Living in Nyon is taking a short winter break and will be back at the end of January. In the interim if you would like to know what events are happening this month around the area, the best place to check in the first instance is Nyon Region Tourism Office (link here) . Alternatively check the "agenda ", the monthly page published by the tourist office, this is also published weekly in La Côte newspaper. You can also check out "Know It all Passport", and the "In Any event" site (both links on bottom of this site) for more information. Anglo Info, Geneva Lunch, and Glocals are three other good resources of news and information. Photos in banner and in post are of the cosy "Bains de 3 jetées "café ( this is to be found by the lake side with the sauna next to it and is open from November to April ) Link here

Whether you are Father Christmas or simply a normal passenger, from the 11th December if you board a train without a valid train ticket you will be fined 90 CHF in addition to the price of the ticket itself. This will apply to both long distance and regional trains. See the CFF website to find out more about this new ruling and the reason why (explanation in English). On the 11th December the train timetable will also change so keep an eye out for possible new timings for your regular commute. Don't forget you can always buy a train ticket in advance via a mobile phone see the options here and most stations have electronic ticketing machines with the option of following the instructions in English to purchase tickets. CFF have a comprehensive site listing the different options available for "abonnements" (travel cards) whether you are regular commuter for work or leisure.

Tuesday 20th and Friday 23rd December are the two dates this year when it's the "Nocturnes à Nyon" (late night shopping). The shops will be open in the town until 22:00 to get those last minute Christmas presents. Meanwhile over at the Signy shopping centre on Saturday 17th December, between 10:30 and 17:00 and Wednesday the 21st between 14:00 -18:00, "Father Christmas" will be on hand for those children who want to have a photo taken with the man himself. Two lakeside events this weekend plus other events. Saturday market in Nyon - Living in Nyon will be at the market on the 17th December with a stall selling the book "Living along Lac Léman" (please note there will be no stall in bad weather). The book is also available for purchase in Nyon in the "The Reading Duck" , Catambo, Payot Nyon, Payot Geneva, see here for all retail outlets. Also Saturday in Place St Martin in Nyon from 13:30 to 18:30 "Un million d'étoiles". L'Association Asolac and Caritas Vaud will be lighting hundred of candles in the square. Each candle bought by a member of the public will go towards the charity. La Côte column. The Living in Nyon column in English (that appears in in La Côte newspaper each Friday) is today entitled "Talking Turkey" . This is the last column of 2011 and the next one will appear on January 13th 2012. Note: La Côte recently launched an "app" facility enabling subscribers to access local news and information from their phone. See site for more details. Saturday 17th it's the "Bains des Lumières" down by the lake. Soup and vin chaud will be served from 18:00 to 21:00 at the Plage de Trois Jetées. There will also be a light display by Sophie Gayot. Free entry to the sauna at this event. See the site for details Note: If bad weather on the night the event will be cancelled. On Sunday 18th it's the last Puces de Nyon (flea market) of the year also by the lakeside. An ideal opportunity to pick up an unusual Christmas gift from one of the stalls. Sunday 17:30 Carol Concert (in French) at the Eglise de la Colombiére in Nyon Noël en Choeur. Free entry Church Service in English at La Côte Anglican Church in Gingins. Also on Sunday there will be an all age Holy Communion with Christingles followed by festive refreshments - mulled wine and mince pies - at the "stand de tir" further up the road. "Les Hivernales" the winter rock festival which takes place in several venues across Nyon in February revealed its line up this week. With a mixture of bands from around Switzerland such as Portobello, The Bianca Story, The Mondrians and bands and singers from the U.S.A such as Grouplove and Nadéah from Australia, the festival will take place from the 9th -12th February. Tickets go on sale from the 21st December. See Les Hivernales for more details and ticket prices. More info on this festival coming up on this site. See the video teaser below for an exerpt of the music and bands coming to the festival.

