18/07/2009
(Saturday) A broken sleep last night because of the revelling that went on till the early hours. I think because of the way the buildings and streets reflect the noise from the street, it echoes around and seems much louder (and closer) than it is, and while the windows keep a bit of it out, you can still here some of it. Anyway, went for a walk across the Rhone to check out the bridges before meeting up with Ash & Pippa. We then picked up some food at the market before having a great walk through the old town on the other side of the Saone (river) visiting the Cathedral of St. Jean with its astronomical clock playing a tune on its bells at 2:00 while we were there, and also ducked into the treasury with its tapestries, liturgical vestments and religous gold & sliver ware.
Walking the old cobble streets we came across a small shop where a guy was using an old weaving loom to make velour and the method and tools he was using were dated from the Renaissance. Cool, great to see the old traditional methods still being used. Then we climbed (a long way) up to the Roman amphitheatre (amazing, with people setting up for a concert) and had a picnic of cheese, olives & baguette before heading on to the Notre Dame de Vourviere with it’s elaborate ceiling domes and mosaics pictures on the walls (more amazing, and so ornate inside it’s just about over the top – but marvelous anyway…). Outside there were great views across the two rivers and the city. Walked back down via a VERY long flight of stairs (600 steps maybe?). Our legs were quivering before we go to the bottom!
We then some some time deciding what to do tomorrow – maybe try and find a market. So, went online and looked for the local second hand markets. Found one, and worked out how to get there by metro & bus. Pippa & Ash had to work so we went home via the MonoPrix and found some nachos, cheese & sauce for a quick meal before crashing into bed once again – we have not had any problems with sleeping even though the quality of beds has varied – we’ve just been too tired to care/notice.
