Not all election intrigue is happening over in the U.S.A right now. Forget John , Sarah, Barack or Joe , over here in Nyon, all eyes are on the result of the votes for Maurice , Daniel , and Jean. Current campaigning will come to a close soon and on Sunday the votes will be cast. Will it be a close call? Will the citizens choose the policies of the man with the beard, the man with the colourful shirts, or the man in the suit? Will there be have to be a second round? Who knows? Thankfully the results won't take too long to come through as voting comes to a stop at midday. Even though this particular Living in Nyon correspondent will be hundreds of miles away, she will try to get the results from the ballot boxes, and possibly some commentary up on this site as soon as she can. As a complete contrast to all things political, this Saturday the 27th it's the "Desalpes" up in St Cergue. This is when the cows are herded down from the mountain for the winter and paraded through the streets of the village. Decorated with flowers and ornaments, they look splendid and provide a perfect photo opportunity for the onlookers. There are lots of other activities that will be going at this the annual tradition and don't forget it's the Autumn fair down in the town too. For full details, see future events on the sidebar. Finally, a date for your diary. On Saturday 4th October at 18:30 the grounds of the Château of Prangins will be lit up by 60,000 candles at the Jardin des Lumieres event. The website has information in English. Volunteers will be rehearsing this weekend to make it a spectacular event, or as it says in the brochure, "un happening lumineux".The reason for the celebration is to mark the 10 years that the Château has been the Swiss National Museum. There are lots of other events going on through the afternoon and the village will be having a party too. Sounds like fun. Let's hope they have good weather. Please note, apart from the election results, there will be no updates on this site for approximately 8 days.

The full programme  for the Morges Literary Festival (Le livre sur les quais 2-4 September) has now been released revealing a varied  programme in both French and English . Established literary stars, new writers, essayists, poets and translators, authors of crime fiction and travel writing will give talks, readings and round table discussions The festival takes place right along Morges lakeside in various interesting venues around the town including cellars, tents bookshops and on boats! English debates on land and on the lake The full English programme can be found here. As an example on Sunday 4th September there will be a debate entitled Edward Snowden: Hero or Traitor? with Luke Harding and as this year the festival will also focus on Scandinavian writers, there will be a debate on the 3rd September entitled  Where Next for Nordic Crime?  with Nikolaj Frobenius, Anna Grue, Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg and Ingar Johnsrud Literary Cruise in English on Sunday 4th September There will also be a talk entitled The Art of Short Story  on a literary cruise on Sunday 4th September (boarding begins at 08:45  in Geneva or at 11.05 in Nyon) for the journey onto Morges - details here .  Helen Simpson and Petina Gappah will talk about the art of short stories. This cruise is organised by the Geneva Writers’ Group.

Next Living in Nyon event this Thursday evening A reminder to everyone that there will be another chance for readers to meet up on Thursday November 13th over at Bibliothee. Present on the evening will be the author of the " Know it All Passport" book Lisa Cirieco, and Bernadette Nelissen (the writer behind all the political insights and commentary on this site) Both will be on hand to answer questions. Everyone welcome, whether you are new to Nyon and area or have been here for years. Do pass the message on and invite friends and colleagues to come and join us for a glass of wine at any time between 18:30 and 20:30. If you have any more questions about the evening then email me on cnp@bluewin.ch How to find the tearoom. The Bibliothee website has full directions and a map. T he address is 1, chemin de Crève-Coeur (Ecole Club Migros), 1260 Nyon. It's below La Combe Shopping centre. Walk out of revolving doors at the entrance to the centre, turn right and walk past the sign saying "Bibliothèque de Jeunesse". Carry on further down to the Silhouette sign, here you will see the sign Migros Ecole and BIBLIOTHEE is next to it. Go in through revolving doors turn left past the Migros Ecole reception and voila! Don't forget that Bibliothee is also open throughout the day for coffee, panninis, soup, quiche. Its a non smoking venue and also has a stock of English speaking books available to borrow ! Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Nyon town centre was partially blocked for a short while today when farmers (driving tractors and other agricultural machinery) drove into town. Tractors were parked neatly along Rue Juste Olivier but two of the exit roads near the supermarket and the main entry to the town were blocked. The farmers then gathered in the centre near La Combe shopping centre to hand out leaflets and explain their cause to the public. As it stands, a farmer earns .55 centimes per litre of milk whereas the farmers say they need 1 chf to meet the cost of production. The current rate they are given by the milk purchasers (Migros and Co-op) means the farmers are running milk production at a loss and they need the fair price of 1 chf per litre to survive. The protest went peacefully and although some citizens were suprised to see a "cow" aloft in the street, many seemed sympathetic to their cause and purchased milk from their temporary milk stand.

