Wednesday, 31 October 2018
Photos of the Museum displays.
Confluence Photos, Lyon
France: Lyon Tues 30/10
The rain had stopped by the time we walked out but it was still very cold. The plan for the morning was to visit the Confluence Natural History Museum. As it didn't open till 11am we caught the bus over to Republic to take a walk. This has UNESCO World Heritage listing as a streetscape. We had seen parts of it in our travels but now walked the length. There is a very ornate building we couldn't identify, the Theatre and the Town Hall. We didn't take photos because it was very cold and we have lots of photos of buildings. We then walked the short distance across the Peninsular to the Saone River Landing for the Vaporretto or ferry as we know it. Our timing was very lucky because it was just starting to dock as we reached the bridge. It only runs down river hourly so if we had missed it we would have been using some other transport. It was an enclosed ferry thank goodness because the wind was bitter but the scenery was worthwhile. There are lots of retired river boats moored along the river banks used as houses, restaurants and offices which we are told are very expensive accommodation.
When we arrived at the last landing stage we found we still had quite a walk to the Confluence and the Museum entry but there is some exotic architechture in this new area and it was along the river so we took some photos as we went.
Unfortunately there was a half hour queue standing in the cold to just get into the building because it is school holidays. If it had not been so highly recommended I think Bob would have walked away. Once inside we found the shorter credit card queue for tickets and headed for the display rooms. The building itself is a bit like the Sydney Opera House in that it is a lot of building for a relatively small purpose dedicated space. Never the less it is architecturally interesting. The display rooms are dedicated to displaying the evolution of Earth's life forms and cultures. This has been achieved by thoughtful selection of facets rather than the whole overwhelming story. There was quite a representation of Australian animals including a Tasmanian Tiger and lots of Aboriginal Art detailing dreamtime stories. We spent an hour and a half taking it in and then squeezed ourselves into a small space in the cafe to have baguettes for a late lunch. Afterwards we went up to make use of the outside viewing platforms because the SUN was shining. From there we took the steps and walkway down through the building and decided not to visit the temporary exhibition. We took our first tram ride back to the area around the Gallery Lafayette shopping complex and scoped out the nearby train station that we leave from on Saturday. It was a short walk home from there and time for a rest.
In the evening we walked the streets around our apartment searching for a restaurant that was not Asian. French restaurants are all closed for the season or seem to only operate for the traditional hot midday meal. We have been told by our guides that the French are work shy and it is only immigrants who really put in the hours. We have decided to take the bus into the central square in future where there is a concentration of restaurants which stay open for tourists. Our walking guide pointed out a side street where the meals are not over the top expensive. We did eventually find a Bar/ Brasserie near the Station and had an edible meal.
When we arrived at the last landing stage we found we still had quite a walk to the Confluence and the Museum entry but there is some exotic architechture in this new area and it was along the river so we took some photos as we went.
Unfortunately there was a half hour queue standing in the cold to just get into the building because it is school holidays. If it had not been so highly recommended I think Bob would have walked away. Once inside we found the shorter credit card queue for tickets and headed for the display rooms. The building itself is a bit like the Sydney Opera House in that it is a lot of building for a relatively small purpose dedicated space. Never the less it is architecturally interesting. The display rooms are dedicated to displaying the evolution of Earth's life forms and cultures. This has been achieved by thoughtful selection of facets rather than the whole overwhelming story. There was quite a representation of Australian animals including a Tasmanian Tiger and lots of Aboriginal Art detailing dreamtime stories. We spent an hour and a half taking it in and then squeezed ourselves into a small space in the cafe to have baguettes for a late lunch. Afterwards we went up to make use of the outside viewing platforms because the SUN was shining. From there we took the steps and walkway down through the building and decided not to visit the temporary exhibition. We took our first tram ride back to the area around the Gallery Lafayette shopping complex and scoped out the nearby train station that we leave from on Saturday. It was a short walk home from there and time for a rest.
In the evening we walked the streets around our apartment searching for a restaurant that was not Asian. French restaurants are all closed for the season or seem to only operate for the traditional hot midday meal. We have been told by our guides that the French are work shy and it is only immigrants who really put in the hours. We have decided to take the bus into the central square in future where there is a concentration of restaurants which stay open for tourists. Our walking guide pointed out a side street where the meals are not over the top expensive. We did eventually find a Bar/ Brasserie near the Station and had an edible meal.
