This morning we bid a fond farewell to our hosts: it was au revoir to the lovely ponies, spaniels, swans, black swans, geese, ducks, rabbit, peacocks, cockatiel, lovebirds - our discoveries last night as we walked around the grounds. We picked apples from the trees, and hunted for the golden plum tree, only to find not a single one left. Still, we had the homemade jam, freshly made each morning. Everything was shabby chic here, or just shabby, which added to the charm! We loved it. There was even a tiny gypsy caravan, complete with bedding for a night under the stars.
It was very sunny all day, but with a head wind for the first couple of hours, I'm afraid it was jacket on, jacket off, again. The road was long, with long, steep climbs, it was hard going, and not many hamlets never mind villages or towns. We were lucky to find a pastry shop open, and bought a snack for later. After 20 miles we turned onto a cycle track, which took us deep through a very old, dense forest, each tree must have been over 100ft tall. By 2ish we found a bench for 'lunch', and by 3ish, a roadside bookies/coffee bar/sweet shop, for a much needed cold drink, or two. The wind had dropped, the sky clear blue, it was hot, and we had a rest, and a wash!
After a final steep ascent we sailed downhill gladly into Luxeuil-les-Bains, found our hotel and room by 6.30, and scrubbed up for a meal out. It is a pretty town, and I'm very much looking forward to perusing the local shops...... We ate in a basement restaurant, Morrocan, sort of tasty, but brilliant surroundings which put a smile on our faces.
The curtains are closed, the shutters down, another successful day to write home about - and, nearly there!!
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