More Visitors!

Last week we entertained the company of good friends Laura & Henry. After spending 3 days in Paris they took the high speed train down to meet us at Lyon's Part Dieu Station. We couldn't believe the luck they had with the weather! After about a month and a half of rain the skies cleared and let them enjoy 3 days of sunshine in Lyon. With temperatures at around +15 they were happy to be away from home for the week. 

On their first day we took a guided tour to the Beaujolais Wine Region. We got some good info about the wine making process and the history of the region before stopping at a small family winery for some tastings. Then we checked out the medieval town of Perouges.

We spent the next few days touring Lyon. Visiting the classics like Fourviere Hill, Vieux Lyon, The Paul Boccuse Market, Brasserie Georges AND The Miniatures and Film Props Museum! 

Right: We browse the Parc De La Tete D'Or.

Below: Enjoying some Vin Chaud outside of Lyon's City Hall.

                                                                   

Then we all headed to the Lyon Airport to catch a quick flight up to Amsterdam (Joel too!) We managed to fit SO much into each of our days (lots of walking!)

The Anne Frank Haus, The Van Gogh Museum, The Heineken Experience (not just a brewery tour!), The Tulip Market, NEMO The Science Centre (Joel's idea), an evening canal cruise, The Red Light District AND of course, we didn't forget to taste the pancakes.

The day after we arrived we got to celebrate Laura's 30th birthday, her only request was lots of beer, I think we nailed it.

Again, using the AirBnB website we stayed in this cute little Boat House on one of the canals. 

This is one of the coolest cities we've visited, I've already claimed that it broke my top three locations that we've travelled to all year. I feel like I could have jumped right on a bike and joined the locals. It's nice when you visit a city and get a good feel of what it would be like to live there. 

THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING BATES & HENRY!!!

You two were great travel companions and it was a pleasure being your hosts in Lyon. PROOST! See you really soon.

This Friday we welcome another set of friends and can't wait to show them around and explore Turin, Italy with them!

Joel & I were happy to have been able to watch a lot of the Olympics via live-stream on a French website. Though we may have missed a lot of what was happening to any Canadians who didn't medal we still feel like we were able to celebrate Canada's success. Woohoo!

THANKS GUYS!

Joel & Amy

Deux Baguettes - Porto, Portugal

Deux Baguettes - Portugal from PaddyRumble on Vimeo.

Song is "The Wire" by HAIM.
THANKS GUYS!

Amy (& Joel)

Uncle Pete & Uncle Jeff in France

 Last week we met my Uncle Peter and my Uncle Jeff in Chamonix/Mont Blanc to join them in discovering the French Alps. Jeff and Joel, being the more advanced on the slopes, were hoping to take a guided tour and ski one of Mont Blanc's glaciers. Unfortunately the weather was slightly less than ideal and the guided tours were cancelled. BUT Peter and I were able to enjoy our Sunday activity (see above). "Just keep running off that cliff" they said "We'll do the rest". 

Paragliding wasn't exactly on either one of our bucket lists but it was certainly an experience to remember. A gorgeous 15 minutes of peacefully gliding over the slopes and the city below, very nice. 

They then popped down to Monaco and the Monte Carlo before joining us in Lyon where we enjoyed a lovely few days of browsing the city in the rain, relishing in Lyon's most impressive restaurants and cafes. 

Jeff enjoys my singing from the top of Lyon's Roman Ruins. 

Tasting the micro-brewed beer of Brasserie Georges.

They scheduled themselves just a half-day to enjoy the romance of Paris before flying home.

Thanks so much for the visit you two, our livers will be in recovery for weeks.

Joel & Amy