Monday, 29 October 2018
Photo Lyon
Frabce: Lyon Sun 28 and Mon 29/10
We have just had two moving days. Physical not emotional. Yesterday we had docked back in Lyon which was the end of the journey. We were required to vacate our "staterooms" by 8-30am but we did not have to vacate the ship until after lunch. The crew were busy preparing for the new passengers so along with the other laggards we went up to the lounge and emailed, read and chatted to other like bodies. The day was cold but the rain held off until just about when we were leaving the ship. Google has just told me that at 9 degrees C maximum today is four degrees warmer than yesterday. We were pleased to have a taxi ordered to tranfer us to the hotel we had booked for one night. This was a necessary decision we had made because the Air B&B we wanted wasn't available until this morning. The hotel Lyon Oeste (West) was further up the Saone than we realised so it was a good thing we weren't trying to go by public transport. The area has been an industrial area which has been revamped and is now quite trendy. The hotel is only six years old and still looks new. It was very comfortable and even had tea and coffee making facilities. We went for a walk after settling in and found the train/bus station and purchased public transport tickets. We scoped out a restaurant for dinner and found a square with a beautiful display of maple trees all with Autumn colours. I didn't have my camera and intended to go back this morning.
Unfortunately in was raining heavily this morning but we had to find a bank to withdraw cash and had a light breakfast at a boulangerie. By the time we arrived back our feet were soaked but the hotel had a heated towel rack which dried tights and socks quite quickly. We opted for a taxi to transfer to our B&B and arrived without any difficulty. We are here for 5 nights and the weather is supposed to ease tomorrow and be warmer from Wednesday onwards. We are a short bus ride from a major shopping area and the end of the route is in the Old Town if we want to go back there. We explored an undercover market which had the most amazing and expensive food imaginable. We enjoyed looking and then went down the road to have bagettes and panini's.
Our new apartment is on three levels though we won't use the second bedroom on the top floor. Bob has already hit his head twice coming down the spiral staircase and once on a projecting shelf. He has just returned from buying milk and other supplies and is about to make a cuppa.
I only took one photo this morning but will post it anyway. Till tomorrow.
Unfortunately in was raining heavily this morning but we had to find a bank to withdraw cash and had a light breakfast at a boulangerie. By the time we arrived back our feet were soaked but the hotel had a heated towel rack which dried tights and socks quite quickly. We opted for a taxi to transfer to our B&B and arrived without any difficulty. We are here for 5 nights and the weather is supposed to ease tomorrow and be warmer from Wednesday onwards. We are a short bus ride from a major shopping area and the end of the route is in the Old Town if we want to go back there. We explored an undercover market which had the most amazing and expensive food imaginable. We enjoyed looking and then went down the road to have bagettes and panini's.
Our new apartment is on three levels though we won't use the second bedroom on the top floor. Bob has already hit his head twice coming down the spiral staircase and once on a projecting shelf. He has just returned from buying milk and other supplies and is about to make a cuppa.
I only took one photo this morning but will post it anyway. Till tomorrow.
Sunday, 28 October 2018
Photos from Beaume
France: Beaune 27/10
We had traveled upriver on the Saone to Macon overnight. This town was merely an access point for the excursion as it seemed to be fairly industrial. It used to be noted as the European base of Kodak but the plant closed in 2009. The day started with a coach ride for an hour and a half into the vineyards of Burgundy. Beaune is the capital for this wine area. It is a really pretty town and our guide Sophie who spoke excellent slightly accented English took us on a short orientation tour. We then had two hours free to spend in the town centre where there was a Saturday producers market and to buy our own lunch.
Fortunately Bob and I found a Boulangerie which had indoor seating as the day was very cold. The tights, new warm jumper, jacket and gloves in my collection came into use. Bob had a jumper and jacket on but wished he had worn both his jumpers as he felt cold all day.
After lunch we visited the Hotel Dieu, a hospice which was built in 1453 by a rich man in his 60's to provide care for the poor. The theory is that he was trying to ensure admission to heaven when he died. It is known that he and his wife were genuinely committed to the project and introduced some very innovative strategies. His wife was only in her 20's when she married this much older man because she was wife number three.
