Vendredi le 28 novembre

TGIF!!! Got prepared for my English classes this morning and we headed down to Europcar to check out rental prices – not cheap but we really need to do it. Again, it is cheaper on the internet to book so off home to explore again!
My class at the Lycee was with 19 year olds – a new experience, but I enjoyed it, the time went so fast and unfortunately I didn’t get them all to talk as much as I wanted. Next time! I did get them to introduce themselves and tell me their interests, they were really varied and I was surprised as a 19 year old boy and another girl were into horses and competed in show jumping and dressage etc, many into music, another boy was really into singing, other interests included dance –hip hop, modern, tennis, basketball, judo, reading, theatre, cinema etc. In New Zealand I think many would be too scared to be seen as different and not so accepting of others interests. It was a real eye opener.
These students are in “terminale” their last year before University – they take 10 subjects and work from 8:00 -5:00 every day at Lycee. (You wouldn’t see this many in N.Z. – we start to specialise early.)
Very busy – they have for English to pass a written and oral exam (10 minutes) in May. This oral exam is based on a picture and they have to talk about it for 5 minutes then the next 5 minutes can be anything related to it. Today we had a cover from Time magazine, about Global warming and on the front was a picture of a solitary polar bear floating on a tiny piece of ice.
They had to talk about the composition of the cover, the impact, the symbolism, the climatic change and its relevance and impact. Very involved!
I have noticed that all learning and conversations are about very deep issues – even in Seph’s class they study famous pieces of art and other classes look at social issues, political systems etc. Our children would say this is “boring” but our children are so unrounded and unaware of the rest of the world. I am starting to think they have too much say over what they learn and how they learn it. I do believe they miss the base content knowledge (that probably comes from chalk and talk) – speaking of chalk – most classes here still have this!

Home at 5:30 – pitch black and rush hour!
Rang Dad - great to talk to him! Got cut off as ran out of money!

Jeudi le 27 novembre - really cold!

EEkkk! The computer says the temperature is -12!! I think this may be an exaggeration, but when I got outside it was very fresh and everything including glass bus shelters etc were all pure white! This wasn’t like a haw frost though, hard to explain but different and bitterly cold! Thank god I found my gloves!
This morning I met one of the College teachers in town as we were going to an inservice training. She said at her place on the South terrace it was -7 so very well is correct temperature.
It turned out that we went to a picture theatre and joined another 15 teachers from around the district. A man got up and lectured to us for about 30 minutes (naturally in French) I had thought it might have had some English as Pascale is an English teacher and I had assumed everyone else would be English teachers too – WRONG! Some were music, graphics and art, film studies teachers. The film began – Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest – In English (wahoo) with French Subtitles. At least I could understand the movie! I then found out that the students are going to study this movie and we will bring the students to it in a weeks time!
In the afternoon I left to go to the Lycee – just as well, I couldn’t sit listening to that guy go on any longer, it nearly put me to sleep in the theatre.
I had a meeting with one of the English teachers at the Lycee for a lesson on Friday afternoon – this was ok. I also put notes in other English teachers P.H. to see if they will finally give me times!

Today the girls took Marmite to their English classes for tasting. You can imagine the reactions and the looks on the faces. Hermione managed to get a few photos but Seph unfortunately hasn’t been able to take any photos yet.

Back to searching for Xmas houses – have sent an email to 1 house on the edge of a National park down in the Languedoc region that is reasonably priced – it will still mean we are on our own but better than being here. I haven’t managed to find anywhere for us to go where there will be others.

Mercredi le 26 novembre- Carte de sejour!

WOW! An early start, up and to the bus at 0700 for the big medical appointment. Naturally it was still dark and very cold as we tried to find the Dr’s premises. As we walked along the street we met another guy with the telltale paper also looking for the Dr.
In we went to find a very old fashioned nurse, wearing a stiff white heavy cotton nurses over shirt that buttons to the side. She glanced extremely quickly at where I pointed to show her that we didn’t have TB and our tetanus vaccination was up to date. I only pointed to Nev's results but she didn’t really seem interested, she didn't want to see mine. She spoke English and ushered us through to a room where the Dr was waiting – the room was full of old character and part of the room was divided by an old glass petition with the examination bed on the other side. I sat at the desk with the nurse and answered questions, she informed me they had 40 medicals to do before 1200.Nev went with the Dr behind the partition but I could see him on the table through a large gap running through the centre of the petition. Every now and then the Dr called things out and the nurse wrote the results. A bit of tapping here and there, chest Xray completed and an eye test – he was done! My turn while he sat with the nurse – same procedure but they must have been in a hurry as I didn’t even do the eye test! 2 minutes later we get the all important piece of paper to say we are fine to live in France, our X rays given to us to keep! The nurse advised us to go straight to the Prefecture and hand in the medical as soon as it opens so we wouldn’t have to wait long.
However we had to go and complete another part of this strange process first.
So, we headed up to the place where we were meant to hear the “rules” of France and be welcomed, also to ask questions etc. When Ghislaine had called them last week she had been told that we should allow half a day and preferably no children but she explained that ours would be coming and that was ok. It also said in the letter that it is obligatory.
So we arrived 50 minutes too early as it was still only just after 8:00 and it didn’t open till 9:00. We found a little café and breakfast out – croissants juice/café! Filled in our time then headed there straight on the dot. We were hoping by being there early that it might not take as long. However….. they just said we don’t need to come at all, the letter just gets sent out automatically and it isn’t required here. What!!! Another bureaucratic marvel. So even after Ghislaine rang 3 times last Friday it wasn’t mentioned that we don’t come at all.
So we headed to another place –the Treasury- where we needed to pay “Tax” €275 each. Before we can get this Carte. You don’t pay at the Prefecture (Official Bureaucratic Place) but at the Treasury and you have to buy stamps and stick them to your paper and then take them to the Prefecture. (I do think this is all set up so it keeps people employed – can’t see the reason for not just paying at the Prefecture!)
Very expensive stamps - we had to have a page each!


