
Today was obviously the day for men to be on roofs. A look out of our window and we saw not one pair but two. C’est un peu bizarre ça.

Moving to France and adapting to life in Lyon

Today was obviously the day for men to be on roofs. A look out of our window and we saw not one pair but two. C’est un peu bizarre ça.

I’m sure my French is improving – je me debrouille – as Cath has taught me. But I don’t understand everything and that is frustrating when you get emails and you are not sure if they are spam or not.

And then you see a sign like this.

The trams were delayed because of one less ram?
I looked up rame. First meaning – a paddle or rudder. Second meaning – a ream of paper. Third meaning – a train/tram or wagon. Ah, now j’ai compris.
Today was our 25th wedding anniversary so after work I met Cath for a drink where this whole adventure started – in the Mob Hotel. We even got a video call from Matthew and Nathan!
Then on to Selsius restaurant where we had a meal at the end of our visit in November

When we arrived there was a surprise – a bottle of bubbly courtesy of a thoughtful colleague. We then had a lovely meal remembering lots of events from the last 25 years.


J’ai appris un nouveau espression dans mes cours aujourd’hui comme toujours on peut dire. Si quelqu’un est malade – mais pas tellement malade et peut etre il exagerra un peu on peut dire: Cela sent le sapin. Le sapin est un arbre et le bois de cet arbre est utilitse pour faire les coffres.

J’ai dit a mon prof je ne doit pas dire cette espression a la residence ou j’habite maintenant. La il y a beaucoup de monde qui sent le sapin.









Il fait vraiment froid a Lyon. Ce matin il y avait de la neige fondue et ce soir il y a la neige.
En plus j’ai le rhûme et je ne me sens pas tres bien. Je suis allé a la pharmacie parce que j’ai voulu acheter une chose comme le Lemsip. Mais ca n’existe pas ici. Alors j’ai pris ça:

J’espere que Humer m’aider.
En France quand on est malade, on doit aller chez le medecin meme pour un jour d’absence du boulot. Je n’ai pas un medecin jusq’au maintentant. Alors je dois recuperer vite.
In France 1 April is known as Poisson d’Avril. Children stick paper fish on to the backs of as many adults as possible. They then run away yelling Poisson d’Avril. I guess this cyclist is a teacher or otherwise knows a lot of kids.

I think it’s also why the chocolate shops are full of chocolate fish. Well, I guess it would be rude not try some.





Tonight we witnessed some drama on Cours Lafayette – from our sixth floor window.
Les pompiers arrived and quickly used a crane/cherry picker to gain access to a flat that they were clearly concerned about.




Once they were inside, the drama was over. The crane left and then the car followed shortly after. I didn’t see anything being brought out and a quick Google did not reveal any more information about this late night operation.
I will try and keep you posted.
Est-ce que je peux parler le Français mieux maintenant?
Par rapport à mon boulot, il y a un jour sur le trone, le lendemain dans la rue.
Aujourd’hui j’ai eu mon cours avec mon prof génial.

On a parlé des beaux endroits près de Lyon comme Perouges et Chatillon sur Chalaronne ou il y a un plat typique – des grenouilles et du fromage blanc.

Comme toujours, j’ai appris quelques expressions pas tres poli.
Ma niece a accouché. Ma on peut dire aussi: Elle a pondu – comme un poulet.
Quand j’ai dit ça a deux collegues le jour apres elles se sont eclatées de rire.
Et pour parler mieux, mon prof m’a dit de dire Constantin devant le miroir. Et comme ça on avance.