It’s 28 October but what’s this I spy on my street?

The finest minds of Euronews went away for a two-day away day to a chateau in Beaujolais.

The location was fantastic, the weather was gorgeous and the work was interesting.

The word for away day in French seems to be retraite which I thought sounded very religious. But then someone pointed out that seminar is derived from seminary so I stopped laughing.

I’m off to Beaujolais for a two-day work away day. So no green cube for me today – but a great view of it as we drove out of town.

Merci Kristina et desolé boulangers – vous ne nous verrez pas pour quelques semaines.

We decided to take a trip to the Beaujolais region in a hire car to have lunch and look at some vineyards.

We followed a sign to a vineyard and, very fortunately, found it open. And within minutes we’re enjoying a private tasting.

It was Chateau des Pertonnieres from Dupeuble Pere et Fils. We tried some white Beaujolais, and various reds – all made with the Gamay grape.

They were all very nice – and Has demonstrated his wine-tasting expertise.

We then went for a delicious lunch in Oingt. And headed home looking forward to some more wine tasting in the evening.

Fortunately the domestic sparrow has a pink ring on her leg, making her that much easier to spot.

I like the – ce n’est pas une blague – line at the end.

Please, if you are in La Croix Rousse, keep your eyes open for le petit moineau.

Following the recommendation of none other than Michel Roux Jr as well as a friend of Has and Kristina’s we booked a meal at our first ever bouchon – Chez Paul.

Bouchons serve traditional Lyonnais cooking – which has earned the city the title of the gastronomic capital of France.

Bouchons – rumoured to be named after the straw that was hung outside to advertise their business to travellers – serves, it seems to me, a lot of meat and offal. So we thought we were at least prepared.

But it was still a bit unexpected to be given an enormous bowl of bacon to share and then the calves feet – pieds de veau.

The flavours of most things seemed to me to very vinegary and even the main courses were very basically presented. The desserts were a big bowl of prunes and apple purée and creme caramel which felt a bit school dinner-y.

I did get the chance to taste another local delicacy – cervelles de canut – which is silk workers’ brains. The dish is actually made of fromage blanc and chopped herbs. It wasn’t for me.

Not sure we’ll be back anytime soon but at least it was an experience.

On the first of August when I was cycling home from work I thought I saw a kingfisher fly into the bushes on the banks of the Rhône.

I didn’t get a 100% confirmation but the shape and flight made me sure it was a kingfisher. So I thought I would keep my eyes open over the coming days to try to get some confirmation.

Then today, I left work at lunchtime as we had friends staying and as I cycled past the same bush – not one but two kingfishers flew right past me. Absolutely beautiful.

They were too fast to get a photo of – I will try to stake them out soon.

So in the meantime, here is a picture of my kingfisher in New Malden.

Our very good friends Has and Kristina arrived in Lyon to claim the crown as our first non-family visitors from the UK.

We did some touristy things – up to Fourviere, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Vieux Lyon, some traboules.

It was great to see them and show them around our new home.

Look what arrived today – ma carte vitale!

After eight-and-a-half months I finally have it. Next time I go to the doctors or dentist or pharmacy I won’t need to fill out a feuille de soins. The refunds that I am due will happen automatically.

Amazing! And I had to go for some blood tests this morning and I was emailed the results by early afternoon. The French healthcare system is pretty impressive.