Eden and Elisabet vivent la difference: Trip to Lyon; 17-19 May 2013

Earlier in the year I took the girls to London for some special time and had promised Eden that I would take him away for some special time too.  Anne-Isabelle, my dear friend who I knew from my Sanofi days has been to visit us consistently over the last few years, but I haven't visited her in France since I took Mia when she was a baby, so it was high time that I made the effort.  She moved to Lyon from Nice for her job so I was excited to see her new town, particularly as I had only been to Lyon briefly once before.

Eden and I began our journey by taking the train from Telford to travel to BHX.

The plane was delayed, so we entertained ourselves by eating cake!

Eden LOVED the aeroplane, even though he looks a bit worried in the pictures, he loved take off and landing.

When we arrived, the weather was beautiful.  We decided to make the most of it by taking Eden to Parc de la Tete d'Or which had a zoo in it.  It then decided to rain!!

After the rain stopped, the sun came out again and we went to see the roman remains of the city.

The next morning after breakfast, we went to the local market.  This is one of my favourite things about France, walking down the market stalls, tasting produce, looking at the amazing wares.  Eden enjoyed it too saying "I like the snacks mummy" (referring to the samples we were being given as we walked around.)

After lunch we went to a museum about Film which Eden enjoyed. He loved seeing the batman mask and Harry Potter wand.  He was delighted to rounded off the day  by spending some of his pocket money that Aunty Karen and given him by buying some posh ice cream in a really nice palour.

Our little break ended far too quickly, we rounded off the trip by taking Eden to a proper French restaurant. The food was amazing.  When I asked the chef what was on the children's menu, he said "trust me, I will bring him food to eat".  I was a little doubtful when he emerged with a bloody steak (when Eden asked about the blood, I said it was special ketchup!!), but to my astonishment, he ate every single mouthful and then some!  The trip wouldn't have been complete without a tantrum, and after a couple of hours, Anne and I managed to coax Eden to play in the park to expend some energy before the plane journey back.

It was amazing to spend time with Anne, our friendship spans 15 years, and even though we only get to see each other once a year, we always pick up where we left off.  It was also lovely to see her new apartment and the city where she lives. Lyon blew me away; all the charm of Paris but much friendlier and more colourful, the architecture a distinct mix of the alabaster of Paris and the colourful rendering of the South.