Visited Rod and Jane McGregor at their home in Coppet for dinner.
This was the first time that I had been to their Swiss home; it is really kind of reassuring that I have some pals just down the tracks!
Really enjoyable evening swapping stories of first impressions of living in Switzerland.
Having spent the week sitting in whilst SKY, the phone, WIFI and the washing machine were installed it was good to get out and socialise!
28th April

Had a real "Billy" weekend exploring. Saturday morning caught the boat from Ouchy to Evian les bain - yes, where the water comes from - it's just 20 minutes to France. On Sunday bought the Sunday Times and headed to Lutry and Cully. Two really beautiful villages on the lakeside along from Pully - real finds, will return!   more »

Carol has just returned to Paris after a short tay in Lausanne. We met up with ex-Dulwich neighbours Katy and Gary and their two children Jack and Grace. They were heading back to Doha enroute to Zurich after ski-ing. It was great seeing them. Jack has developed a real american twang to his accent. Grace poor thing was really unwell, record breaking projectile vomit outside Starbucks!   more »

Spent a long weekend in Paris from Friday 6th to Wednesday 12th.
Travelled by train from Lausanne to Paris for the first time, just under the four hours however really enjoyable journey. Arrived in Paris for lunch!
The Paris apartment is really comfortable and laying in bed looking out on Sacre Coeur is just brilliant!
Toddling off to the local cafe at Villiers for morning coffee is a great way to start the day, never more so than on Sundays, when relaxing over the Sunday Times.
Watched United beat Arsenal 2 - 0 in Bugsy's - life just gets better and better.
And it does, as I joined the Paris Spoof on the Tuesday evening; it was great seeing Luc, Didier, Andy, Brendan et al; having a few beers in the full knowledge that I didn't have to get up for work the next day!!! - a gloat).
Carol, Kooky and I caught the midday train from Gare Lyon to Lausanne; the journey from the apartment to Gare Lyon could not be easier and demonstrates once again how well situated the apartment is.

13th April 2006

My last working day was way back on the 24th March, however my formal leaving date was April 5th,  with my leaving bash being 3 days in Monte Carlo.
I had a great time, riding Harley's (on the back of) around the racing circuit, whizzing around in Helicopters and belting along in speed boats, coupled with a special black tie dinner and the Casino of course, the spoof life of Bond was a brilliant send off and a great way to leave the company after over 20 years.
In between the 24th March and going off to Monte Carlo, I relocated to Lausanne, Switzerland.

My first Sunday in Lausanne (2/4/2006), was a brilliant sunny day, really welcoming! After buying the Sunday Times from the station I went off to explore St Francois, the town centre, only to discover that Starbucks was the only place open on Sundays. Lausanne literally does close down completely on Sundays! So after a large latte I headed back to the station, reviewed the departures board and picked Montreux as my destination. My first Sunday lunch as a resident in Switzerland would be the home of Freddie Mercury and the famous Jazz festival and it was only 20 minutes down the tracks.   more »