Christmas in Germany

Merry Christmas from France!

We hope everyone at home had a nice relaxing holiday with family and friends.

We have returned from our incredible Christmas holiday in Germany and can't wait to share our highlights. I have another episode of Deux Baguettes on the way but wanted to take my 50th BLOG POST as an opportunity to thank everyone for listening! It has been a CRAZY year of travelling and discovering for Joel & I and we were happy to take everyone along for the ride. With OVER 4250 pageviews we feel like it was definitely worth the time and effort. Thanks to those who made the trip to visit us in Lyon and of course those who took the time to keep in touch via email, skype, instagram, imessage and facebook.  As our first year in France comes to a close we encourage everyone to visit the blog often and help us bring this wild ride home. 

Below are a few pictures from Germany:

Staying warm at the Christmas Markets sipping Gluewein in Hamburg.

Wandering the historic streets of Luneburg (the wobbly town).

Sitting down for one of many amazing dinners with the Bamseys in Bremen.

Taking in the momentous landmarks of Berlin.

Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy New Year!!!

Joel & Amy

July to December in France

Hiya folks, it's time to reminisce again. This time we'll take a look back at our second half of 2013. We've decided to exclude our up-and-coming Christmas trip to Germany as I am sure we'll gather enough footage for another entire episode. Appearances by Joel's sister Laura, our friends JC, Gill and Chelsea, my sister Christine, her fiance Anthony, my Mom and Aunt Brenda. 

Deux Baguettes - The Second 6 Months from PaddyRumble on Vimeo.

THANKS!!!!
Joel & Amy

Another Semester

I have almost finished my second and final semester of Au Pair'ing here in Lyon and it has certainly been an adventure. This time I was matched with two different families, both with two girls, between the ages of 2 and 5. I had Adele & Elena Mon, Tues and Thurs evenings and Alix & Anais all day Wednesday (since french children don't go to school wed). Both families are just starting to introduce their girls to English so it was impressive to watch them go from a few English words to putting together sentences and carrying on full conversations. I definitely think I fared a bit better with the younger crowd (as my ten year olds last semester thought I was so un-cool). It was nice to have someone enjoy my singing and dancing for once and I loved flexing my crafty muscles coming up with activities to both entertain and introduce new vocabulary. They all challenged me in their own way and of course taught me a thing or two along the way. 

Elena & Adele enjoy some pancakes with Pure Canadian Maple Syrup.
Alix & Anais learn about shapes.
I will miss these little monkeys in the new year as I am no longer permitted to work when my Visa expires. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Au Pair'ing experience and would highly recommend it to anyone planning to relocate on a temporary basis. It was both challenging and rewarding, I can't think of a better way to have spent my year in France.
THANKS GUYS!
Hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying their holiday season!

Joel & Amy

Fete Des Lumieres

This weekend Lyon is celebrating it's annual Fete Des Lumieres (Festival of Lights). The story of the festival dates back to 1643 when Lyon was struck by the plague. The Lyonnais promised to pay tribute to Mary if it was spared. Since then, each year the people of Lyon light candles and place them in their windows in the name of Mary. The festival has since grown into the biggest lights festival in the world and certainly the only of it's kind. 

I wish I could put into words how spectacular some of these displays are. Using Lyon's biggest and most iconic buildings as backdrops, crowds of people enjoy projected light shows set to storytelling and music. 

Hot mulled wine and hot chocolate are served at every corner to help everyone stay warm. It really is an indescribable experience and completely untranslatable by pictures or video. We are really wishing all of our family and friends could be here to see it!

 THANKS guys, lots more to come in the next few weeks!

Joel & Amy

Homecoming Announcement

Hello All.

I bit of an announcement to make about the end of our adventures here in Lyon, France...

We have done all we can to add an additional 6 months to my Visa (working or non-working) but have been completely unsuccessful. 

Joel has been able to obtain a Titre De Sejour through work, which allows him to stay until 2016. 

SO, I will be making my way back to Ontario by the end of March 2014 and we are starting to get excited about finding our way home again. 

Joel will be continuing with his work in France until at least July 2014, so he will join me at home shortly after my return.

We still have plenty planned between now and then, including Christmas in Germany, lots of snowboarding in the Alps and a long weekend in Amsterdam so stay with us here at Deux Baguettes!
It's not over yet!

Joel & Amy

Chocolate!!!

Just returned from a lovely Saturday in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The weather is getting quite crisp these days but my friend Gill was happy to bear the wind and the cold to show us around her city.

After taking an early morning train we started our day off at the Patek Phillipe Museum. A very fancy shmancy display of watches put on by a Geneva-Based firm of master watchmakers. We stopped by several chocolate shops to taste a few treats, browsed the "old town" and sat down for several relaxing drinks. 

Gil is a week away from finishing her 3 month internship at The World Health Organization in Geneva. She will then head to the South of France for a week of relaxation before heading home. 

It was great to have a friend close by for a while. Enjoy Nice Gil. See you in the new year!   