I was very disappointed as we walked into the Hotel because it was built of pale stone with a slate roof and very austere profile. I had seen photos of a marvellous verandahed brightly tiled building and thought my expectations had been misguided. However as I queried our guide and we walked through the administration area I was delighted to find the colourful building behind. This was a deliberate decision by the creaters to provide an inviting and bright environment for their patients. In those days you only went to hospital when all else failed and you expected to die. The interior was similarly draped with red curtains and the ceiling beams were dectorated to give the patients a bright environment. Small gargoyIes of local notables and a companion animal for each were mounted around the ceiling to entertain the patients as they reclined in their beds. I said there were innovative ideas and some were that all linens were burnt three times per year to dispose of disease. There were comode chairs behind screens where the waste dropped into flowing water under the floor to be carried away. This had to be discontinued when after some considerable years it was realised that this kept the hospice cleaner but spread disease down stream. The nuns did all the work including the cooking and cleaning and they eventually had their own dispensary. There were 31 beds but 62 patients. Yes , two to a bed, positioned sitting up facing the alter so they could participate in the mass. Men and women were in the same ward until about 100 years later when a new ward was created. There were a few private rooms for paying patients. 25 nuns at any one time cared for the patients and when the powers that be in the Order wanted to rotate the nuns steps were taken to prevent this. The owners believed that they needed continuity to ensure that their care methods could be maintained. They appealed to Rome and in an unprecedented move the Hospice had it's own Order of nuns created. This was only discontinued when the hospice (by then a hospital) was closed in the 1990's and restored as a museum. When the husband died his wife became a nun and worked in the hospice for the rest of her life. She lived to be 64. The Hotel was endowed with it's own Burgundy vineyards which still support the Hotel Museum but also three new hospitals and other good works.
We were back at the ship by 4pm and contrived another load of laundry. It was very social down there as others did the same. Dinner was the usual excellent standard and we has a lively conversation with a couple from Yorkshire about favourite authors. Early departure from our cabin on Sunday but we can stay on board for lunch before taking a taxi to our hotel.
Fortunately Bob and I found a Boulangerie which had indoor seating as the day was very cold. The tights, new warm jumper, jacket and gloves in my collection came into use. Bob had a jumper and jacket on but wished he had worn both his jumpers as he felt cold all day.
After lunch we visited the Hotel Dieu, a hospice which was built in 1453 by a rich man in his 60's to provide care for the poor. The theory is that he was trying to ensure admission to heaven when he died. It is known that he and his wife were genuinely committed to the project and introduced some very innovative strategies. His wife was only in her 20's when she married this much older man because she was wife number three.
I was very disappointed as we walked into the Hotel because it was built of pale stone with a slate roof and very austere profile. I had seen photos of a marvellous verandahed brightly tiled building and thought my expectations had been misguided. However as I queried our guide and we walked through the administration area I was delighted to find the colourful building behind. This was a deliberate decision by the creaters to provide an inviting and bright environment for their patients. In those days you only went to hospital when all else failed and you expected to die. The interior was similarly draped with red curtains and the ceiling beams were dectorated to give the patients a bright environment. Small gargoyIes of local notables and a companion animal for each were mounted around the ceiling to entertain the patients as they reclined in their beds. I said there were innovative ideas and some were that all linens were burnt three times per year to dispose of disease. There were comode chairs behind screens where the waste dropped into flowing water under the floor to be carried away. This had to be discontinued when after some considerable years it was realised that this kept the hospice cleaner but spread disease down stream. The nuns did all the work including the cooking and cleaning and they eventually had their own dispensary. There were 31 beds but 62 patients. Yes , two to a bed, positioned sitting up facing the alter so they could participate in the mass. Men and women were in the same ward until about 100 years later when a new ward was created. There were a few private rooms for paying patients. 25 nuns at any one time cared for the patients and when the powers that be in the Order wanted to rotate the nuns steps were taken to prevent this. The owners believed that they needed continuity to ensure that their care methods could be maintained. They appealed to Rome and in an unprecedented move the Hospice had it's own Order of nuns created. This was only discontinued when the hospice (by then a hospital) was closed in the 1990's and restored as a museum. When the husband died his wife became a nun and worked in the hospice for the rest of her life. She lived to be 64. The Hotel was endowed with it's own Burgundy vineyards which still support the Hotel Museum but also three new hospitals and other good works.
We were back at the ship by 4pm and contrived another load of laundry. It was very social down there as others did the same. Dinner was the usual excellent standard and we has a lively conversation with a couple from Yorkshire about favourite authors. Early departure from our cabin on Sunday but we can stay on board for lunch before taking a taxi to our hotel.
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