DATE: Monday 24 July, 1995
PLACE: Macon to Tournus
WEATHER: Hot
REMARKS: Fresh croissants for breakfast.
Desiree has disappeared in search of dental care. It transpires
she has an infection under a filling; anti-biotics are prescribed
and work. Desiree is full of praise for her French dentist
and his technology.
We go for a stroll: the others to look at the church; me
to find a Bank for cash. It turns out that most shops are
shut on Mondays, so I have a brisk walk to the far end of
the town centre. Mission accomplished, on the return I notice
a lovely Dome, the surface of which is apparently mosaic-like.
We re-group and set off. The afternoon is 3 hours of steady
cruising to Tournus. No locks and a wide, gentle river. Lots
of grey herons, swans, small herds of (mainly) Charollais
cattle (8-12 seems to be the herd size), and lots of people
fishing. There are even trains! Mainly passenger. The buildings
are different than in Italy. Although tall, the materials
are darker, and the roofs are of dark slate.
If Italy was arable and dominated by industrial sized fields
of corn and sun-flowers, this part of France (and more towards
Chambery) is pastoral, with ample hay and small herds. Closer
to Tournus, more space is devoted sunflowers and corn.
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