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