Final post...

Just got back from holidaying in Germany. It's quite late (or early) and my room is a semi-packed mess as I'm getting ready to leave Lyon on Tuesday. This will have to be my last post as I really don't think I'll have much time in the next few days!!!

Seeing Fred (my godfather) again was pretty cool. He lives just half an hour or so south of Lyon near Valence. It's a country town so there was a lot sleeping, reading, eating and general relaxing. Watched my second game of rugby in my life (Ireland-France, the irish won!). It was fun to watch because Fred's step-son plays in a local rugby team. He invited all his mates to watch the match and...well...boys will be boys, it was very funny.

Had a day in the snow, catching up with more family friends. Went skiing this time so I didn't spend all day on my bum on the baby slopes ;) There was so much snow that they were causing avalanches to clear some of the slopes!!! I've never seen an avalanche before, very impressive. So that's why you should be careful off piste!!!

Back at Lyon, have been ticking a few things off my "Must do in Lyon" list which consists mainly of museums and galleries.

Germany was great! Flew to Munich where I met up with Sandra, Yvi and Yunni. Had dinner and then trained down to Allgau to stay with Sandra, Peter and her parents for a few days. There was lots of snow...LOTS of snow. Sunday was gorgeous. We went tobogganing in Steibis (a ski station just round the corner from Sandra). SOOOOO much fun, I'd only done it once before (where I took a wrong turn and got very lost in some village...this was 3 years ago). Also, had my gluhwein at the top of the mountain, always important! Caught up with Svenja too. We ended up watching movies because it snowed ALL day. There was already LOTS of snow...this was just getting ridiculous!

Decided to make my way to Berlin and discovered that a friend of mine I made at school on exchange is studying there so I was lucky enough to have a guide and a place to stay at the last minute!!! It was fantastic, cold and snowy. Apparently it rarely snows in Berlin, except for the three days I'm there, when it just doesn't stop. Jam packed few days...Reichstag building, Checkpoint Charlie, Stasi Museum (quite creepy) and so much more!!! We even managed to fit in a bit of Berlin clubbing AND the totally insane BLUE MAN GROUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsdTeCnnRO4 Trained back to Munich today, stretched my legs around Marienplatz and eventually made it back here. I'm pretty tired but I'm not yet going to stop!!!

A bit more visiting Lyon, catching up with people before I leave and packing (a very scary thought, 20 kilos is not looking good!)

I think that is all!!!

It's been a crazy 6 months or so! Many good memories. I'm definately going to miss the cheese and the wine :( Looking forward to seeing you all when I get back!

Bis bald!

Love from Alex xoxo