishman in distress.

After about three hours it is all in. As I go outside to get the last boxes for le cave the police turn up. They ask if we have a permit for the lift. I explain that I asked the removal firm three times to sort it out but they didn’t.

The female officer is angry and talks about a €1500 fine. Her colleague in the back asks me where I am from. Angleterre. “Ah toutes mes condoleances,” – he says. Once again, in the words of Paul Burrell, the Queen has come through for me.

Patrizia – who describes herself as une super voisine- invites us round for nibbles and drinks at 7pm. She laid on quite a spread. We are very lucky to have her.

Our lovely New Malden house has a new resident.

Our new tenants moved in today – becoming the second family to ever live in the house. I hope they enjoy it as much as we did.