Morning finally arrived and we were on the bus at 8am and on our way to Lyon. When we arrived we set off for the hotel with our backpacks on, but when it turned out to be a km or more Heather had to succumb and wheel hers for just the last bit. As we were checking in, Heather noticed the girls in front could speak French and were negotiating a private room, so she asked them to try for a double bed for us, success, fantastic, it was a tiny little room with a toilet down the hallway, but this was heaven.

We dumped our packs and headed straight out to explore, and found the funicular that took you up the hill to Roman ruins and a majestic church. We didn't have the right change so were trying to work out the French so we could buy our tickets on credit card. We were struggling a bit when an old man, who had been sitting nearby with his begging bowl, came over and tried to take the card. We were getting more than a bit concerned, and were resisting, when another well dressed man passing by said in heavily accented English that the beggar was only trying to help. We relented and in a few moments had our tickets, and embarrassingly coughed up a tip for our unlikely assistant. 

Up the top of the hill was fantastic. This was our first look at Roman ingenuity, the ancient city had running water and sewer. Also in evidence an amphitheater, with very ornate tiling, which I guess hosted political meetings but entertainment as well. The church also was worth seeing and the views out over the modern city were excellent.

We headed back down, and walked for ages around this lovely city, feeling very welcome and safe. We stopped at what to our mind looked like a very authentic French restaurant and decided it was well time for our evening meal. We were struggling with what we could order given none of it made any sense, and when the waiter came over we just took pot luck and pointed at a selection saying to each other it was better to not know what you were eating than not eat. The waiter in perfect English suggested perhaps it would be better if we ordered off an English menu?, excellent, how good is that!.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel, well fed, a nice red inside, a double bed...... then it was morning, amazing.

Breakfast at Macca's, usually a no no but it was right across the road, cheap, and you can point to what you want. Then on with the backpacks for the walk to the bus, and yes, Heather made the full distance. Back on the bus and off to Chamonix to drop off and pick up passengers. We had time to wander about a bit and Chamonix is very pretty, nestled into the French Alps with waterfalls, snow capped peaks and a glacier.

Next stop for a passenger exchange was Avignon, but we were staying on to Nice. Avignon is an interesting place steeped with history (well as is all of Europe). The original city is surrounded by high stone walls to keep those inside safe. Who would want such security, a bit early in the piece for rock stars or other high fliers?. Not at all, the walled city of Avignon was built by the pope, in the 13th century, a time of political persecution in Rome. The papal remained in Avignon until Rome provided the political security of their own governance at the Vatican.

Our stop in Nice this time was brief, as we are to come back, we had time to grab a beer or two but no sightseeing, tomorrow we are on the bus to Switzerland.

Footnote: The Historic Site Of Lyons is UNESCO World Heritage listed.