Moving to France and adapting to life in Lyon
Life in Lyon
As we joined the A6 this morning we hit an embouteillage- and we were stuck for a while .
It did mean we got to see a few more buzzards – les buses. I think in the two days’ drive we saw about 20 of them, mainly perched by the motorway.
By about 2pm we arrived at Lyon. We unloaded the car and Cath set about making the flat look a lot more homely.
Then it was off out to buy a few things and have a look around.
After Covid enforced a longer stay in the UK than expected, Cath and I finally got to set off for Lyon. We were taking the car, loaded with a few home comforts – like mugs and plates and books.
It was our first time at Eurotunnel for a very long time but it all went smoothly and we were soon on a shuttle. And then back in France.
We had a bit of a drive to Lyon so stopped off at Chablis for the night. What a very picturesque place and there’s plenty of wine strangely enough.
After a lovely meal we went to bed, ready for a few hours of driving left tomorrow.
Thanks to Covid 19 – which Cath has also caught – we have been stuck indoors for most of the week but at least it has meant we can get on with getting ready for le grand depart – whenever that actually happens.
And on Sunday we ventured out for a walk down to the Hogsmill River. We didn’t see my old friend le martin pecheur but we did get good views of this gorgeous petite aigrette.
Only two working days after our trip to TLS in Wandsworth we get emails to say our passports are ready to collect!!
Unfortunately some time during my flight back to London – or my day-trip to Liverpool for a family funeral – I also collected a dose of Covid.
So Cath went to Wandsworth and came back with these:
So we can now go back to Lyon – but only once I can deliver a negative LFT. Time to move our travel plans back a bit.
Redacteur en chef contenus numeriques.
Today I woke up to torrential rain and then had to drive to the visa application centre in Wandsworth – again.
We were a bit late but confident that we had all the necessary documents.
By a quirk of circumstance we saw the same adviser as last time. “It’s good you came to me as I know your case already so it will be quicker”
Two hours 50 mins later we were finished. Let’s see if we get any further with it this time.
No sooner does Euronews announce my arrival – along with that of colleague and friend Stuart Duncan – than it is time for me to head back to the UK for a second attempt at getting a visa.
I got loads of lovely messages but no sooner had I replied to them that it was in a taxi and off to the airport.
Next stop TLS visa services – wish me luck.
I went for another stroll to Parc de la Tete d’Or and saw plenty of very tame oies cendrees. Some were even eating des gauffres.
And of course des cormorans.
So, do you remember this photo from the other night?
Well, I returned to Rue Polycarpe for a closer look. It is a gorgeous art shop with lots of images of Lyon featuring les oiseaux.
The owner told me she designs all of them.
So I bought this:
And then I saw this:
I told the owner I worked at Euronews and she told me she lives on the hill on the other side of the Saone but left the green cube out of this picture.
I said I thought the cormorant was the bird of Lyon as I’d seen so many of them. And I asked how you say cormorant in French. Cormoran.
I said au revoir and assured her I would be back. That’s two bird pictures in the flat and I’ve only been here three weeks.
Thrown to (the) Lyon 