Sunday July 22 Deluz, Near Besancon

July 22, 2018

Sunday July 22 Deluz, Near Besancon

Perfect campspot.

Last year we met Bonnie and Cliff, a New Zealand couple from Papamoa who were also travelling in a motorhome and enjoyed riding their bikes along the canals. They had mentioned a great cycle path from Besancon along the Le Doubes River, saying that it was one of the best. It was a three-hour drive south, a perfect destination for today. Checked on my favourite app “Park4Night” to see what sort of campsites were on the river and found a great one on the river beside the bike path.

Set off about 10am and left the route completely over to Jilly. The first half was on the motorway taking us around Nancy and Epinal before joining a lesser road through Lure. The traffic was better than yesterday but the motorways were full of holidaymakers. Thoroughly enjoyed the drive through rolling countryside then climbing higher into the forested areas, finding it so good once we left the motorway and were passing through the French villages. And the traffic was very light.

The last 3 kms down to the river was on rather a “lesser” road and glad we didn’t meet anyone but arrived safe and sound early afternoon. This is not an official campsite and its free, but from the reviews we had read many people stay here and it is okay. Found a prime spot overlooking the river and weir, put the awning out and made ourselves at home. It will be lovely to sleep tonight with the sound of the water rushing down the weir and spillway.

Got the bikes out for the first time and it was just so good to be back on them again. It was only a short ride along the canal to make sure Ian’s back managed okay, and no problems. Will gradually increase our distances as we “both” get a bit fitter. Spotted a boat in the marina flying a kiwi flag, got quite excited until we realised that it had not been used for sometime and was looking a bit neglected.