Due to a poor weather forecast, please note there will be no Living in Nyon stall at the Nyon Saturday market on the 3rd December. If you would like to purchase a copy of Living along Lac Léman see here for all retail outlets.

Every two years the Geneva Writers' Group hosts a writers' conference at Webster University in Bellevue (approximately nine miles from Nyon). In 2012 the 8th Geneva Writers' Conference will take place from February 3- 5 2 and will welcome over two hundred writers from around the world to a weekend of workshops, panels, readings and networking. This conference is led by well-known authors, editors, literary agents, and editors from the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA. The faculty Patricia Duncker, Brett Lott, Sheila Kohler, Dinty W. Moore, Jonathan Lorie, Susan Tiberghien, Naomi Shihab Nye, Wallis Wilde Menozzi and Steven Atkinson are all widely published writers and experienced teachers committed to sharing their knowledge and perspectives on writing as both an art and a profession. The programmeopens on Friday, February 3 with a welcome dinner and readings. Saturday and Sunday will include workshops in fiction, nonfiction, playwriting and poetry, as well as panel discussions on the business of writing. Literary agents (Sam Copeland from the agency Rogers Coleridge and White (See their list of published authors here) and Miriam Goderich from Dystel and Goderich, Literary Management, editors and publishers (David Applefield, Colin Harrison) will offer their professional advice. Above tutors and editors at the 2010 conference. From left to right: Jane Dystel, David Applefield, Lorella Belli and Robert Stewart Organised by the Geneva Writers’ Group, the Conference is non-profit and made possible through registration fees and the generous support of sponsors. Registration is now open for this conference. Book early as places fill up fast! See the full programme here To find out more about the Writers Group see their site here

An eclectic mix of events and information for readers from Tennessee Williams to Expat Clubs, to Health Courses in English! Firstly, the Glass Menagerie by Tennesse Williams will be performed by GEDs ( Geneva English Drama Society) from the 13- 17 March 2012 at the Théâtre du Centre de l'Espérance in Geneva. This play is billed as "a deeply American play which demonstrates that hope and love are understanding as well as tragic". This play was Tennesse's William's first successful play before he went on to become one of America's most highly regarded playwrights and has not been played in Geneva in English for nearly 30 years. Full details on the GEDS website. Click here. Expat business, voluntary and professional associations in Switzerland The Connectors, the weekly programme "by expats for everyone "on World Radio Switzerland has recently started to feature professional and voluntary expat clubs, associations and groups across Switzerland. Members and representatives of these clubs are interviewed on the show and on Thursday the 23rd February, the American International Club of Geneva was featured. Click here to listen to the interview. You can hear what the club does, the activities it organises throughout the year, and hear all about the speakers past and present who have been invited to speak at an AIC event. One such event coming up is a luncheon on the 8th March in Geneva featuring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His talk will be " R20 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's contribution to the low carbon energy model shift". For full details of this event and how you can attend Click here. Note: the American International Club has a membership of approximately 30% American and 70% other nationalities from all over the world ie: you don't have to be American to join! Would you like your club or association to be featured on World Radio Switzerland? If so, email theconnectors@worldradio.ch for more information. Health Courses in English in Nyon - First Aid for Child Injuries HealthFirst is running this course on two different dates in Nyon, 1st March and 13th March 2012 from 18:30-22:00. The course is packed with practical advice, hands on training, lively discussions and lots of information. Along with other topics, you can expect to: Learn how to deal with burns, scalds and electrocution Understand the importance of head injuries and what to do Practice how to deal with major bleeding, cuts, bites, broken bones and sprains Get advice on what you should have in your first aid kit and how to use it The cost is 100 CHF per person and this includes a comprehensive course booklet. Second hand English Books in Nyon . There is a stall selling second hand books in different languages (including English) in the La Combe shopping centre today Friday 24 and Saturday 25 The stall is run by volunteers of Nyon hospital. Sunday Flea Market Flea market this Sunday the 26th February "Les Puces de Nyon" - The monthly flea market will take place down by the lake side in Nyon.

