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

Galette Des Rois

Joel and I have recently taken part in the French ritual of the King Cake. Traditionally celebrating Epiphany in France and Quebec this pastry is served in most bakeries during the month of January to "Draw the Kings". Each family sized pastry has a layer of frangipane (sweet almond paste) and is cut into pizza slices. Hidden within the cake is a trinket or tiny figurine, whoever finds the prize in their piece becomes king for the day, wears the crown and is to offer the next cake. Traditionally you are to cut one extra piece "for the poor" and it was served to the first poor person to arrive to the home (I guess that would be me, I'm never one to waste food anyways). 

This delicious dessert is quite a popular custom here in Lyon, you can find them in every shop window in different sizes and flavours. Joel said he even spotted someone at work sporting the crown after their lunch break. 

I found this recipe for anyone feeling ambitious enough to make their own; RECIPE

For those wondering, the prize was found in my piece but Joel had already gone to bed for the night so my reign as King was uneventful and short-lived.

THANKS GUYS!

Joel & Amy

Peanut Butter Girl

A Bamsey Family Christmas

Hello all. 

Please join us as we discover our most Northern destinations yet. Appearances by Joel's Uncle Tom and Aunt Sheena, his cousin Nathan, Nathan's girlfriend Lindsay, Joel's cousin Matt, his wife Micheline (who live in Bremen), Mich's Mum Loraine and their dog Brutus. Special thanks to our hosts Uta and Karlo for having us in their home over the holidays. 

Deux Baguettes - Christmas in Germany from PaddyRumble on Vimeo.

Please stay safe and warm!
Joel & Amy

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