                                                                                          

THANKS GUYZZZ
Joel & Amy

CREPES!

 Getting better with every crepe!

                                         

Tonight's recipe is a regular crepe recipe (found here), using almond milk instead of milk, and an added tablespoon each of ground flax seed and fibre flakes. Wrapped inside this healthy crepe alternative is sauteed seasonal mushrooms, baby spinach, garlic and onions with a dash of fresh ground pepper. 

Sprinkled on top is one of my favourite market finds: 

Emmental (or Swiss) cheese. 

AMAZING! 

THANKS!

Joel & Amy

Discovering London

Another weekend of travelling that we absolutely cannot complain about. 

We caught wind that our pal in London, JC, may be heading back to Canada. So, we took quick advantage of one of Joel's work trips to Peterborough last week and extended it to include a weekend with the Queen.

RIGHT: Keeping warm at the Borough Market.

JC is easily the perfect host. Very knowledgeable on the history of the city and well acquainted with the hot-spots. 

We browsed several weekend markets and hit up a pop-up bar that served delicious hot-mulled cider. Which was a very cozy way to keep warm in the cold, wet weather. 

LEFT: JC and I take in the London Eye.

RIGHT: JC talks us through Trafalgar Square.

BELOW: Joel and I at Buckingham Palace.

Another amazing city to have been able to check off our list. Would not have been quite the same had JC not been such a great guide. 

Thanks for having us! It was great to see all your favourite cafes & pubs and meet your friends from around the world.

We'll meet again soon!

Joel & Amy

Deux Baguettes - Get Greek

From our two-week trip to Greece back in August. I do apologize for the tardiness.

Deux Baguettes - Greece from PaddyRumble on Vimeo.

THANKS GUYS!

Joel & Amy

Visits from the Swiss.

...or temporarily Swiss. 

An old pal from Fonthill stopped by Lyon this weekend. Gill is spending three months just North/East of us in Geneva, Switzerland on an internship for her Masters. Making her way down here by train, despite an unfortunate strike by French rail workers, we were happy she was able to squeeze us in. Since the two of us are old soccer chums, we headed down to the Stade Gerland for an Olympique Lyonnais game (our second of the season). Even though mother nature attempted to bog us down with a monsoon of rain, we had a good game of catch-up over wine and baguettes. 

THANKS so much for making the trip Gill!
Looking forward to heading to Geneva in a few weeks.

Joel & Amy

A Visit from the Foodies

On Tuesday we said Adios to my sister Christine and her fiance Anthony, our most recent travel companions in the EU. After spending a few days touring Paris, they took the train to Lyon to check out our little french stomping grounds. 

As one of Niagara's top chefs, Anthony was excited to indulge in Lyon's top restaurants and gourmet food markets AND we were excited (but also nervous) to show him some of our favourite spots. 

The weather is still reasonably warm so we were able to travel by Lyon's city bikes. RIGHT: we cross La Saone River to Old Lyon.

LEFT: Christine and Anthony stop by Paul Bocuse's Les Halles. A gourmet food market owned by Lyon's most famous chef.

After catching an Olympique Lyonnais soccer game we started our road trip to Barcelona.

BELOW: We made a one-night stop in the lovely Girona Spain, to enjoy a lavish dinner at Massana, a spot Anthony researched before their departure.

Upon our arrival in Barcelona we discovered unseasonable +30 temperatures and gorgeous sun and sands. We found ourselves soaking up vast amounts of sangria, tasting tapas after tapas and settling into the city's El Born District. 

We toured Gaudi's architecture and browsed the expensive shops of La Rambla. What an amazing city!

Buen Viage Christine and Anthony, was a pleasure wining and dining with you!
Hope you enjoyed the tastes of France and Spain.

Joel & Amy

Home from Home

Another successful trip back to Canada. It was a pleasure to be able to spend Thanksgiving with everyone (I'm already going into pumpkin pie withdrawals) and attend two very special weddings.

Congrats to Avril & Conroy (right) 

AND Matt & Shufen (below)

Two amazing parties. Definitely glad being in France isn't keeping me from missing these big events.

(Just me on this trip as we've been a bit greedy with Joel's vacation time)

THANKS, Joel & Amy

Half Marathon - Run In Lyon

A successful day to report from here in Lyon. On Sunday, Oct 6th, both of us took part in Lyon's RUN in LYON. A combination Marathon/Half-Marathon/10KM Race held right in the heart of the city, through the city park and along it's two famous rivers. We both ran the Half-Marathon distance, crushing a mere 21.1KM. There were 7600 participants in the "Half" distance category. I finished in 02:09:11 pulling a 1123rd placement in the female category and Joel managed a 01:45:53 time, snagging the 2427th spot in the male category, not bad for his first race (talk about an over-achiever...ever heard of a 5K?? Geez).

Thanks for stopping by!

Joel & Amy

PHOTO CONTEST - Please vote!

