We've had a wonderful day! We are on the TGV returning to Avignon from Lyon and the sun is starting to set. It's only an hour's ride, and so I'll try to summarize our day quickly.
After a late breakfast at our hotel we got a text message from Christine saying they were nearing Lyon, so we checked out and just before noon Christine and Julien picked us up and took us for a quick tour of the old part of Lyon up on a hill near the restaurant they had chosen for lunch. The restaurant Balthaz'art was a great choice - we sat upstairs and had a fantastic lunch - the restaurant is in the Michelin guide, and its reputation is well-deserved. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. We all had lamb - the most tender and mild lamb we've ever eaten. Appetizers and desserts were to die for, and the wine was excellent. Bravo Julien for your choice! We talked and talked and caught up on each other's lives for 3 hours before visiting Lyon's Roman Ruins and the Fouviere Basilica at the top of another high hill overlooking the Rhone and Soane. Lyon has some beautiful buildings along it's riverbanks, and lots of trees, making it appear to be a very green city. From the hilltop we could just make out Mont Blanc in the hazy distance. It was a hot day - sunny and very warm; Christine and Julien made sure we got to the station in plenty of time for our train, and even came up on the platform with us. They have been great hosts, and we appreciate their care for us today. It's hard to believe that we've known Christine for 23 years, and we are so pleased that we are still in touch. She sends her love and best wishes to her friends in Canada!
As the sun sets in France we are thinking of our next 6 days before we return to Canada on the 26th. More old villages and more kilometers on our little gray Dacia diesel making good memories of our holiday here.
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