There are three interesting events coming up in the Nyon area this week, from a film set in Finland showing tonight, to a Jazz and Carol concert on Saturday to the Nyon Christmas Market on Sunday. Firstly tonight, Monday night 5th at the Capitole Cinema in Nyon there will be a screening at 20.15 of the film "Steam of Life" This film won the prize of the Interreligious Jury at the Visions du Réel Documentary festival 2010. Steam of Life by Joonas Berghåll and Mika Hotakainen Synopsis provided by Visions du Reel: "Naked Finnish men in saunas speak straight from the heart around the warmth of old stoves and cleanse themselves both physically and mentally towards the film's deeply emotional and unforgettable finale. The film travels through Finland joining men of all walks of life in many different saunas to let us hear their touching stories about love, death, birth and friendship; about life. In all its simplicity the camera records the raw and rare beauty of landscapes, saunas and men in almost magical pictures. The presence of the characters and the depth of their emotion reaches a limit where it is almost intolerable for the viewer to watch. Steam of Life reveals the men's naked souls in an exceptionally intimate and poetic way". Smooth Jazz and Christmas Carols This Jazz and Carols evening is an alternative and relaxed Christmas event and take place this Saturday 10 December from 18:30 to 19:45 in the Temple de Nyon (rue du Temple). The evening is free, but please register by clicking on the link here Don’t delay – tickets are going fast! This concert is being hosted by La Côte Anglican Church, which has just celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Twenty-five years ago the first service in English was held in the village of Trélex and thereafter in the larger church at Gingins, to meet the needs of the growing English-speaking population in the Nyon area. The church community has grown dramatically from the few families who formed the initial congregation 25 years ago, but it retains its informal and welcoming atmosphere and serves both the expatriate and local communities in many different ways. As well as services in English every Sunday at 16.00 in Gingins village church and twice a month in Divonne, there’s a Sunday Club (for children and teens), crèche, home groups, pastoral care, social action, regular get-togethers for newcomers to the area, and fund-raising events such as the popular Quiz Night, Spring Fair and Christmas Market (Sat. 3 Dec. 11.00-15.00 at the Divonne Eglise Réformée parish centre). If you’d like to join their mailing list to find out more information – especially at this time of year to find out more about our Christmas services Pplease contact the Chaplain, Carolyn Cooke, at carolyn.cooke@lacotechurch.ch Tel: 022-364- 0030, or Assistant Chaplain, Julia Chambeyron, at julia.chambeyron@orange.fr Tel. 0033- 450.20.1937. You can also find more information on their website:Nyon Christmas Market It's the Christmas market in Nyon on Sunday 11th December down by the Rive from 08:00: 18:30. Lots of artisanal stalls and gifts for Christmas, Living in Nyon will be there with a stall selling the "Living along Lac Léman" book. Why not come along and say "Hello"!

The BSCC Business Awards ceremony is due to take place on Wednesday 30th November at the Beau Rivage hotel in Geneva. Living in Nyon is a finalist in the awards. A film crew came to Nyon to film the editor and to find out more about this site and the town itself. Check out the video below!