Having been at the Prefecture before and seeing the queues, also knowing the girls couldn’t get their appointment until 18 December when we booked in the beginning of October we were prepared for a long wait – the girls had packed cards, books, games, food etc.
However we were to be surprised – the place was full of people and they operate a number system and you go to whichevere section you are appointed to – we only had to wait for 1 number! We got the same lady as before – she took the medicals, scribbled over our stamps (presumably so you can’t reuse them) took our letter of our address verification – said ‘That is it’ your carte should arrive in a week!
Can’t believe this whole process – in the end seemed simple but still a long time and much mucking around. Now for the girls in December… they don’t need medicals etc though, I think it is much more straight forward. Let’s hope so!

After this went to do a few jobs in town – it was still only 10:30! Went to the bus office and amazingly my lambs wool gloves that I lost on the bus on Monday were there! Whew! I had priced replacements here – up to €120 for decent warm gloves!

Went to Thomas Cook travel agents to see about deals for the Xmas break- but bad news everything just so expensive as it is the peak time! €3500-4000 for a weeks skiing in the mountains. So back to the drawing boards – came home to trawl the net. Decided we might rent a house for a week and drive around looking at things. So the search goes on…

Town is getting all ready for Xmas, decorations are everywhere, the chalets are getting organised and the town has a big day on Saturday for the “marche de Noel” I think this is when it is officially “opened” and the lights go on!
All the fountains and ponds have been emptied for winter – not a good sign.

Mardi le 25 novembre

A fairly full on day, decided to go to the Primary school this morning as from next Tuesday one of the Lycee teachers wants me Tuesday mornings! I went to Hermione’s class and Seph’s. Their programme is all set, has word by word lessons, flashcards premade (with all the instructions, step by step, CD’s worksheets, activities etc…Pick up and go! As we finished listening to a CD in Hermione’s class next door’s was still playing. About 10 seconds behind! It is all so structured and, DARE I say it, very well done. For English anyway.I do presume every subject is like this with very clear progressions. I have seen the books for most subjects. All the children have the textbook and workbook for every subject which is used at home too for homework. I think this definitely has its advantages; all children get exactly the same curriculum and coverage!
Mind you…when I arrived in Hermione’s class the teacher was handing back written tests and recording scores. All names got read out and their score said , if it wasn’t good you got a bit of a grilling :Didn’t you understand…It was simple…Nothing written here… but all in a tone of disapproval and humiliation. This of course is very important because if you don’t “pass” a year you repeat until you do! Marks and hard work are everything, not much laughter nor personal discussions…eg ‘News’, it is straight into it. No mucking around!
I have also seen the odd clip around the ear, book on the head, many “shut ups” and even an ear twist and pull along the class! Teachers tend to be gruff and have clipped answers ‘Non’ more often than not.
As I write this Nev is suggesting that he likes this system more and more!

Naturally the day finished with the diabolical English club…… they are so not used to our teaching methods, I just had the children all sit on chairs in a circle, not at desks – a teacher came in and was stopping the children from shifting the furniture and looked at me strangely when I said it was ok and that was what I wanted!

Tomorrow we are off to our medicals (heard nothing back from the email) we have to be there at 0730!

Oh…..BIG news…..I got “the letter’ I can go to the bank tomorrow and get the account working! Wahoo!!!!!

Also as I was in class this morning it snowed! Still not enough to hang around but it is cold…. Not sure what shoes you wear when in snow for a while – I can imagine ours all getting ruined and water marked…if anyone knows what you wear please let me know as I have a feeling we will need them as I guess they don’t snowplough the footpaths and we will need to get to supermarket us stops etc…
The bins of grit are all strategically placed around the town and we also saw a 4 wheel motorbike with a snowplough on front today!
Perhaps we will also need a snow shovel to get outside…. Brrrr..

