Days 294-296      Wednesday 19th – Friday 21st November 2008

Stayed in San Remo for one night, leaving the caravan hitched up to the car and not connected to the water, ready for a quick get-away for our longer than usual 533km journey. Left at 8.00am on a beautiful sunny morning, not a cloud in the sky.

Back up to the motorway, heading west into France, through another 25 tunnels. Talking about the tunnels…… each tunnel has only one-way traffic in it, with a separate tunnel for the other carriageway, so in all there are (138+25) x2 (approximately) – 326 total …………. Oh to have been in the tunnel-boring business at the right time!

The motorway traffic was heavy - not like our usual Sundays, and we took it in turns to drive. Tolls were also heavy – total of 68.60€ – a bit annoying considering the loads of road works we went through when we got to France. Weather changed to cloudy now.

Had three stops, probably an hour total, went on round the Lyon by-pass and arrived at Camping Indigo Lyon, just north of the City at 3.30pm. It is in the Porte de Lyon (doorway to Lyon) which seems to be a new area designed specifically for people to stay in whilst visiting the city – there are some big hotels, the Caravan site, small cafes and some restaurants. There is also a big shopping centre 500m away on the other side of the motorway.

Went into reception and were immediately offered a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau – it was a day early but they’d managed to get a preview delivery. We like this site already! Picked a good spot and put the kettle on.

Next day it was still cloudy, and cooler, when we visited the city centre – Lyon is the third largest city in France after Paris and Marseilles. Started on the bus (on time) then metro (on time). The metro is brilliant – very clean, comfortable and quick. Also there is no driver as it is fully automatic. We sat right at the front like a couple of kids, staring into the tunnel – just like the Runaway Mine Train at Disney! Great fun.

            Then up on a funicular railway to the beautiful landmark Basilica on the hill which can be seen from miles around. 1€ 60 each which covered the bus, the metro and the funicular.  Walked back down the hill and entered the Vieux Lyon (old town) – a maze of small streets, famous for its Traboules et Passage - little narrow passageways through courtyards linking them. Walked between the Rivers Saone and The Rhone which both pass through the city.  It happened to be the Beaujolais Nouveau Day which was being promoted everywhere. When we arrived back at the Caravan Site we were invited for a tasting of B N produced by a lovely lady on her farm about 7k away. Lovely wine so we had to buy a few bottles.

Lyon is a lovely City which we have only driven past on the motorway before. It is ideal city break material and we’d love to come back and explore some more.

Filled up with diesel 1.07€ per litre, much cheaper now. The plan is to move on to Langres tomorrow for one night and then on to Calais for two nights before travelling through the Channel Tunnel on Tuesday 25^th November.

Very mixed feelings – sad that our trip is ending but looking forward to seeing friends and family, especially looking forward to Baby Hector’s first Christmas. Our house in Bristol is still rented until the end of January so we will be staying with Anne’s Mum.

We will update the blog when we get back to the UK

A Bientot.

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