Weekend Geneva/Lyon

It was great to set off on a trip with Marco. We haven't travelled together for years, so it was very special. After a short stop at Morat, Murten, we arrived, or thought we had arrived at our destination. Marco was keeping it top secret, so I could not help much with looking for it. We drove deep into a forested area where a hotel seemed unlikely, but suddenly there we were at the Chateau de Bossy, an old monastery beautifully renovated, with a fabulous garden and a party scheduled for 400 guests!

And magnificent view of the mountains in the distance, Marco in the foreground.

After a long search for a restaurant for a pre- dinner drink we ended up in a little village quite close, and by then I had realised that we were close to a good friend, Fred, who had spent 3 months as a homestay in NZ. What a nice surprise, and even better to see him later in the evening after we had eaten a delicious 3- course dinner with coffee for only 20 francs per person at our wonderful hotel!  The salmon as main course was truly delicious. What an amazing price for a restaurant in Switzerland.

Fred only lives two kilometres away. What a remarkable coincidence! It was such a beautiful evening with two great friends.


Anyway, the next day, after endless traffic jams through The pretty town of Annecy where I had hoped we could stop a while, we arrived, rather sweaty, at Berangere's appartment in Lyon. Lovely attic flat, very central. What a lovely warm welcome. Then Marco and I went into town, to be surprised by a group of people trying to perform the Haka in the central square, Bellecours. 

It is a special rugby weekend, so very busy in the city, though this photo below does not give the feeling there were crowds there!

Of course, we ate well in a little Creperie in a tiny back street near the opera and then I had a slightly restless night because it was exceptionally hot in the attic and more so because there was an incredible storm, with simultaneous thunder and lightning. I am a bit of a coward when it comes to such storms! 

It was, however, lovely to be there and meet Berangere, a new teacher for Zuoz. We walked through this beautiful city, over bridges and along the Rhone, to the magnificent Sunday market.


I love that market. It is packed with shoppers, the stalls are so colourful, the stallkeepers so friendly and energetic, and the food looks ao fresh - and generally so cheap! It was nice to be able to buy great French cheese and meat for the evening meal.


Then sasly it was time to make our way back to Zurich. A long drive for Marco on busy roads. Thanks Marco for a great time.