Wednesday 15 July - To the Jura

We had been short of exercise lately so both resolved to ride after the usual breakfast of fresh croissant and bread. M1 opting for a circular cycle route north to Tournus then south east to Pont de Vaux the return. A smashing, quite fast ride of 38 miles compounded only by town closures for market day. M2 cycled into Lugny and back for his exercise but made the most useful discovery of a 'vidange' service area for camping cars in St Gengoux de Scisse. This truly excellent and free facility provided water, electricity and voiding which had not been available at the campsite. Yet again, we had been impressed with the provision of a free facility of great use to tourists and which provides an opportunity for trade. In UK, we seem to want to charge for everything to deter shoppers and pay the wages of the traffic wardens. A rethink required here.

M1 shocked to receive a message that a 44 year old chum from the Club had suffered a major stroke and had lost most motor abilities apart from his right arm. He was in hospital at the time for observation so hopefully the medics can still do their best to improve his prospects.

After packing up, we went to the vidange, did the necessary and, fully charged, set off towards Geneva. We stopped to eat the pate with fresh bread in one of the many motorway picnic areas provided with lavatories, wash-up areas and plenty of space - and all with no commercial outlet. Why can't we do that in UK? Yet another example of enlightened organisation, this time at national level.

We turned off the autoroute at Bellegarde sur Valserine to try to find a site in the Jura mountains to the west of Geneva. An important criteria was proximity to a restaurant. The charming village of Chezery-Forens, in the wonderfully impressive Valserine valley gave the answer, A quiet and well equipped site on the outskirts of the village and just a short walk to a first rate place run by the family Blanc which provided cold beers at the required time followed by a tip-top 14 euro meal. Sadly, the terrace adjacent to the fast running river wasn't open so we ate inside in good surroundings. Apart from her sing-song service voice, the meal was elegantly served by one well-preserved and well-presented sister while the other was the chef and mother kept a quiet eye on things from the confines of the kitchen. A short stroll back down the hill to the van.