From filet de perche and Saucisson Vaudois, to cheese Malakoffs, these are just some of the many local culinary delights that expatriates discover when they move to Vaud. Yet from time to time, expatriates also like a taste of food from their own countries, and for this there are local retail options around to source products from "home". Firstly, there is My Expat Shop com. This successful online shopping site stocks and delivers products across the whole of Switzerland. From British favourites such as Terry's Chocolate Orange and Carnation Evaporated milk or Betty Crocker mixes for its American customers, the shop carries a comprehensive stock of products. Check out the many different categories of products on the site from the "Baby and Toddler" range to the "Expat Gourmet" range. My Expat shop also offers customers the option to buy their products at approximately eight different retail outlets across the canton (there is one in Crans près Celigny and in Tannay). You can find them all listed under the ABC section of the site. The Nyon outlet is the Marché de l'Etraz . This is a small supermarket on the Route de l'Etraz in Nyon (near the Edward Life Sciences building heading towards Prangins) see map here. This shop has an area specifically dedicated to exapt products. Should you want a product that you don't see on the shelves, you can order it from the catalogue, just point to the photo in the catalogue if your French isn't quite up to scratch ! The shop is owned by by Mr Kadri Mustafe, and run by the very friendly Madame Vezire Moustafa helped along by her son Lulzim and assistant Madame Mary Luce-Fimon (in photo below). This shop is open from 08:30 until 20:30 Monday to Saturday and 08:30 to 13:30 on Sunday morning, which is very useful to know! Listen to the interview here that the Living in Nyon editor made with Kristine from My Expat Shop on World Radio Switzerland in January 2012. On it you can hear what the most popular expat food products are requested by customers across Switzerland. You can also hear what the expats round the table like about local food! The American Market in Nyon (there is also a Geneva branch) has been in the centre of the town for around seven years. Along with selling food and products geared to the U.S and Canadian market, it also stocks food and drink for the local Latin American population who miss a taste of "home" including Inca Cola, Mate, Dulce de Leche, Alfajores, Mexican and Tex Mex food. The shop also carries a small stock of British produce. New to the scene but certainly not new to selling produce to British expatriates, is Jim's British Market which opened last month on the Avenue de Mont Blanc in Gland just a few miles along from Nyon. Already a well established name over the border in St Genis-Pouilly, "Jims" has been operating for 15 years in France and in addition to the shop, he has also been serving fish and chips and scones in its tea toom. Check out their website on the story of "Jims" and for full details and opening hours of both shops. Links My Expat Shop Jims British MarketAmerican Market The American Market

Photo above: the temperature in Nyon on Thurday morning. Do the freezing conditions in the Nyon area right now make you want to simply stay inside and curl up with a good book? If so, there are various local places where you can find English books both in local shops and in libraries. Nyon library has a small selection of English books on the top floor of its building and it also has selection of music with both rock pop and classical CDs to rent. These are to be found in the reading room on the ground floor where there are also a good variety of journals, newspapers and other publications that can be read on the premises. Nyon library is in a lovely old building directly opposite the Place Perdtemps car park and it is open on Saturdays mornings. However this Saturday the 4th February it is "Le Samedi des bibliothèques Vaudoises" with events going on throughout the day. See previous post here about the library. The village of Crans près Céligny also has an English section in its library for its readers, see previous post on this library here. If you prefer to to buy your books, then Payot in la Combe shopping centre in Nyon has a good selection of English fiction and non fiction books. The "Reading Duck" in Grand Rue in Nyon also stocks a small collection of English childrens' books and a large selection in French. Both shops stock the Living along Lac Léman book too! A Site for Fondue Lovers which lists some of the Best places for a Fondue in the area If you are on the hunt for a good fondue, did you know that the Fondue of the Month Club has a website that highlights "the best (and some of the less than best) fondues that are available in Geneva and the Canton of Vaud"? The site says "We don't pretend to be gastronomic experts but we do know what we like. Browse through the more than 10 years of reviews and you'll see we have plenty of experience to share". There is a detailed chart on their site of many fondue venues. The chat rates each place for ambiance, and for the fondue, flavour, texture, digestibility! There is even a blog post from last July of "Worst Fondues" and "Top Fondues". It makes fascinating reading and is a real gem of a resource. If you also know of a good fondue spot that is not on their list, the club invites you to help them out by adding your own comments and taste test results.