Hey guys! Calling in a HUGE favour for those of you with Facebook accounts. I entered a photo I took in Oignt, Beaujolais Wine Region into a photo contest held by my employers Baby-Speaking. If I win we get a weekend trip to The Mont St Michel!!! Please head on over to the facebook page ( HERE ) and click LIKE on my photo. It's the one below! 

Joel & Amy

Musee Miniature et Cinema

Okay, so I'm slowly discovering what a huge and historic underground film industry there is here in Lyon AND I could not be more excited about it. Joel and I ventured over to Vieux Lyon to The Museum of Miniatures and Film Props. A combined collection of miniature scenes and legendary film props all created and re-set in one of Old Lyon's historic buildings. Love unearthing Lyon's hidden gems.

THANKS guys!

Joel & Amy

Visitors 7 & 8!!

 I think we need to install a revolving door on our guest room! This is great, my Mom and Aunt Brenda   are the most recent visitors to make the trip to Lyon while enjoying their 3 week vacation from Welland. A bit of a mix of weather as the seasons change but nothing that kept us inside!

 Joel and I took a few days off work so we could spend a long weekend in the South of France. Making quick stops in Avignon (seen left), Cannes and Monaco (to put $20 on black at Monte Carlo) then spending 3 nights in Nice. 

Right: Mom and Brenda check out the view from Castle Hill in Nice.

Below: We round out their trip with a Saturday in The Beaujolais Wine Region for some wine tasting.

On Monday they took a train up to Paris to finish their trip off with a few more French must-sees.

THANKS again for the visit!

Always a pleasure hosting friends and family.

Joel & Amy

Full House

No rest for the wicked. So happy to have welcomed a few visitors this past week. Our friend JC, who lives in London, took a few trains down to spend four days with us and my pal Chelsea, from back home, just headed home after a week with us. All four of us were able to see Lyon and visit nearby Annecy for some final "swimming off the paddle boats" before we lose the heat. Then, this past weekend, Chelsea and I spent a romantic weekend in Paris. As per usual; check out the highlights!

JC and Joel go for the GRANDE box of churros after burning some cals swimming in Lac D'Annecy.

Below, Chels soaks up the Lyon lifestyle.

We spent an afternoon grazing the Louvre Museum; now a Parisian highlight for me.

And of course, the classic ten minutes sitting in the Champ de Mars staring up at the Eiffel Tower.

Thanks so much for making the trek out to Lyon you two, what a great week!

Joel & Amy

GREECE!

Hey, folks.

I was hoping to post a video of our trip to Greece but I'm having some technical issues with my computer so I've decided to post some of our favourite pictures! There are so many highlights to share so lets start with our first stop, Greece's capital city of ATHENS.

We spent a full day touring Athens before boarding our first ferry to Santorini island. We ran the track at the Olympic Stadium, climbed the rocky outcrop to see the Acropolis up close and browsed the Acropolis Museum. Lots of great history in this city.

(Left: Out front of the Olympic Stadium)

(Right: Joel enjoys the view of the city from the Acropolis Hill)

(Below: One of the many pork gyros consumed; Greece has THE BEST food. I could not eat enough Greek yogurt and honey, I already miss their morning frappes)

 
                       

Next we headed out to the gorgeous Santorini Island for five days of camping. Lots of hiking and soaking up the views were on the agenda.....check and check!

We could not have been more impressed by this destination.

(Right: Arriving by ferry to Santorini Island)

(Below: Our tiny home, away from home, we were pleasantly surprised by how cool we stayed at night considering the blistering heat we experienced during the day) @ Santorini Camping in Thira.

Our first hike of the trip took us from the centre of the island to the Northern tip and the tiny village of Oia. At the end of the rocky 12km jaunt we discovered a pool bar that overlooked the Ocean, a perfect reward to a hard days work. Santorini never disappoints!

(Right: Joel looks out at our destination)

From Santorini's old port we took a short excursion in a pirate boat to the Santorini Volcano and hot springs.

(Left: Joel takes advantage of the hot spring's healing properties)

Next we took a speed-ferry to the Island of Crete where we did some more camping near the city of Hiraklion. Lots of rocky beaches to relax on here.

(Right: Soaking in the warm pools on the Northern shore)

Below you'll see us on a day-trip into the city to see the Old Port and visit the Palace Ruins of Knossos.

For our next, and sadly final stop, we took a bus West to Chania. A very tourist-friendly zone where you can "check out the shops" for hours on end. We stayed amongst the harbour-front restaurants in the old port and took one final bus to the top of the Samaria Gourge where we hiked another 14km down to Crete's Southern shore. 

(Above: Joel waves goodbye to Crete as we prep for our ferry back to Athens)

(Right: Stopping for a water break in Samaria Gorge National Park)

We were more than pleased with our trip to Greece. The combination of antiquity, mountainous hiking, relaxing beaches, stunning views and palatable dishes was perfect for Joel's summer vacation from work and my......well.....vacation from vacation. 

*We welcome you to click on the images to see a larger version.

THANKS everyone, hope to post some footage of the trip soon!

Joel & Amy