Lumiere Museum

Was excited to finally cross this one off the list.

Finally visited the Institute Lumier, a museum and villa, home of the Lumiere brothers who invented the cinematographe in 1885 and became the founders of motion picture and cinema. It was pretty awesome to see some of the original equipment and view some of the first ever recorded films. 

Right here in Lyon! Who knew!!??

THANKS
Joel & Amy (well just Amy this time)

A Very French Canadian Canada day

HAPPY CANADA DAY,

from France!

Even though both of us work on Monday, we did our best to create a typical Canadian style BBQ Sunday night. 

Cheeseburgers, bean salad and baked potatoes, yummy!

We adapted a little by adding one of our new favourite summer cocktails, The Monaco; 1/3 soda water, 2/3 light beer and a splash of grenadine, if you like Cream Soda, you'll love it!!!

We've also been keeping a good eye on the Tour de France which kicked off this weekend and we're excited to see it live!

If you're watching, make sure to tune in Saturday July, 13th when it passes through Lyon, right by our apartment!

We're also heading to Paris for the finish on Sunday July 21st and we'll be sure to take lots of pictures.

THANKS, for stopping by!

Hope everyone enjoys their long weekend,

Joel & Amy

The First Six Months

As we approach our sixth month in France together we felt the need to reminisce a little and recall some of the highlights we've hit so far. Appearances by our friend Dane and Joel's parents....

....will you be next?

Lots of fun and exciting things being planned for this summer so make sure to keep an eye on us!

THANKS for your interest!

Joel & Amy

Back home, from home

A very successful trip back to Canada. Fitting in as much as we could and seeing as many familiar faces as possible, thanks to everyone who took time for a visit! A big congratulations to our friends Laura & Henry who tied the knot on June 1st, have fun in Hawaii you crazy kids. You threw a great party!

See below the video-speech made by my "Co-Maid of Honour" and I.

The weather has been great since we returned to Lyon and we're excited to be planning our summer in Europe. Visitors welcome anytime!

THANKS,
Joel & Amy

The Bamseys in France AND ITALY

Enjoying some authentic Lyonnais.

A big thanks to the Bamseys for joining us in France! 

With 8 days in Lyon, 4 days in Italy, a week in Paris and day trips to Annecy, Mont Blanc and the Beaujolais wine country they definitely fit everything in they came to see, as they should, a couple of lucky ducks if you ask me! 

The view from Saint Michael's Abbey, Northern Italy.

Checking out the Villas of Lake Como, Italy.

On the roof of the Duomo in Milan, Italy.

Enjoying Happy Hour in Como, Italy

Outside of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.

Bon Voyage! We hope you enjoyed your trip.

We will be heading back to the gorgeous Welland, ON for the last few weeks of May to attend the wedding, and all things wedding related, of our good friends Henry and Laura. Hope to see everyone then! (Joel will only be making a short weekend trip for the wedding as he has work commitments here in Lyon)

THANKS, 

Joel & Amy

Dane's Visit

We were excited to have our first guest in Lyon this week! Our friend Dane stopped by between trips to England and Germany for just a few days so we tried to squeeze in as much as we could. We toured the city's park and sampled local dishes, wine and beer. Joel was able to take a day off so we also took a day-trip to Annecy (pictured below) and did some paddle boating in the Annecy Lake amongst the French Alps. Temperatures were pushing +30 while he was here so we ended up having a nice couple of days. Bon Voyage Dane!

THANKS!

Joel & Amy

Chamonix / Mont Blanc

This weekend we drove 2 1/2  hours North/East of Lyon into the French Alps to Chamonix/Mont Blanc Ski Resort (France/Italy/Switzerland). In our one full day of riding we probably covered 40% of the regular runs, not to mention another entire mountain of "Off-Piste" zones that require a guided tour, harness, safety training etc (Joel will go back for those next season). Conditions were pretty foggy at the peaks but it turned into a nice spring day on the mountain in the afternoon. THANKS to the Bamsey family for the lift tickets, we had a great weekend!

Mont Blanc, seen behind us,  is the highest peak in Western Europe at 4810m.

We also stopped in Annecy on the way home for lunch and to check out the Annecy Castle.


THANKS,
Joel & Amy