Winter has arrived with a vengeance, temperatures in Lyon are reaching the heady heights of zero degrees Celsius at the moment. Rather chilly in Hungary too I imagine, where la salariée is currently on her latest work jaunt. It involved getting up at 5.15am on Monday morning (for me too, as I gallantly offered to walk her to the station) in order to catch a TGV just after six to CDG airport, thence a connection to Budapest, followed by a four or five hour car journey to Lake Balaton. The early start meant she forewent a trip to Gerland on Sunday evening. Instead I was accompanied by un voisin for the latest échec of a poor season for the former 7 time French champions. It was the team who usurped OL's throne, Bordeaux, who delivered the latest defeat, 1-0, which means les gones haven't won a home league match since late Septembre. The fans are not amused, and not happy with the coach. Loud chants of "Puel, démission!" could be heard at the end of the match. Otherwise it was a good weekend, football and otherwise. A happier trip to the pub earlier in the evening was preceded by a visit to the Christmas market on Saturday, even if the Christmas shopping was less than successful.
Elsewhere on Sunday, an event that has shocked Lyon was taking place. An innocent 12 year bystander was shot dead during a drive-by shooting in what is thought to be the escalation of a fight between gangs of youths from different 'quartiers sensibles' on the eastern outskirts of Lyon. After an earlier pitched battle involving mere base-ball bats, hammers and stones, apparently some of the antagonists returned in a car, armed with a rifle and semi-automatic pistol. At least 14 bullets were recovered by police. Sounds like a minor miracle only one other person, a 17 year old youth, apparently also uninvolved, was hit.
Meanwhile, France as a whole anxiously hangs on every bit of news relating to the health of Johnny. Every news bulletin since last week has led with a report on the latest news from the hospital in Los Angeles where France's living Elvis is being treated. Sigh of relief that he is now out of the artificially induced coma. Maybe we'll get some other news on the telly at last...