Lundi le 24 novembre

The start of another week – Seph not 100% so stayed home, bit worried her asthma might play up and we have no Dr nor do we know where to get one! Have found the emergency numbers though – 15-Samu (ambulance) 17 (Police) and 18 Pompiers (fire and first aid). Not sure what happened to 16!
I headed up to the Lycee for a rendez-vous and then went down to CLA for conversation practice.
Nev headed to the Intermarché on his own!! I endeavoured to get the letter at the Lycee but it wasn’t ready and the Head Honcho was away till Wednesday – very frustrating! The directricw of the Primary school has asked if I can do more hours BUT still don’t have the rest of the Lycee teachers wishes nor have college given me theirs as they are waiting for the Lycee. It is so hard to pin people down! Not from lack of trying either – have had 2 meetings at Lycee now and still they say they will email.
I also emailed first thing to the Medical branch about the Carte de séjour and haven’t heard the response, will probably get it after our appointment!

Dimanche le 23 novembre

A quiet and relaxing day passed by quickly with the aid of games, books and cards! Not much to report really. Would love more social contact but I guess people are more reluctant to invite a family rather than a single. Mind you it is getting colder and deeper into winter and people tend to hibernate a bit. Xmas is worrying and not sure what to do….it is starting to dominate our thoughts. We don’t want to go anywhere and “waste” our money by not being able to do anything – not sure how much closes down over the break on the other hand can’t stay here in our little bunker, or maybe we do and hire a car and do day trips. Will keep you posted!

Samedi le 22 novembre - Ice Circus

A quiet morning and only a skiff of snow on the hills. It did try a few times to snow today but nothing settled. It is very cold though – I think the forecast is still for snow for the next few days and building to a minus 6 with a high of minus 1 on Tuesday! Welcome to winter in the northern hemisphere. The temperatures shouldn’t be a shock – Alex gets into the negatives frequently but this is bone chilling and the wind comes with it.
A local has informed me that less than 30 minutes drive from here is a place that is as cold as Siberia – it has some record. I hope this winter is not a record breaking one!
This afternoon we headed to the local ice skating rink to watch the “cirque de Moscou sur Glace” The Moscow circus on ice! We got there early as there were no fixed seats – this in itself was entertaining, we would have been the 10th people to arrive and wait in the line but by the time to go in we would have been 60th as everyone just ignored the barriers and line and barged in front and past the tape!
A digression – it was only last year that the bus company changed it’s practice and made everyone enter the bus from the front doors as no one queues here! Not sure if I have already told you that! Also they had to install ticket machines with numbers for at busy places – stations, meat/cheese counters because of the chaos!

Anyway just beside us were 3 rows of reserved seats – official “children” were there telling you that you couldn’t sit there and time after time people pushed past and sat down anyway THEN someone else would have to come and be even more official and bossy to get them to move! This would have happened at least 100 times. It was as if the rest of the crowd had completely ignored this prime seating area and left it to those who came in later on….DUH!!!!! At least this kept us amused until the start of the show.

The show was great – very clever and the cast had fantastic costumes. I have got heaps of ideas for the Ice Festival ( if APS has another one) and fantastic ideas for jump rope!

Another interesting thing…those on the Ice Rink committee may be interested…that the pool and the rink were in the same complex, probably sharing the complementary machinery! I have taken some photos as this rink is also used for international ice hockey games as well. Does anyone know anybody into that stuff?

At least there wasn’t a foot of snow by the time we got out but it was bitter. Must be coming tomorrow….
Just watching Australia versus France as I write this, I really am not sure who I want to win. Even Nev is finding his book more interesting than the rugby –NEVER thought that would happen!

Vendredi le 21 novembre

The weather wasn’t playing nice today – really heavy rain! This meant no one was keen to do anything. I however had classes at the Primary school and conversation practice later in the afternoon. I ended up going to Ghislaines apartment – first floor on the Grand Rue! What a magnificent place to sit and people watch –parfait! Ghislaine helped with interpreting my letter about the medicals and other information for the Carte de séjour – it wasn’t easy –she even had to ring and ask questions 3 times! However it now seems that maybe we don’t need the medical since we had one in NZ – this may be one person’s view and I am slightly scared not to do it in case someone further along in the bureaucratic chain changes their mind! Before we got the definite answer (we got told to ring back after she checked with her colleagues) which we rang back within 10 minutes but the office had closed for the weekend!
Home for our last supper with ‘the guests’ before they depart on the night train to Venice – wish I was going! It was all jokes however as our forecast was for snow – minimum -2 to a high of 1 degree! Their cruise was to have strong winds and 8m swell! Not sure what I prefer.
However, it was great having company and it really meant a lot to us to see some friends. Some sort of ‘normality’ I suppose. I just hope all of you are buying Lotto tickets and if you win, a trip to see us is first on your list! Let us know when you will be arriving…..

Jeudi le 20 novembre- escargots!

