Can't let the 3rd Thursday in November pass without mention of a firmly established tradition in the Lyon area. Wags say that there are three rivers flowing through the city - le Rhône, la Saône et le Beaujolais. The first barrels of Beajolais Nouveau are floated down the Saône on the Wednesday evening to make a much fêted arrival in Place Bellecour on the stroke of midnight. Have to admit we have yet to sample this 30 year-old tradition. Perhaps one year, but this time will have to make do with a bottle purchased in the supermarket...
There has been some concern that the event is losing its appeal, due mainly to a decrease in the amount exported this year. However, as the two main importers are Japan (by far the biggest - 11 million bottles) and the US, the strength of the Euro against the yen and dollar would seem to be the principal reason...
Meanwhile, les grèves in France continue. Despite hints that some sort of resolution might be in view, rail, electricity & gas workers, and Parisian transport workers are all into their 3rd day of strikes, and half the university campuses in the country are being blockaded as students continue their protest against new laws giving universities more autonomy.
