Welcome Visitors

We love having visitors and are really appreciative of the long distances people travel and the convoluted routes they are prepared to take in order to find us (not to mention the even more involved route they might have to make to return home). Our somewhat lackadaisical approach to planning means that we're never quite sure where we're going to be even a week hence so I'm afraid intending crew have to be pretty resourceful, adventurous types prepared to make their final travel arrangements at the last minute. If you're thinking of joining us over the next month or so I can say with certainty that we will be in France (although we are very close to both Switzerland and Germany at the moment) and with some confidence somewhere in Franche Comte or Burgundy. Unlike some other countries France has maintained an excellent train network which generally works efficiently and as canals and railways often share similar routes we are usually not too far from a station. I say generally because there is always the possiblity of a strike or some unforseen (by us at least) stoppage for line works. As happened to Libby and Brian who left us this morning from Baumes les Dames on a rather tortuous trip back to Edinburgh. They joined us last week at Besancon (having been emailed their destination station a couple of days earlier - all very secret mission-ish). Not knowing our plans they had booked return flights from Paris to Edinburgh but decided to arrange the trains back to Paris from here. Not a problem, normally, but today and tomorrow there is a problem. Unfazed, they arranged a somewhat  longer journey via bus and train and involving a bit of waiting around which they cheerfully accepted as good opportunities for cafe stops.

Besancon is a lovely old walled city overlooked by the UNESCO world heritage site citadel (which, apart from containing a couple of museums, also has a zoo with a poor, lonely kangaroo in it.

I bet he doesn't enjoy winter here).

Besancon Citadel

River Doubs from Besancon Citadel

 There's a lot to see from Roman ruins to Renaissance buildings and more and we spent a hot couple of days exploring. The streets are wide and paved and the stone of the buildings is a lovely gold, pink and blue.

Antique carousel at Besancon

Besancon

The River Doubs loops around the city walls, and can be navigated with care (not sufficient care from us I'm afraid - we managed to bump the bottom once)

and then through a tunnel beneath the citadel.

Tunnel entrance Besancon

We had been told by many people that the Doubs river valley from Besancon towards the Rhine was spectacular scenery wise (a bit like Scotland) and so it has proved. Unfortunately some good Scottish mist and rain  followed our guests here and we've had a wet few days (making it even more like Scotland).

No-one's spirits were dampened though and we've had a lot of laughs (some credit must go to Chic Murray), great food, wine and 'Glesga patter'. So, thanks Libby and Brian (a man prepared to hike more miles than you'd believe in search of a baguette) for your great company and see you soon in Oz.