I was off to work early at the college – started at 9:45! Went to a History lesson with the 5eme, 13 year olds. They were studying the history of King Louis XIV and how he changed the French economy – I surprised myself and actually understood some of it, well I think I did! After this to a French class with the 6eme – 12 year olds. This was about culture and they had a famous painting they were interpreting and excerpts of literature – Les Miserables and Jack London’s ‘White Fang’. Not sure if they were making comparisons or not. It was good to see their text book – our children learn nothing like this at school. It is very formal and prescriptive, not sure yet which system is ‘better’. The French way definitely has merits as does ours! Home for lunch and then back for the afternoon at the college – we took all the 6eme to the ‘Fete de Sciences’ at the university. This was a huge promotion for science and a little like the science roadshow but not as well done- this could be because of my lack of French especially scientific language! We walked there, this reminded me of APS. It took 40 mins each way. Went to collect ‘the letter’ and informed the head honcho has it – so not sure what that means – is he just signing it / or stopping it? I can’t work out the big deal about it as we are living at the premises (at the moment) it needs to just verify our address not be a guarantor for us!
While I was hard at work, Nev was entertaining our guests. I believe they were all slow to get started. After lunch they wandered into town and walked up to the lookout at the Citadelle.
About 5 we walked to the supermarket to get food and supplies – Kerry and Hermione stayed behind and got absorbed in a computer game. A new one to us and it is great, has had everyone intrigued and really thinking.
For tea we tried the 5 course thing and tried to be slightly traditional (as much as I know, anyhow) – kiwi too start – chips and peanuts, then we had an aperitif with little French muse bouches (pastries that fit into your mouth complete, to amuse the taste buds!), then came escargots (snails!) for the main we had roast chicken and salad and French fries, then long after we finished with cheese!
The snails were a first for me to cook – not exactly sure what to do but I asked a lovely lady who was standing near us in the aisle at the supermarket what to do. She explained how to make the sauce – butter, garlic, parsley and salt (for those of you who would like to try!) and how to prepare them. So home we went and I tried my best. They smelt delicious! 36 snails in their shell for consumption – 6 each! The little blighters were hard to get out – you had to get a fork tine and try to grab and twist it loose. The girls faces were delightful…Seph had a good go but unfortunately she got a chewy one and was put off having another.

Hermione had 2 snails and then decided that it was the thought that it was a ‘snail’ that put her off having another. Everyone else finished them off!
A good bottle of €1 red to go with our meal finished the scenario perfectly. It was the first time we had entertained in a long time and it was a great feeling – also the only time I had had company for a meal in nearly 3 months!

Mercredi le 19 novembre- VISITORS!!!!!

The War Memorial outside the Gare

All the wreaths for Armistice day 11-11

Everyone sleeps well on a Wednesday morning –very quiet and dark. Maybe once I get home I will put in blackout curtains so the girls sleep later!
I went down to the college again to try and collect the letter – but the secretary doesn’t work today and the other secretary wouldn’t even peek and look for it. Everyone is so bureaucratic and ridiculously pompous!
An exciting day ahead as we get to go the Gare and meet some New Zealand guests!!!! Wahoo! Friends of ours –Kerry and Sandra are off exploring the world and detoured slightly to come and see us for a couple of days – How lucky! They were in London and en route to Venice, you can train all the way direct via us!
It was so amazing to see some familiar faces and Nev was stoked he could talk to someone else! I also don’t think we will be meeting anyone else at the Gare or have people meeting us so was definitely a novelty! Seph just couldn’t stop talking, busy telling them all about everything and pointing out all the differences. No one else could speak!
We trundled them back to our place and with a bit of juggling fitted everyone in! We kept the blinds down so that no one would know we had a couple of guests for a couple of nights.

All squished into kitchen!

We then walked into town and had a quick look around – a drink in the closest thing we have to a typical pub, found somewhere for tea and then headed home for a rather late night – 1:45am! A few empty bottles of very cheap wine and some beer….I think we spent no more than €8 total!

Mardi le 18 novembre -Lycee timetable

Up and off to the lycee to sort out my timetable – finally!! It was great to meet some of the teachers, they were really friendly and welcoming. One teacher I met quickly gave me a note for when she would like me to come – reading it I find out that she wants me for 4 times only – in January or February! Another teacher quickly said Tuesday mornings for me please! The rest just said they would email me……wonder how long that will take! I would estimate that I won’t get many! I popped down to the college as told yesterday to collect the important letter – BUT –no it isn’t ready – come back tomorrow!
After this it was home to get prepared for my Tuesday afternoon 7 year olds and then the …kindy class! In fact the kindy class went really well, it seems to get better and better.

Lundi le 17 novembre

Met with the head of the college today and told him how much I enjoyed the staff and the students. I then requested the letter I need for a bank account and the library and of course the carte de séjour! “Not a problem” I will do that this afternoon. We then spoke briefly about the apartment and in the end I said if we could stay here that would be good if we could come to some arrangement. He also asked straight out if I had heard from the Lycee – I had to be honest and say ‘No’ but I am going up there tomorrow after a college teacher invited me! At least he is aware of the non communication on their behalf!