Victor van Cleeff - Paléo Volunteer When the music lovers have all gone home, or over to the campsite to get some sleep, Paléo carries on right through the night. A festival this big needs to operate 24 hours to run smoothly, and to keep the fans and bands happy. Victor van Cleeff knows all about how Paléo ticks as he has been working as a volunteer at Paléo for the past ten years. This year he will be working on various shifts in the central co-ordination centre. Some of the shifts go through the middle of the night and into the early morning. In between this time he only goes home for a shower and a short sleep. When not volunteering he is listening to bands and meeting friends. "I love it" he says, "Not just for the music but because there is a such a special atmosphere amongst the volunteers, there are 4,000 of us, but each year that we meet up, we still get to see familiar faces." Every additional year that Victor volunteers, his job responsibilty increases. "In previous years I was the one that used to come to the co-ordination centre to ask the questions but now everyone will be coming to me for answers". "The other jobs I have been given have varied over the years, I started off in Security which involved wearing a yellow jacket and being stationed near the campsite. It wasn't too difficult at all as there were never really any problems, so I just chatted to people." Volunteers are allocated a badge according to the area they work in and Victor says; "One year my pass let me in certain areas backstage, so I do have good memories of sharing a few beers and chatting with members of my favourite band " Tryo ". His best memory of Paléo was probably in the third year that he went. "My friends and I had just finished full time education and we were all in party mood, there was a great line up that year with some great French bands performing, which made it perfect." Victor take three weeks away from his current day job (he works for a major insurance company), one week before, during, and after the festival to be a volunteer. Dedication indeed. If you want to be a volunteer yourself then you don't necessarily need to speak fluent French but as Victor says, you will feel a bit more at ease if you have a good understanding of the language. Applications are taken a few months after the current Paléo comes to an end. Along with the daily food allowance, there's free entrance and of course, lots of bonhomie and fun on offer.

Anyone who lives in or visits Nyon, knows that part of its attraction is not only its proximity to the lake, but also the character of the buildings, its old town and streets and of course, the chateau. However, not many people are aware that there is a society called   Pro Novioduno dedicated to preserving the heritage of the city. Membership is open to all, so check the site out. There is a list of activities that the society is involved in with latest news. Living in Nyon caught up with Georges Darrer, current president of Pro Novioduno who explained more about the society. "The name of the society derives from the Celtic name of the town, “new settlement”. The society was founded in 1922 with the purpose of ensuring that property owners and local authorities did not destroy or deface buildings of historical or architectural importance. Over the years Pro Novioduno has had numerous occasions to rise to the defence of the heritage. Alas, it has not been able to avoid some major mistakes, such as the destruction of a landmark building called the “Comète” in the Grand-Rue or the installation of both Manor  and later the “Grand Passage” (now “La Halle”) buildings, which have destroyed the harmony of the streets by introducing clashing styles. Nor have we been able to avoid the construction of a decidedly modern and somewhat tasteless building on the promenade du Jura. Part of the problem lies in the fact that in Switzerland, it is individual buildings that at classified and protected according to a scale of values ranging from 1 (to be preserved absolutely) to 7 (should be destroyed). There is no rule to protect a group of buildings or a whole street except for what each commune can set up as specific area plan (plan de quartier). After many years of failed communications, the society has been able to set up meaningful and open links with the City Planning services and the result of this new collaboration are very encouraging. For example, a study is ongoing to address the issue of grouped classification of streets or lots and we hope that the outcome will be a comprehensive plan to preserve the city centre. While the current situation is encouraging, challenges remain and will continue to be raised simply because of the growing demographic pressure as well as the desires of individual owners to improve, refresh or rebuild their properties. Thus our society needs to remain alert and active. The society has as only means its membership fees and the devotion of its committee members to carry out its tasks. To maintain interest in its activities, local visits to points of interest with access to the builders or architects involved are organised a couple of time a year as well as focused short trips to other cities to view historical or heritage monuments or understand urban planning developments elsewhere. The society has also tried to focus public attention on heritage in large scale operations. In 1958 it organised a big celebration for the 2000th anniversary of the foundation of the Roman colony ‘Colonia Equestris’. In 2003 it organised a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the creation of the canton of Vaud and in 2006 it coordinated the celebrations of the re-opening of the ‘Château’ after extensive restoration. We look forward to the opportunity of organising a celebration for the opening of the site of the Roman amphitheatre, date as yet uncertain! The society has a website: urba-nyon.ch in French but with an integrated Google translator The site features background information about history and planning issues and includes short articles and is open for comments and questions. A printed bulletin (in French) is also published twice a year for its members. The committee is composed of 10 members, some of which are consultative members. All the proceedings are in French, but some members speak English. Georges Darrer is Swiss with a multi-national background. He speaks fluent English and is particularly keen to help integrate local and foreign communities which he sees as a fertile ground for mutual understanding and appreciation.Membership is open to all and very welcome, as are candidates to participate actively in the society. "