Photo above: Deckchairs on the terrace of the "Balise", the weekend café, part of the Bains de Trois Jetées association. News: The café is now licenced to sell beer and wine! It's a great place to have a drink overlooking the lake. The association is also looking for volunteers to help serve and run this winter café (last day 22nd April). Open Days at two local schools Oak Hill school in Nyon will be holding an Open Morning on Tuesday 13th March from 10.00 until 11.00. Oak Hill is a local school which offers a half-day programme designed for students with learning differences such as dyslexia and/or A.D.D. (ADHD). There wil be a demonstration reading lesson. Everyone welcome. Full details see Oak Hill See previous article on this school here. Lake Léman International School in Morges is also holding an Open Day on Saturday 10 March from 11:00 to 15:00 .The LLIS School starts with Kindergarten (from 3 years old) to Primary School (11 years 0ld) at its premises at Morges-Gottaz. The Secondary school will open from the school year 2012/13. See previous post here about this school. Full Moon Event Saturday A "full moon" fondue event will be held this Saturday down by the lake organised by the "Bains des 3 Jetees" Association. This event has now become an annual tradition. The sauna is free for this evening only and will open at 18:00, the fondue begins at 19:00 Cost 19 CHF . Note: you must reserve your place for a fondue in advance by emailing info@bains3jetees.chSee site for full details Music this weekend from Classical to DJ sets Sunday 11th March (also by the lakeside) at the Villa Thomas the Chamber Choir Zeugma under the direction of Philippe Savoy with Florence Desbiolles-Binz and Juan David Molano at the piano. This choir of twelve professional singers will perfom a programme of romantic music (Schumann, Brahms et Huber) and modern music in the Salle Cortot in the Villa Thomas. The Villa Thomas is on the Route de Geneve and in a lovely lake side setting. Entry 20chf AVS and students 15 CHF Reservations TEL. 022 994 23 60, info.nyon@cov-vd.ch Click for site here Usine a Gaz music on Friday 9th March - Yves Jamait (French solo singer), Saturday 10th - Meian (electronic music group) followed by DJ set The Alkalines playing until 04:00 in the morning. See Usine a Gaz for more info.

Photo above, the "Rue des Belles Filles"- The Street of Beautiful girls" (who wouldn't want to live here?) from the article "Being Streetwise in Switzerland" from "Living along Lac Léman". Diccon Bewes, the author of "Swiss Watching" ( Best Book of 2010 -Financial Times) and travel writer (Lonely Planet and Holiday Which) has just reviewed "Living along Lac Léman" , the Living in Nyon book. He says; "The book contains a varied selection of Catherine’s columns from La Côté newspaper over the past three years, so it makes for perfect dip-in-and-out reading. Short pieces about life along the lakeshore, fitting in as an expat, Swiss foibles and learning French. And that’s what I loved most about it. There’s such a mix of subjects, you don’t have to know the area that well to enjoy it. For sure, some of the articles have a distinctly local flavour – not just the Paléo festival in Nyon but street names in Geneva or tourist howlers in Morges – but most are about something anyone in Switzerland can relate to: eating fondue, getting to know your neighbours, talking about the weather and kissing friends hello. All crucial subjects for every expat who has been here more than a few weeks." Photo above from article in book: "Don't worry be happy" - "Pas de Souci" He also goes on to say; "Adding more than a touch of depth are Catherine’s photos alongside each text. They cover, of course, the gorgeous views and festival revellers but also more mundane things like fresh bread, football crowds and spring flowers. Not every book has the luxury of great colour photos, as I know all too well, but this one makes the most of that by using them to add some real local colour to the already engaging text. Of such things, I can but dream". You can read the full review here and find out more about Diccon and his book here. If you would like to purchase a copy of "Living along Lac Léman" just click here to order and to see the list of local retail outlets. Here's another review by Know it all Passport Other news, the BSCC Business Awards ceremony took place last night at the Beau Rivage in Geneva. Living in Nyon was one of the finalists in these awards and although the site didn't take home the top prize at the end of the evening, the editor was delighted to be nominated in the first place and recognised for "their contributions to business success in Britain and Switzerland". In the words of Michael Mckay BSCC Chairman-Geneva Chapter, "all the finalists were winners to get to the stage of being selected". You can see the full list of winners here.