I came home and got together a claims form for AFS for expenses so far…we will see how long that takes to get done!
Went to CLA for my conversation practice this afternoon, unfortunately I stick to what I know and really could do with some formal tuition.
Came home to find workmen installing new double glazed windows in the apartment – have done 1 then packed up for the day. He informed me that they will be here to start at 7:30 in the bedrooms! So will have to be ready and dressed for day very early.
Went to pay for the carte de séjour today – quite a lot – you have to buy a kind of stamp that you then take to the prefecture to prove you have paid. Amazingly they only take cheques and cash – no VISA! Weird – but most places here still accept personal cheques even supermarkets and little shops. It is widely accepted. So will have to work out how to get that much cash without lots of fees.

Keep up the emails everyone – we really love them and it is great to hear how you are all going! I read the fair raised $10000! Is that with expenses taken out? WOW! I think of school all the time – and wonder what you are all doing – getting to silly season for reports and paperwork!
Haven’t heard from anyone in quite a while…………….

Dimanche le 16 novembre

On a street corner -typical- a fishmongers!

Seph 'composter' her metro ticket

The weather was drizzly and cold so we spent the day scrapbooking about Lyon and getting things tidied up around here. We ended up playing cards in the afternoon for about 3 hours and then more after tea – very enjoyable time.
Will put in some random photos just because this is a very boring and uninspired entry. On the river Seine.

Samedi le 15 novembre

A quiet day and in the afternoon we walked into town as it was a nice sunny day. We wandered around along with the other 3000 people. Everyone just seems to appear about 3:00 and congregates walking in the streets. We then remembered that there is not much in the fridge and we need food for tonight and tomorrow as everything is shut – another trip to the supermarket! We seem to be there every second day. Most French people still buy daily so there are so many food stalls in all suburbs but I don’t like it. We are also very limited as the fridge we have is the size of a small bar fridge, so not much can fit in. We also don’t have a microwave so that can impact on what we buy – also no toaster so we grill the bread in the mornings. Getting quite used to it now but the toast doesn’t taste the same either. The French are not big breakfast eaters traditionally although this is changing slightly. The view we have of croissants for breakfast is incorrect – this is only done at the weekend or for visitors and special occasions.

What has been nice has been playing so many games with the girls – we ended up buying a cheap pack of a few different games. They latest craze has been draughts! But tonight we played cards for hours after tea. Great to be able to spend so much time doing these simple things.
Finish the night off by keeping an eye on the All Blacks – through the N.Z. Herald online with play by play updates- amazing what you can find. Also watching the French “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” a bit hard for me but I get the gist.

Vendredi le 14 novembre

Up and off to College for the morning. I made an appointment with the college head for 8:45 to see if I can finally get a letter confirming where I am living – need this to be able to open a bank account, library member and for the Carte de Sejour! I asked months ago but the big boss wouldn’t do it then – so still waiting. But….. he didn’t keep the appointment and I had a class at 9:00 so left. Made another time for Monday morning so hopefully will get in to see him this time.
The staff loved my biscuits – wahoo! All gone within minutes. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.
The classes were great, they get through so much language –it is funny listening to them speak in English with their cute accents.
After lunch I had my primary class – they are 7 and so adorable and willing to please. Off to CLA for my conversational practice and then back. Really felt like a Friday and would have loved Fish and Chips but no such luck – there really isn’ t any takeaway food places. On the outskirts of town there are 2 McDonalds and a couple of chain restaurants and a Pizza Hut type place but none like we know it. This is of course not a bad thing but I am looking forward to Fish and Chips when I get home! It does however mean you have to be really prepared for meals, we are getting much better as you have to be!
An unusual event happened about 9:00 – the phone rang! Have not heard it do that for 6 weeks – it was Karen L! So nice to have a chat and on a Friday night too when I should be socialising with friends. This made my day – a very welcome surprise.

Jeudi le 13 novembre

A typical police car - not built for the chase! Funny to see 2 or 3 police get out of there. NZ police should try saving some tax payers money by down sizing - also would win the "environmental" vote!

On the Traboule hunt in Lyon!

Up and at the College by 8:00 to observe classes. I had 4 different teachers today and really enjoyed working with them and their children. All the children have pretty good English and study it 5 hours a week. All the teachers only work 18 hours a week, this is full time! The rest of the time they can be where they like – all the classes work from text books, from page 1- end. All have homework exercises to complete. So not really much preparation required - it is all there for them. One of the teachers asked if I would consider coming on their class trip for the first week in February to England – I was keen. She has to put the list of helpers forward to the boss and he then decides who can go! So will keep you posted – presume there would be heaps wanting to go. I would really like this as I get to work with the teachers and get to form some friendships and links with them and other parents.
Still have not heard form the Lycee about work there but one of the college teachers is also working at the Lycee and she has asked if I can go there next week to help her so that is great.
Came home and baked biscuits to take for morning tea tomorrow!
A really cool day!