Even though there was a bit of a chill in the air and mud on the ground, it didn't stop music lovers from heading off to Caribana last night. Boots and wellies were very much in evidence as were rainjackets (free rain ponchos were made available at the Caribana stand. Photo above  cnp - The crowd last night watching Texas. However the rain held off for most of the evening and Texas received a rapturous applause from the crowd when they appeared on stage.  Also in the crowd on Wednesday were fellow Scots " Kassidy" one of the bands who are due to play tonight. They told Living on Nyon they were amongst the crowd to "soak up the atmosphere" as they wanted to see a bit of the festival for themselves rather than be back stage. Last year they drove all the way from Scotland to Switzerland just to play a 20 minute set on the intimate Scène de la Plage stage. As an appreciation of their herculean efforts last year, Caribana has invited them back to play on the bigger Scène du Lac stage in 2011. They will be playing tonight and have promised a great "rocking" session. Photo above  cnp - Three members of Kassidy in the crowd On the main stage last night Texas lead singer Sharleen Spitieri worked her way though some old favourites "Once in lifetime" and others, and she also introduced a new song "Conversation" (the first time the song has been performed in public other than in her home town of Glasgow!) . Photo above - courtesy Caribana Tonight's line up includes Wolfmother, Interpol, Hurts, Kassidy and more. See programme for Thursday here

Wine and Welsh Cakes Evening! The next Living in Nyon Event will be a "Wine and Welsh Cakes" evening on Monday 1 st December in Nyon from 19:00 - 21:30 The event will be held in the atmospheric caveau (cellar) of Nyon’s lovely old chateau. All nationalities welcome, and whether you have lived here for years, or are new to the area, this event is an ideal opportunity to mingle and meet other Anglophones. Taste some savoury Welsh cakes cooked on the spot by local Welsh resident Sian Dureau.  More details of this event to follow, mark the date down in your diaries. Reservations required please by emailing Sian sdureau@sunrise.ch Entrance fee - CHF 15 per person or 25 CHF per couple includes 2 Welsh cakes and a glass of wine. More wine (and cakes!) will be available to purchase on the night Parking in Place Perdtemps car park nearby, Nyon railway station just a short walk away.

Talking Football in Gland   On Wednesday 11th June at 20:00 there will be a literary evening on the theme of "Football and Literature" to be held at the SB Sports shop in Gland.  The guest speaker will be former footballer Yves Débonnaire.  Mr Débonnaire was a player in the First Division of the Swiss Football League, he played for Vevey Sports and FC Sion and has been working for 16 years as a youth coach for the Swiss Football Association. He is also a consultant for RTS TV on many football related events and has co-authored a book called "Master of your Emotions" (on the football field and in life). Photo permission - La Page Cornée/ Copyright Sportsfile With just one day to go before the big kick off at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, this event should be interesting to all those interested in football and in literature. Mr Débonnaire will speak at the event, there will be a question and answer session and other football related books with be discussed such as John King's "The Football Factory" and the author Mario Vargas Losa's passion for football. The event will be in French and entry is free!  For full details - see La Page Cornée

Each summer the Château de Lavigny welcomes 25 writers from around the world for three week residencies. The château, once the home of the German publisher Heninrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt, was bequeathed by his wife to be used as an international writers' residence. The Château de Lavigny This summer novelists, essayists poets, playwrights and translators will come from 18 countries on four continents. The château hosts Sunday evening of readings for each session. They are open to the public and are followed by an aperitif on the terrace with the opportunity to meet the writers. This Sunday 4th July the writers who will be reading are  Joan Lennon (Canada), Natalia Bilotserkivets (Ukraine), Sandrine Fabbri (Suisse), Togara Muzanenhamo (Zimbabwe), Margherita Russotto (Italie), Mykola Ryabchuk,(Ukraine).  The event is from 18:00 to 20:00. If you wish to attend please notify chlavigny@hotmail.com or call 021 807 1931 See  Château de Lavigny Other dates for readings this summer are 25 July, 15 August and 5th September. Theatre over in Divonne on Saturday "Miss Jane Austen Invites"  - Miss Jane Austen and Miss Martha Lloyd will be at home and request the pleasure of your company: Sat. July 10th Salle Ausone, Esplanade du Lac, Divonne les Bains at 17:00 and 20:00 An original play devised and written by Susan Leather, Lesley Sherwood & Sue Humphreys. An amusing and  accurate insight into the life, times and works of Jane Austen. Tickets: 12 Euros or 20 CHF. Reservations or enquiries: Sue Humphreys tel: +33 450 20 12 32 Email: theatresomeone@hotmail.com

