ASVEL

I think that it is probably about time that I made another blog entry, as so far my input has been fairly minimal to say the least. So I shall start with November 13, when I went to my first ever 'real' basketball match. I have been to see the Chester Jets play in England before now, but the Northgate Arena is more like Colwyn Bay leisure centre than a place for spectator sports!

Anyway, on the day in question, I went to see ASVEL (Lyon-Villeurbanne) against BC Kalev (who are from Estonia), I know that seems a bit wierd, but it was a european cup match, so there! ASVEL play at the Astroballe arena, which is a purpose built basketball stadium way out in the east of Lyon, but well served by the metro. Obviously this is where I was on the night, not in Tallinn, a little far for a weekday evening.

When I arrived, the stadium appeared quite small, but when I got inside and took my seat, it looked huge! I was a little early and the crowd was yet to arrive, but this gave me a moment to reflect and take a photo. I watched the two teams warm up for 5 minutes or so as my fellow spectators filled the arena. 20h30 arrived and the game began!

I was genuinely excited, the crowd was fantastic and the atmosphere was incredible. ASVEL quickly took an early lead and by the end of the 1st quarter they commanded a 10 point advantage. The second quarter followed a similar suite and by half time ASVEL had dominated the game. Unfortunately, the 3rd quarter was one which Kalev were able to show their true colours and completely out scored ASVEL with an agressive display of skills. By the end of the quarter they had stretched out a 12 point lead and the crowd was stunned into silence. The final quarter continued in a similar fashion, with Kalev seeming to ge all the luck, this was turning into a real game of two halves! The ASVEL defense finally sorted it self out, the crowd refound its voice and Kalev's scoring ability was reduced. The scores became closer as the seconds passed by and I was on the edge of my seat, completely enthralled and willing ASVEL on. Right on the stroke of full time, they were able to redeem themselves with a 3 point shot from Robert Conley to tie the game at 82 - 82, we were going to over time and the crowd could breathe once again! The over time last for 10 minutes and was a fast, action packed period, with drama and heart break. Eventually ASVEL lost the game 95 - 91, they were just unable to take advantage of vital scoring opportunities.

I left the arena slightly down beat with defeat, but still had a skip in my step after having watched an amazing game of basketball and confident that it wouldn't be too long before I returned to that magical place!

Je suis une jeune fille au pair!

After the slight hiccup in my original plans to wwoof around for a few months it became quite clear that I needed to do something, preferably that earnt me some money! After trawling through the usual job channels and finding nothing I signed up to an au-pair agency. I recieved lots of replies from families in Genva, Lausanne, Grenoble etc. which were a little bit to far away from J (ahhhhhh...), I then recieved a phone call from a British family living half an hour NW of Lyon in the Beaujolais region... and... to cut a short story even shorter, they liked me and I liked them so now I'm le jeune fille au pair pour la famille 'Innes'!

Robbie (amazing artist - take a look at www.robertinnes.co.uk) and Lousie (fantastic opera singer) and their three children live in a beautiful house on a hill near to Lozane, I work for them Mon-Fri and then return to Lyon to see J. I have a lovely room in there gite (available to rent in the future if any of you fancy a hol!), opposite the family house which is surrounded by vineyards and small wine makers. It has to be one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had, the children are lovely, the house is beautiful and Robbie and Lousie are great. Oh and they also have a lovely dog called Dylan (after Bob).

My french is also improving, although they are scottish and have only lived here for the past three years, they speak french fluently and the village is full of friendly french speakers so I am getting the practice I desperately needed!

I really feel like I have landed on my feet, after a shaky start in France, I am really enjoying my job (and the weather!) and its great to be near enough to J so we get to see each other regularly.

Here are some piccys of the Innes family house!

The view to the village from the vines, there are two churches in the village, the largest (you can see the spire) was build by the same family that built Louise and Robbbies house, unfortunately, they gave it some big bells. That chime. Four times an hour. All day. And night. LOUDLY.

Gamay grapes on the vine, due to the weather this year (lots of rain) there were more grapes than could be harvested, even after the vendange the vines were heavily laden with fruit. You can pick great bunches of the vines and munch the day away - also great for distracting screaming 2 year olds!

Le Bourg - The Innes family house.

Yes, these people are really my bosses, not at all strange.....