Our compartmant in the corail.

Mercredi le 12 novembre

Afew more photos - on the River Seine night Tour!

Seph in front of Sacre Coeur Basillica

Hermione - Up the Eiffel Tower

The latest style design on the Champs--Elysees by Peugeot! Very cool I think.

We headed off to the major shopping centre to buy a winter coat for Seph and boots for the girls. In Lyon we managed to deck out Nev and he really looks French in his clothes! We couldn’t, however, discover why he beeped when he went into shops and Hermione kept setting it off too – once home we discovered that the shop assistant had only removed 1 tag from his coat and there were 2 more in his inside pockets! It was so embarrassing everywhere we went everyone stared. So today we took the receipt and went to a clothes shop and asked them politely to remove them – WHEW! Hermione however still beeped, further investigation proved it was something in her handbag! She then ate a Chuppa chup out of it and it stopped beeping!
Anyway we walked straight in and found the exact coat that Seph wanted- double Whew! I have never spent so much on clothes in their lives! Hermione got a wool coat in Lyon as did Nev. Anyway today we also went to a shoe megastore and the girls found their winter boots – I also read that buy one pair with a red dot and the second pair is €1! Bargain! So 6 pairs of shoes/boots (leather and good quality) later for €120. All set now I hope for this snow and cold that everyone keeps promising us!
I also searched on the net for Xmas holiday deals – it is going to be very hard at Xmas, don’t know what to do. At this stage it will be us sitting in this tiny apartment with not much and not much Xmas cheer! I looked at some ski packages as we will be covered in snow but they are ridiculously expensive! The search continues…..

I have run out of English books to read and this is annoying! I miss a good book and it makes it worse when Nev is getting stuck into the ones I have already read.

Point Zero - In front of Notre Dame where all measurements are taken from.

Mardi le 11 novembre – Armistice Day

Disneyland!

Buzz Lightyear ride!

Inside a passage! At miniature museum

Had all intentions of going into town to be part of the Parade for Armistice Day but the rain was pelting down – so we watched the big commemoration on TV instead. Nicholas Sarkozy and Carla Bruneii, Prince Charles and Camilla were all speakers. It was very much like our ANZAC day commemoration. It was the 90th Year today since the signing in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Very sobering and moving especially when they mentioned New Zealand’s help.

The rest of the day was spent scrapbooking and catching up on the girl’s books. They managed to do all of Paris, this took all afternoon, (about 5 hours) while we also watched Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock – in French and then Crocodile Dundee in New York also of course in French! One great thing here is there is only 1 ad break during movies, a bit like intermission, it goes for about 7 minutes and only 1 short break during TV programmes. Just enough time to get refreshments and small jobs done.
Lyon !
The evening passed with me sorting photos and labelling them while Nev watched war documentary, not sure how much he understood! But there was a lot of old film footage.

I will also include some pictures to look at! Confusing!

Lundi le 10 novembre - Blog out!

Nev's ham and butter! For those of you who are new to this - you can click on the picture to get it bigger and see all the background etc..

Hot chestnuts!

Inside a traboule!

One of the many narrow streets

Typical Architecture

A much deserved slow paced day – everyone tired and a bit crabby! Off to the supermarket to replenish supplies. Nev for a run and I sat down at the computer, 2:00pm to catch up on the blog and photos! Still found myself at the computer at 10:00pm doing today! Finally caught up! I still have to go through and rename all the photos but a few nights to do this and I should be all done! Whew!! Thanks for all being so patient out there – don’t want to let my dedicated followers down!
Keep those emails and comments on the blog coming – I love hearing how things are going. Hope the school fair goes well on Saturday – it was great to ring school the other day and have a quick chat with those who were around! I hope they passed on my thoughts to everyone!
I will include a few more photos for you of our trip to Lyon – as today’s entry is a bit bland! Can you find Nev?

Dimanche le 9 novembre - Lyon day 2

Up and packed again! Luckily the hotel can store our belongings for the day and we don’t have to lug them around!
Another fantastic breakfast to start the day! First stop was to the Pet Market held every Sunday morning – I was dreading what unusual creatures we might find – but predictably it was mainly DOGS! Well puppies to be exact – very, very cute ones! I even found myself inquiring to the price out of interest and even the breed names.
I was put in my place very quickly when the cheapest was €600! Not that I was planning to get one but reality hit home fast. The girls however were full of enthusiasm and cuteness!
We saw only 1 cage load of cats and I forgot to see what the price of those were- can’t decide if they would be cheap because not that common and people don’t want them or if that would make them expensive – or are they give away!
From here we headed up to the Roman Ruins – 44BC or around there the city of Lugdunum was founded. The have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites, rather impressive stone structures that held 10000 people for poetry readings and musical recitals. I believe there were also gladiatorial fights as well. It was emotional to sit on the stone stps and think of all the other people who also have sat in the exact spot and how different everyone’s lives are. An architectural masterpiece, I still can’t get that these things are so old and simply hoe they did it without the marvels we know about like cranes etc…

