Moving to France and adapting to life in Lyon
Another thing I have learnt about during my five months in France is the option in a restaurant of ordering a cafe gourmand.
It is a coffee with a selection of small deserts. Whoever invented it is a genius. I tried a couple while on holiday in Bouc-Bel-Air and they were delicious.
The last time I tried this il faisait froid so this time I knew it would at least be a little warmer.
We were spending the day with my niece and her daughter and a trip to the beach was in order. The weather didn’t want to play ball.
It was warmer than in March and I managed to swim for a bit longer. And of course we had a little helper with us.
What a week it’s been for birds. First there was a rouge-queue noir in the garden of our AirB&B. Then I went to the Camargue and saw some amazing birds.
They said all nine European herons were on site and I saw six of them – including the odd-looking Squacco heron, a bird with a mullet.
I also saw a couple of bee-eaters – what a gorgeous bird that is (no pics I’m afraid) – a glossy ibis, a black-winged stilt and a pair of storks along with their chicks on their nest.
And not forgetting the important bird I saw in Fuveau.
Did you know in France, 21 June is not only the longest day but it is also la fete de la musique? Live music venues pop up everywhere and everyone – and I mean everyone- goes out to listen to it.
We were near Aix so we went there for dinner and dancing. Wow – it was busy.
And there was live music everywhere- from small groups.
To bigger ones rocking out on stage.
Je ne crois pas mais c’est vrai. J’ai lu un livre entier en Francais.
Il s’appelle No et Moi et il parle d’une jeune fille qui devient amie avec une fille sans abri.
Je n’ai pas compris chaque mot mais le sens j’ai bien compris. Et j’ai appris beaucoup de nouveaux mots.
“Elle a cinquante piges bien tassé,” par example. Et j’adore ce phrase: “Je ne suis pas tombé du dernier RER.”
Le prochain livre sera un des ceux-ci.
Even on holiday in Aix-en-Provence there is still a reminder of my new home.
It’s Election Day again in France – this time the second round of the votes for the National Assembly.
I’m in Fuveau to see my niece and she went to cast her vote for the candidates for prime minister here – Jean-Luc Melenchon and Valerie Pécresse.
You can follow the results and key takeaways at 8pm here.
After four-and-a-half months working at Euronews, it felt like time for a holiday. We booked an Airbnb in Bouc Bel Air between Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles to enable us to see Cath’s sister and nieces and great niece.
I realise this might get annoying if you are stuck in England with a flight cancellation or bags lost in a sea of luggage at Heathrow. So please look away now if you don’t want to see pictures of sun, sea and swimming pools.
Another occasional series – here are some men on rooftops. This lot are on the rooftops in Cabries on the site of where Cath used to stay when she was a teenager with her penpal, Celine.
It is now a development of quite a few houses – named in the memory of Cath’s penpal’s brother who was killed in a car accident when he was three.
As our consultant starts looking on our behalf for flats that we could rent we have discussed areas where we would like to live.
It has boiled down to the 2eme arrondisement, the 6eme arrondisement and the area at the top of La Croix Rousse.
As we drove out of Lyon today to start a week-long holiday in Bouc Bel Air we drove past the area where there are lots of chemical plants. Maybe not there
Thrown to (the) Lyon 