GOING BACK FOR ONE LAST LOOK...

A POST-SCRIPT FROM LYON...

Hello beasties!

It's a shorter post this week before we get into the Christmas spirit (as if!) and head ever-onwards towards the end of the year...

I took so many photos and did so much writing whilst I was staying in Lyon for my birthday, between the 9th and the 14th November, that I decided to keep the photos from my last full day on the 13th, for a third and final post. You're probably used to the photos being a little wonky - so I won't mention it again and will just move on... This time I also aim to air a piece that continues the daftness that I began with my OH! FLORENCE! poem many years ago - a theme that I have continued over a number of prose pieces more recently.

Firstly, let's look around Lyon one last time... On that last day we mainly went back to the old town, up the hill and back round by the town hall and museum of fine art - a little square of the city which had pretty much been our stomping ground during the rest of the trip.

These final photos were from the gallery gardens, taken on two different days; it was a very peaceful (except for screaming kids playing hide-and-seek) haven away from the busier aspects of Lyon life.

Next time I'll be presenting you with another of my interviews, recently given to THE BEARGRRRIAN GAZETTE. They are terribly kind to me; it's lovely to get the attention to talk about my work. The week after the interview I'll be presenting something vaguely Christmassy - followed by my blog review of the year for 2015. I know... You just can't wait! But you will have to...

For now I'll leave you with my short ode to Lyon...

More soon,

Yeti hugs,

Paul xx 

P.S. Except for a few notes before I arrived in the city - the actual writing of this piece was made in the late afternoon and evening of Friday 13th November 2015, near my hotel and in room 417 of the hotel. (My room, by the way! I didn't just randomly walk into the first room I came across!) Pretty much all of the photos in this post were taken on the 13th too! I made final changes to LYON AND I on Saturday 28th November, just before posting it.

LYON AND I.

I've never met a city quite like Lyon...

I know, I know... I've said this before...

About Florence, about Paris, about Lisbon and L.A. About Venice.
They all have their own personalities -
And I have fallen in love with all of them in their own way...

And Lyon, well Lyon and I have never been lovers -

Although I love her tree-lined streets and wide-open squares, 

The Basilica - the old town - the rivers...

Lyon, to me, is more the supportive friend...
Someone that you can always rely on - can always turn to...

Oh, go ahead and laugh at me...

But that's how we are - that's how she is...
Easing the way for me; aware that I wasn't well.

She guided me down the safer side-streets - 

Avoiding the cobbles and the crowds...

I never once made a wrong turning during my visit -

Each destination approaching without delay...

All those trains and trams and buses that I took -

It seemed, almost miraculously, that they came on time.

Meals arrived at record speed - accompanied by charming waiters.

When I needed to rest, there was always seat...

It wasn't like that back in Berlin in the spring.

I don't like to speak ill of a city - but some of them really test you...

Some almost seem to revel in seeing you trip on a curb;

Even more so if you fall on your face...

Some cities love it if you get lost in their alleys,

Miss the last bus back to the hotel -

Or suffer the after-effects of a dodgy oyster eaten in one of their restaurants...

But not Lyon.

Her guiding hand insisted that I should enjoy my days in her company.

She shined brightly for me at night -

Was playful with the morning mist - but always ensured that it cleared before lunch;

She kept me warm and dry, even in November.

The birthday boy.

Do please come again - we hope you enjoyed your stay...

Indeed, I did and yes - it would be my pleasure.

Lyon and I remain good friends...

Give me the nod and I'll put a good word in for you....

 

This post and all content are Copyright, Paul Chandler 2015.