Onto another world heritage site – UNESCO only lists sites, whether manmade or natural places that have an exceptional and universal value. Lyon is so rich in monuments that it deserved to be part of this prestigious group. 500 sites worldwide and 22 are in France. The suburb of Croix Rousse – this is the major area of where the canuts worked and lived. There are heaps of traboules here and I was really looking forward to seeing this area that is a world heritage site. It was like a trail and you looked for the signs and marks on the doors to see if they were traboules or not.
I was so disappointed, it was grubby, covered in graffiti, vandalised and many parts decrepit and unkempt. We went through many passages and they are interesting and have interesting features and architecture but on the whole disappointed. Headed for another part of town and decided to have a quick bite to eat – Subway! Perfect – got a sandwich each - €30!! Dearest sandwich in history – dearer than restaurants – won’t be having that again till back in ALEXANDRA!
Next stop the Printing Museum – Not many places can boast one of these and of course Nev was in his element. It went through the history of print from Papyrus to writing on flax, stone etc until modern day. Even showing examples of bank notes and very early books and all the different machines over time.
Again the museum wound its way up floors and into other rooms and we even found ourselves in an art exhibition that followed on from one of the rooms.
Wandered back towards our hotel crossing over the Rhone river and all the people out strolling along the promenade or biking, rollerblading etc. People sitting on the banks and steps relaxing. A lovely feel about the place. Found ourselves beside a huge group of people and wondered what was happening, still don’t know but as I looked harder they were all older men gathered in groups talking. Strange!
Jumped on a tram for a few blocks to look around and for the girls to experience a modern tram.
Hermione and I waited at the Gare while Nev and Seph went and collected our luggage.
5:00pmTime to board the train – again it was the corail and we were in the compartment carriage – this time we had one to ourselves. It was great we had time before it was dark to look around and we left the lights off and shut the doors and curtains to the corridor and watched the view.
Every stop the girls were anxious we might have to share our compartment – we were fortunate the whole way!
2h30 minutes later we were home!

As much as I enjoyed Lyon, I couldn't live there -nice to visit and would go again but permanent not a chance!

Samedi le 8 novembre - LYON!

Breakfast was a treat for the girls as it was included in our hotel package and was a buffet. All the chocolate croissants and plain croissants you could see. Along with other patisseries, cereals, juice, yogurt, cheese, toast (all be it French style and very small). Nev had the best coffee yet as he could make it himself and add more water. Coffee here is served in tiny cups and is extremely strong – normally no milk in it either.
After the girls had their fill and filled their handbags with emergency supplies for later we set off.
Another metro system to master – nowhere near as large as Paris, as you would expect but much cleaner and no graffiti anywhere. The trains themselves were actually wider and you could sit right at the front or back and see out. Also not nearly as chaotically busy!

We found the information centre and collected our “Lyon City Card Pass” this enabled us to free transport all throughout the city on trains, buses, trams and funiculaires. It also allowed free entry into 21 museums, a free river cruise, free entry into the Guignol theatre and numerous other things – this was also included in our hotel package. Which was stay 1 night and the next 50% off along with breakfasts and these passes. Not a bad deal as it turned out!
Lyon is famed for its Traboules - covered passageways, or secret passageways. In all there are 315 passages that link 230 streets and have a combined length of 50km. Most were constructed by ‘canuts’ (silk weavers) to facilitate in the transporting of silk especially in inclement weather. The traboules can go down several floors across roads through buildings and emerge 2 streets below, or they can be far simpler. Others are miraboules, these only have 1 entrance and lead you into a beautiful courtyard or an interesting stairwell.
We went to a few and tried a few doors but some were locked. We certainly tried to go to the best ones but after a few we thought we better carry on with our day. The main old part of Lyon is beautiful – narrow streets with a lot of charm. Food stalls outside selling hot roasted chestnuts and hot wine! Cobbled streets and busy. Vibrant and interesting!

As we wound our way through the streets we came upon the miniature museum – so in we went. WOW- what an amazing place, the miniature scenes were incredibly detailed and were used in movies. We would our way up the stairs to another floor and rooms, this continued for about 5 floors. I was blown away, the best displays were the “behind the curtain” restricted area! This was gory – but our kids came anyway – body parts, zombies and even Arnie the Terminator head! Very fascinating – you even saw the man’s workshop and all his tools etc. Guess who was there C3PO! Unfortunately we had to rush this as we didn’t want to be late but could have spent a lot longer.

