Monday, 15 November
Wow! This has truly been a very successful day! So far – and it’s only lunchtime – we have
1) Gotten our weekly transport passes;
2) Margie got a new WARM coat;
3) Robert has now received his French Health Pass, so he can come with to dinner!
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| A great breakfast! |
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| Amazing statue along the Saone |
So, from the top:
When visiting Lyon previously, we had gotten TCL cards which enabled us to use unlimited transport – Metro, bus, tram, funiculaire - for a week, which
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| Place Bellecoeur |
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| My new WARM jacket! |
we then renewed as we were here for two weeks. This time, our old passes had truly just expired and we needed to find out where to renew them. It was difficult, as we got here on Saturday late afternoon, as shops were closing, and yesterday, Sunday, nothing was open at all that we could ascertain.
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| I'm cold just looking at him! |
The important thing about these passes is that they are not tourist-connected. We didn’t want to pay for three or four days of transport and museums, etc. as we were going to be staying a longer period. I’ve no doubt we will visit some of the musees on offer, but we didn’t want the attraction attached to transport. We tend to like to just get on a bus or a tram and ride to the end to see what there is to see! That was the first project on the agenda!
So … up this morning about 7:30 am. Down to Chez Jules, a boulangier just down the street next to the St. Paul for pain au chocolat and croissants.
Back to the flat, and it’s amazing how much better breakfast tastes when you can slather raspberry jam all over it! Then, out the door once more and walking to Place Bellecoeur. That is the main plaza in town – very large, and in the summer, I’m sure is filled with tourists and all sorts of things go on there. This time, it was rather deserted; we headed toward the Tourist Information office. Very nice man greeted me, and pointed out the TCL office – just across the square. He also provided us with an up-to-date transportation map which has now become R’s private property.
Greeted by a nice man at the TCL office, and given a number corresponding to a desk – fortunately, our number 55 was just then announced, so with absolutely no wait at all, there was a lovely clerk! She explained that the old passes were cancelled, and asked if we’d like to keep our same photos, which were still on file in their data base! Absolutement! And in something well less than 5 minutes, we not only had our new TCL passes, they were charged up for the entire week! Yippee!!!
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| Front of Fourviere Cathedral and Altar of St. Jean Cathedral |
With new cards in hand, we headed to the Metro to see if we could find our way to a large Monoprix in town. We had been there multiple times on our last visit, but always from our apartment – this was truly on the other side of town! We took the Metro a couple of stops, and then made our way on to buses – and eventually, we ended up at our Monoprix! YEAH! We had a few things to pick up and I casually looked at women’s coats. The problem was that the coats were lovely, but they weren’t what I needed! I figured I needed some sort of sporting goods store, as I wanted something heavy and warm. Made several purchases, and as we were heading out, we ran into the men’s department – and MY NEW COAT!!! It is a man’s size medium, and is a bit too long in the sleeves for me … but sleeves can certainly be rolled up and the main – in fact the only factor for me about now – is that it’s WARM!! My red coat has been very handy in the past, so I’m thinking to mail it home in a “If It Fits – It Ships” box; the post office is just down the street, so it should be easy to do.
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| Fourviere interior |
Going to have a spot of lunch – cheese, salami, baguette and then, I’m thinking, we’ll take the funiculaire to Fourviere for a walk around! The day is really overcast, so not necessarily the best for photography – but it will be fun to get back up there once again!
More later!
m
xxx
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| Fourviere interior; stunning colors! |
Early evening now, before dinner time. We had a nice trip up the funiculaire and a very cold visit to Fourviere! The wind was blowing a gale! Also, it appears that The Masked Bandit has reappeared! In past years, when we traveled in the winter, R would take lots of photographs of someone or other who seemed to be bundled up completely, with a scarf in front of her face so that you could only see her eyes! Hence, her name!
Now, though, I am discovering that while wearing a mask isn’t what anyone would choose to do – it does help keep your face warm! So, once again, The Bandit is back! We walked around the beautiful cathedral on the inside, and then again on the outside. It appears that the lovely restaurant that used to be next to the cathedral is in the midst of total renovation; too bad, as I was hoping for some hot chocolate! Oh well!
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| Fourviere altar |
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| More Fourviere |
Back down the funiculaire and we were able to pick up several bottles of water and a few items at the little market across from the entrance. Got everything home, and a total collapse (for me!) on the couch! It is a very comfy couch, and I had a very nice nap. Up now about 4:30 pm and, at some point, I will set things out again for dinner. Fortunately, tonight will be leftovers – always one of the best dinners around! At any rate, we’re definitely in for the night – I told R that now that he has just received his French Health Pass, we should go out to celebrate, but clearer thinking says an early night! So – more tomorrow!
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| The Masked Bandit! |
xxx
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| View from the Fourviere hill |
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