The Progression of Spring

Posted on 12 April, 2012 by Megan Miln

The first spring flowers started to appear about a month ago, and we have seen a steady stream of blooms since.

Poppies in centre of a tree lined boulevard

The most surprising thing for me has been watching the progression of the flowers. Each variety seems to bloom for a brief week or two before being replaced by something new.

A poppy amongst spring flowers

The daffodils, which were the first to poke up through the grass, have now mostly gone. Next were the flowering trees, covered in pink and white blossoms that have since been replaced by bright new leaves.

And this week, the gardens are filled with opening poppies swaying at the slightest breeze.

Newly opened poppies

The Rooftops of Lyon

Posted on 13 March, 2012 by Megan Miln

Part of Lyon is built on a steep slope. This provides great opportunities to look out over the rooftops and across the city below. For me, there is something oddly appealing about viewing the city from amongst the chimneys.

Ferris wheel in Place Bellecour behind the rooftops

Red rooftops and chimneys in Lyon

Bee Nesting Boxes in Parc de la Tête d’Or

Posted on 8 March, 2012 by Megan Miln

For a while now, the idea of one day keeping bees has been growing in my mind. So, when I caught a passing glimpse of some bee hives in a corner of Parc de la Tête d’Or, I was keen to go back for a closer look.

Bee nesting shelters in Parc de la Tete d'Or

Bee nesting shelters in Parc de la Tête d'Or

As it turns out, they are not bee hives, but nesting boxes to encourage wild bees. A series of shelters each holds nine boxes filled with different nesting materials- twigs, hollow bamboo, logs with holes drilled in them, and blocks of clay. These bee shelters are part of the UrbanBees Project.

Different nesting materials in bee shelters

Drilled logs in a bee nesting box

I didn’t see any bees while I was there, but I’m hopeful they may appear as summer approaches.

Wattle at the Market

Posted on 6 March, 2012 by Megan Miln

Most mornings, a market sets up along the Saône River. The market hosts an array of fresh produce, and right at one end there is a flower stall. I was quite surprised to see bunches of what appears to be wattle for sale at the flower stall this week.

Wattle at the market

I associate wattle so strongly with Australia; I did not expect to see it here in Lyon, let alone at the end of winter.

First Signs of Spring

Posted on 4 March, 2012 by Megan Miln

This weekend has brought the first signs of spring in Lyon.

Daffodils in the grass

Yesterday afternoon was perfect for a walk in the park; the sun was shining, and it was warm enough not to need a coat. We headed to Parc de la Tête d’Or and were greeted by the first spring flowers poking up through the grass.

A purple flower in the grass

Emerging daffodils

Early Mornings in the City

Posted on 22 February, 2012 by Megan Miln

One of my favourite times to be out and about in a large city is the early morning, as the city slowly comes to life, and before the usual mass of people arrive. It is a time of day you share with delivery drivers, cleaners, and those out exercising and walking their dogs.

Part of my weekly routine in Melbourne included early morning runs by the Yarra River. For a large part of the year I got to watch the sun rise during those runs. I am not naturally awake early in the morning, so getting up was a challenge, but those runs were often the highlight of my day.

Yarra River in Melbourne

This morning, I dragged myself out of a cosy bed and braved the cold for a morning run in Lyon. It is not my first run since arriving, but it is the first one I’ve done in the early morning. Similar to Melbourne, my route takes me along the river, this time the Rhône.

As my lungs burned with the cold air, I focussed on the pale pink morning sky and the buildings across the river with purple smoke drifting from their chimneys and the fire orange sun reflected in their windows. There is something about running in a city before the day begins that really makes it feel like yours, and I imagine my new routine here will see many more sunrises by the river.

Lyon’s Bridges

Posted on 21 February, 2012 by Megan Miln

Two rivers run through the centre of Lyon, the Rhône and the Saône. Living between the two rivers means our outings generally take us over a bridge.

Passerelle du Palais de Justice over the frozen Saône

The bridges in Lyon are not only practical, they are also beautiful. They have been built at different times throughout the city’s history, and each has its own unique character.

Pont de l'Université over the Rhône

Pont Bonaparte over the frozen Saône

Pont Masaryk over the Saône

French Green Lentils

Posted on 18 February, 2012 by Megan Miln

Lentils feature fairly regularly in our meals, and last week I picked up a bag of French green lentils at the supermarket. I haven’t used green lentils before, but they seemed to be the common variety on the shelves.

I didn’t think any more of them until I got them out to cook dinner this evening. They are just so pretty with their mottled blue-green skins. They almost look like tiny blue stones.

French green lentils

Remembering to Look Up

Posted on 17 February, 2012 by Megan Miln

Lyon is an old city. The city centre is dominated by narrow streets flanked by beautiful old buildings complete with iconic French shutters on the windows. Big, heavy wooden doors open into courtyards where stone spiral staircases weave up to apartments. The varying states of gentle decay add to the charm.

Théâtre des Célestins surrounded by apartments

I have lived most of my life in Australian cities where most buildings and structures were built in the last 100 years. Being suddenly surrounded by Lyon’s old facades sometimes feels a little unreal, like I’m living on a film set.

Buildings along the Saône

Walking along the main streets surrounded by crowds and modern glass store fronts, it can be easy to forget that the stores are housed in ancient buildings, until you look up.

Buildings around Place Bellecour

Westonbirt Arboretum

Posted on 31 January, 2012 by Megan Miln

We enjoyed a walk in Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury, UK. The Arboretum has wide paths and open spaces amongst the trees. It is clearly a popular place for families with young children and dogs, who can run and play freely.

Frosted gate at Westonbirt Arboretum

It was a cold, sunny morning, and the ice crunched under foot as we wandered along. Being winter, many of the trees had lost their leaves, but there were still vistas of vivid greens and oranges.