After this we headed to the funiculaire to head up the hill to see another church!! Again a very different architecture and really interesting inside as all the big murals were mosaics – very clever!
As we walked along the river bank the food market was packing up – I was disgusted! The rubbish was everywhere – they just left all the packaging, rotten fruit and veges and even some good stuff! There were quite a few people who were searching through and picking out good stuff. I was revolted- further on the lovely café by the river cruise had a large pile of rubbish outside and wasn’t pleasant to look at. Admittedly by the time we came back from our cruise it was all gone – the cleaners had been through picked it all up and hosed it clean.
We then were off to our River Cruise on the Saone – couldn’t compete with Paris’ but interesting all the same. I couldn’t believe the graffiti everywhere – it really spoiled the view and definitely put another light on France.
Most of the bridges in Lyon are new because the Germans blew up all the bridges except for 2 to hold the Allies back from getting to Germany.
Straight after this we headed to the Guignol Theatre – This is a famous puppet created in 1769 in Lyon. The theatre was fantastic – a whole other culture – the puppeteers were incredibly skilled. The stage was set so that they can walk fully upright behind the stage and have their hands above them. Salonging them to come form the back etc. Afterwards we were allowed backstage to see the workings – amazing and they had so mant different sets and puppets for all the variety of shows they perform. Really good entertainment!

Headed back towards the subway and found a clearance handbag sale – of extremely good quality top brands! Amazingly I succumbed and bought a bag – French design and leather!
To the main shopping centre in the hope of finding some winter boots and coats – frantically raced around as nothing open tomorrow! Nev decked himself out – now looks very French in his 1 outfit! Hermione got a nice woollen coat but Seph couldn’t find anything – for those of you who know Seph well, this was not good – she is the fashion police in our house and this wasn’t how it is meant to be! Normally she is the easiest one to find clothes for that fit. However she took it well and we will keep looking until it is just right!
Tea – A grill on the way back to our hotel – Nev got an interesting entrée – a plate of assortments of Ham – it looked raw, and ion the plate was a sachet of butter! Not sure what you are meant to do with it! The rest was very average and not worth mentioning.

Vendredi le 7 novembre - Holidays

The book market along the river banks of the Saone.

A playground!

A photo in front of the Gare.

Friday already! – and then another 5 days off.
I have forgotten to mention why we have had the previous break – Toussaint! Translates as All Saints Day.
All Saints Sunday follows the ancient tradition of commemorating all saints collectively on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
The Western Christian holiday of All Saints Day falls on November 1, followed by All Souls' Day on November 2, and is when people bring flowers to the graves of dead relatives.

We have the next 5 days off because – on Tuesday it is Armistice day – 11/11.
Armistice Day is the anniversary of the symbolic end of World War I on 11 November 1918. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning — the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month". While this official date to mark the end of the war reflects the ceasefire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire.
The date was declared a national holiday in many allied nations to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during war. Called Armistice Day in many countries. After World War II, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day in the United States and to Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Armistice Day remains an official holiday in France. It is also an official holiday in Belgium, known also as the Day of Peace in the Flanders Fields.
In many parts of the world people take a two minute moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. as a sign of respect for the roughly eight million who died in the war.
11 November 2008 will be the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Courtesy of Wikipedia!

Anyway the 5 days are Saturday/ Sunday / Monday (bridging the gap) / Tuesday/ and Wednesday (no school anyway).


I spent the morning mainly on the computer and then headed to the supermarket to get a few supplies for the weekend – muesli bars, fruit and other snack food to carry with us.
After lunch turned up for one of my primary classes – but told time is not at 1:30 but 1:45 so went away and came back. The class are so sweet and try really hard. However they do have to work in silence, I had an activity for them to match the English words with the picture – cut up, glue and match, it would have been good if they could check with each other and practice saying the words but they were not allowed to. Very disciplined and strict.
Straight after this Nev and I headed into town to renew bus passes and withdraw some cash!
Packed all the clothes and were determined only to take Nev’s pack and my little backpack – keeping it simple.
Headed off to the local Gare to get on the train at 6:00pm. The train this time was a ‘corail’ not as fast as a TGV but a bit roomier. We were in a compartment that seats 8 and you can shut the doors. When we got on there were already 4 people who had come from Strasbourg. One of which had a 3month baby and her carrycot which was across our 2 seats. She was most upset that we would be crowded and have no room for her baby. We ended up putting her carrycot up in the luggage area and she had to hold her baby the entire journey. Turned out OK though we tried to talk to the other passengers.
2h30mins we arrived in Lyon!
A large city – capital of the Rhone Valley – Pop 450 000. It is considered the gastronomic capital of France. It is based around 2 rivers the Saone and the Rhone. (813 km long from Geneva to the Mediterranean).

Only time to drop the bags off at the Hotel – 10 minute walk from the Gare and went to a pizzeria recommended by the receptionist. It was fabulous – cheap and delicious! The girls couldn’t believe their eyes when their pizzas arrived – took the whole plate. Also here pizzas do not come cut, you have to fight your way through it and cut it yourself.
Fed and watered or wined and dined, we headed off to the hotel for a good sleep before cramming heaps into the next day.

A fake tree of flowers - very pretty!