Ate Lebanese meze last night in Besancon. Small place owed by the ageing sisters who'd come over from Lebanon, along with a husband of one (now 10 yrs dead). They prepared a nice meal and they had a good bottle of Beqaa valley red. They were very uncertain of their future because trade had really fallen off during the recession. Nice people.
This morning we followed the cycle path along the banks of the river Doubs. This the French section (Velo Route 6) which is part of a pan European cycle route which links Bordeaux to the Black Sea.we left the Franche-Compte region to enter the Jura department.
By lunchtime we'd reached the town of Dole. It was market day there. A really lovely town. We bought some Compte cheese which we ate with a bagful of Mirabelles (small sweet orange coloured plums). Jackie spotted some wine tasting on the market and her eyes lit up. Me, Mr Spoilsport, pointed out that wine tasting maybe not such a good idea with 40 miles still to pedal. Many people, including me, reckon Compte, to be the finest cheese in the world. In the afternoon we cycled on down to Chalon /s Saone.
It was an 83 mile stage. We had a strong head wind for about 82 of those. Why do we never get a tailwind!
This town had the busiest centre of any place I've been to other than a souk. It was rammed with shoppers. Interestingly, all the shops brought their wares out onto the street. Even the jewellers. Not a particularly French thing. Most strange.
We cross and travel along numerous waterways. We see many many fishermen. But, like in the UK, are there never any women fisher people? Not one. Women have caught onto everything else, like playing rugby, darts, poker, pool etc etc. But why not fishing? Any ideas? #baffled
Phew. This is a big country.