Day 2039 (Friday) 30th October

Last night we went to Le Phare and a lot of people had the same idea and there was quite a crowd. The French guys were there and they were on form as were our lot.

I called this photo ‘the last supper’

 

As people were going home for dinner we wished each other a merry Christmas in case we don’t see them before then. I know we will see them but I did feel rather sad when we left. We have started thinking of ways to meet over the next four weeks.

The sunrise this morning was beautiful again  and Villefranche looked great in the sunshine 

My train was on time and I was quite early so I went for a gentle stroll

There were no classrooms available so I worked with Camille in a conference room on the 8th floor

 

And this was the view

When I finished with Camille I had a big gap again so I went for a walk up to Place d’Armes and ate my sandwiches in the sun.

It’s so bizarre that France is in lockdown and Monaco is going about its own business as usual

I know these flowers are gorgeous but 60€?

On the way back to school I found a rather lovely park. I’m so pleased I’m finding beauty spots amongst the concrete jungle.

Huw found this article today…

Traffic around Paris hit record levels just hours before a new national lockdown came into force across France.

Jams stretched to a cumulative 430 miles (700 km) in the Ile-de-France region early on Thursday evening, local media reported.

Lockdown measures came into force at midnight on Friday (23:00 GMT) to tackle spiralling Covid infections.

People have been ordered to stay at home except for essential work or medical reasons.

President Emmanuel Macron said the country risked being "overwhelmed by a second wave that no doubt will be harder than the first".

Daily Covid-19 deaths in France are at the highest level since April, and on Thursday, authorities reported 47,637 new cases and 250 new deaths.

French media report that many Parisians have left the city - and their often cramped apartments - to spend lockdown in the countryside.

France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex and his ministers confirmed on Thursday evening that teleworking would be the rule for employees who can. They also announced that a simple "sworn statement" would be required for people returning from holiday this weekend.

People are to stay at home as much as possible under the new lockdown. Travel will be limited, with a certificate, only to go to work, to go to a medical appointment, to assist a loved one, to do your shopping or to accompany your children to school with nurseries, schools, colleges and high schools remaining open. Universities and higher education institutions will provide online courses.

Individual and outdoor activities, such as jogging is allowed with parks, gardens forest areas and beaches remaining open to the public, but team sports are not allowed.  

Places of worship remain open with funerals and weddings possible in small groups. Public services will remain accessible such as the Post Office and banks. DIY shops are to remain open along with opticians.

Demonstrations remain authorised on the condition that they are declared to the prefecture and closed shops and restaurants will be able to deliver or offer a takeaway service.

So here we go again!

Huw has started doing the Andy and Chadwick photos again and this is day one of lockdown number 2. It’s Groundhog Day for Andy and Chadwick as their new lockdown tour begins in Gobbler’s Knob Pennsylvania, visiting another big rat and a beardy bloke.