today we went to france! … which sounds like a bit of a big deal, but really all it took was a twenty minute ferry ride across the lake. we rode the ferry to a small medieval village called yvoire, which sits right on the lake, but on the french side. its famous because the village looks pretty much the way it did in the 17th century, albeit with more tourists and all the trappings that go along with it. its still an absolutely gorgeous place though!
as is usually the case, nayou packed his bag to take with him. this dude is a real packrat – every time we go somewhere he spends ages stuffing his backpack with all kinds of things. cars, twigs, leaves, books, it all has to come along! pity he forgot to change out of his pjs 
we left from nyon, which is the next village up the lake from where we are. we come to nyon quite a bit to play at the park, see friends and hang out at their amazing market. nayou has been jonesing a ride on the ferry ever since we got here so he was very exicted.
once we got to yvoire we couldn’t stop ooh-ing and aah-ing at everything. you realise where disneyland got their inspiration from when they were making their attractions – its almost too perfect!
of course since we were in france we had to have a baguette with cheese and pickles. or rather, nayou had a baguette with cheese and pickles, and his parents scrounged for the crumbs.
aaaand, here are some other random photos from the last couple of days.
here is an example of something positive that facebook has done for me – this photo is of me and olivier. we used to play together when we were living in geneva waaay back in the day. i was about four years old! he found out we were in geneva on facebook and got in touch. that resulted in the whole family coming over for dinner on sunday for a very happy reunion! we’re pretty much the same, just hairier.
What a picturesque place is Ivoire…and so close to you! Disney does not even come close to all that beauty. Also, Allison’s and Yorio’s garden is like a sanctuary — I bet you can close your eyes and hear all kinds of birds singing, bees buzzing, crickets shirping, etc. What a great place it must be for total relaxation and enjoyment of the best things a garden has to offer. And Nayo is growing so fast — it’s good seeing pictures of him without his “chupon.” Thanks for all the wonderful photos and for the update.
dear Epita and Epito…how I wish you were both here with us. It is such a magical time and you here would be the cherry on the cake.
Nayou still speaks so fondly of you both and his happy memories of your home.
He is certainly a very lucky little person to have 4 such adoring grandparents isn’t he?
wow – imagine seeing you and Oliver reunited! Oliver looks like he grew up quite nicely… Taisuke you look like a Hobbit! I love the pics of Nayou – keep them coming my dear!!
You n Oliver were such good friends that even I remember him from our Geneva visits If he is the same oone then from memory maybe it would be good karma for him n Adam to meet up again n make peace …
WAHHHHH…
I had forgotten that little cock fight.
I will try and arrange a reunion!!!!
Watch this space!