Jour deux – J’ai raté le tram

Not the best start to my second day – I missed the tram. I had to apologise to my first meeting of the day as I was going to be 10 minutes late.

I will have to start leaving the flat a bit earlier- it shouldn’t be a problem as the daily morning deliveries at U Express wake me up at about 6am anyway.

At least my pass has been fixed.

I treated myself on the way home to a couple of treats from a local patisserie.

I accidentally bought a flan after asking what a delicious-looking chocolate cake was and not realising that the Boulanger was talking about a different pastry altogether. Ah well.

And I finally managed to have my first drink

Un noveau travail – Jour 1

Wearing my brand new shirt I was ready to go.

A brisk walk to the tram stop and then we are off. Although – we weren’t. It came to an immediate screeching halt and I crashed into a woman sitting down. She screeched in pain and then I noticed she had her arm in a sling. Je suis desolé, excusez-moi madame-was the best I could offer.

Was this a bad omen? If it was then there was a good one just round the corner.

Among the bits of information scrolling through the screens on the tram such as: Comment porter un masque, Le meteo and #ilovetcl Instagram pictures there was one about the birds to watch out for in Lyon.

Now that has got to be a good sign right? And then we were there – at the green cube.

Everyone was very welcoming but there’s a lot to get my head around.

At the end of the day my new pass was ready for collection.

Exploring Lyon

Today I have a day to myself before I start at Euronews on Tuesday so I head out to explore a bit of Lyon.

The upside down elephant, as I’m told it’s known

I think it’s safe to say that Lyon is a bit more attractive than New Malden. I hope no-one from the New Malden Neighbourhood Facebook group is reading this.

I finished my day by buying some booze for a long overdue drink after making a lasagne. But I was to be thwarted for a second day – no tire-bouchon or bottle opener in the apartment. Oh well, third time lucky.

Je suis arrivé

Here we are then, Lyon. After the shortest flight imaginable I’m here – and after a very expensive taxi journey – Sunday prices apparently – I have arrived at my new home.

In the lift there is an advertisement for some of the activities I could join

I need some essentials so nip out to the nearest supermarket that is open. One thing I particularly want is a glass of wine or beer. But..

No alcohol is sold on Sunday afternoon. Is that a Monoprix thing, a Lyon thing? I don’t think it’s a France thing. I have to make do with tea.

Le grand depart

Today’s the day. Heathrow Terminal 5. 1405. Packed for the first few weeks of my new role.

LFT negative, print out of a letter saying I’m coming to work (if needed).

Then..

And while sitting waiting to board one final – v generous – gift from my former colleagues. A gift voucher to spend in France.

Leaving my second home

Wonder what state the new stand will be in when I revisit?

My last game at Craven Cottage for a while. I will miss the place but will be following closely from Lyon. Today’s result didn’t go to plan but as fan Paul Parish collapsed in the Hammersmith End and later died, it didn’t really matter. I hope he enjoyed Mitro’s early goal.

I did get to hear a chant invented by one of my son’s (who wishes to remain anonymous) being sung by the Hammersmith End. It also made it into the papers!!

Au revoir to BBC friends

This evening I had a leaving do. Didn’t think it would be possible in a Covid world but about 40 of us had drinks and hugs in a central London pub. It was a lovely send off – people said and wrote nice things and I got a bit drunk.

Traditional fake front page gift – and an expensive bottle of whisky came home with me

Even better was at 11pm my son came to drive me home . That really is the end of BBC leaving dos now. From next week I will be a Euronews employee!

Resto advice from an expert

To mark my leaving the BBC, starting a new role at Euronews and Cath’s birthday, we went for dinner at Le Gavroche in central London.

After being treated to some aperitifs by Sean, a friend of our son’s who works in the kitchen, we ate some amazing dishes from the tasting menu.

A whisky sour and a gin fizz – delicious

Michel Roux Jr did his usual tour of the tables to say hello. I mentioned that we were moving to Lyon and he said it was his favourite French city. So naturally I asked him for some restaurant recommendations.

He returned shortly and gave me this:

Resto recommendations from Michel Roux Jr

Plenty to try there.

He said La Mere Brazier is amazing – but not cheap. Cath is already talking of booking us in for our wedding anniversary.

The news is out

I am now a Redacteur en Chef affecté au Numérique!

Euronews today released news of my arrival. The email is in both French and English so I was able to see the word numérique which I had learnt meant digital being used for real!

Very exciting. It was also good to see that I am:

un passionné d’ornithologie et un fervent supporter du Fulham FC.

That is important information for my new colleagues.

That descalated quickly

Ah! After the joy of yesterday’s successful appointment at the visa centre, the French Consulate waste no time in rejecting our application.

Wow – this is very deflating. I immediately send it to Euronews’ visa expert who replies to the Consulate asking them to reconsider as she insists I do qualify for the Talent Passeport. There is a bit of to-ing and fro-ing but ultimately the Consulate doesn’t change its mind.

Our passports are returned the following morning. Euronews is now exploring other ways to get me out to France to start work on 1 February. What is the French for squeaky bum time?