The 2012 poster for the Paléo music festival  was revealed yesterday. Designed by Aurélien Farina from the University of Applied Science -Art and Design in Geneva (HEAD, HES - SO), the design won the annual competition organised by the school and Paléo. This winning design which will set the overall look of the 37th Paléo edition and will be featured in various forms across the site on the billboards, posters and merchandise. Buy Paléo tickets early! Also, as in previous years around the Christmas period, Paléo is offering music lovers the chance to buy a pass for the week long festival which will take place between 17th to 22nd July 2012. 2,000 six day passes for the event will be on sale between the 1st and 16th December via the Paléo online site, and an unlimited amount of tickets will be on sale at the Paléo shop itself  from 10:00 to 18:30 Tuesday to Friday, between the same dates. These tickets make an ideal Christmas present and help avoid the rush for tickets when they go on sale at midday on the 25th April 2012 . The line up will be revealed on the 17th April 2012.  Prices are CHF 325 for a full day pass or CHF 275 at a reduced rate for students, apprentices, unemployed, senior citizens and disabled. New to the area and don't know much about Paléo? Take a look at all the previous posts on this site of this massive annual music festival (one of the largest in Europe) which takes place here in Nyon. Click here  to read interviews, reviews of bands and a look behind the scenes.

A selection of events coming up in Nyon and further afield Nyon   La Roulotte (the temporary summer (café behind the railway station) will open this Sunday at 15:00. More info on this café to come on this site. Bring an instrument to play for the opening party! Music -  19th April 20:30  The 1306 Club in Nyon   will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a performance by Djinbala - Gypsy, folk music . Full details s ee here Miscellaneous Dog Walker available Animal lover available for dog walking in the Gland and Nyon area  - Contact  Kamille 022-566-7497 Building your Brand  - One day workshop in Lausanne and Geneva   Learn the art of developing strong, compelling brands and delivering  effective communications. For more information on the course and the instructors see here Jamming in Eysins - Date for the diary  The Jamaican Association in Switzerland presents the 9th Annual Party on Saturday in Eysins (near Nyon) on May 11th 20:00 to 01:00.  Delicious Jamaican meals will be served. Jamaican Music Prizes and Surprises in favour of Schools in Jamaica.   Contact 079 842 55 92 or 078 601 3950  Further Afield Lunchtime talk   - "Challenges facing contemporary Islam and the implications for business and commerce" British Swiss Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon with Dr Tariq Ramadan,  Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University - Time magazine has twice recognized Ramadan: first in 2000, naming him one of the world's top 100 innovators of the 21st Century, and again, in 2004, as one of the world's top 100 most influential intellectuals.   May 3rd in Geneva  11:45- 14:00 See here for full details Theatre - Genev a   "Molloy" by Samuel Beckett Friday, April 26 at 19:30.  A a revival of "Molloy" by Samuel Beckett, directed by Judy Hegarty-Lovett.  This play has won huge acclaim around the world for the Gare St. Lazare Players (who have not been to Geneva for a while).  Some of the critics comments below The Sunday Times “Striking...How at ease he (Lovett) seems in such a hallowed role...the gentle deadpan delivery brings out the casual genius”  Time Out (London) “Lovett delivers...with a beautiful haziness which perfectly accommodates the absurd one-liners...RECOMMENDED”  The Independent (UK) “Lovett's astonishing performance…completely inhabits the sound and spirit of Beckett's work.”  The Irish Times “Outstanding...Perfect...Kill to get a ticket”  The Scotsman bookings@theglas.org Tickets  CHF 30 and CHF 20 for students/unemployed.  Venue: AULA, College des Coudriers, 15a Avenue Joli Mont (opposite Balexert en route to airport) Brits in Business - Elevator Pitches - Tuesday 16 April  18:00. 20:00   See here for more details