1730hrs Saturday 30th Augusr
Just arrived in The nice little town of Doucier which is to be home for 2 nights. We found the hotel check in only opens at 6 so, although it was a hardship we had to have a couple of beers to pass the time. Interestimg day today. 40 normal miles to Lons Le Saunier then we did a ridiculously steep climb to a village for lunch - which it turned out was in the wrong direction. In trying to get back on course we ended up pushing down a long muddy footpath and getting the bikes, and us,  covered in sticky mud!  Once we were back on track, cleaned up and climbing another humongous hill (in increasing heat) we had the nice surprise of crossing an old railway track which is now a cycle path!  This took us through several floodlit tunnels as it climbed upwards in the right direction, making our climb a lot less arduous than expected.  Once we were back on the proper road it wasn't very far to our hotel in Doucier.  I'm a bit disappointed with this actually as our room has one double bed but then two bunks. As we are here for two nights I had hoped for better facilities. Hey ho!
Apart from that the day has been great with another 60 miles covered and we are all feeling we've arrived. The ride so far has been 'getting here'. Now we are in the Jura Mountains and have only relatively short rides ahead, it seems as though we have arrived!
Later
We ate at the hotel where we appear to be the only guests. Food is 'their thing' and all was homemade and carefully prepared, though the wine was very expensive!
We have been surprised here and right through France how quiet everywhere is. There seem to be very few tourists around now, French or from elsewhere. Seems as though their season has pretty well finished, despite the weather still being fine and summery. At least it makes the roads a hit quieter.
There is no wi-if in the hotel so I am sending this on a cool Sunday morning. Enjoying a break from the bikes of course but now need to head for the Inter Marche before it closes early as it's Sunday, to get some reasonably priced wine as well a picnic. More next time. Thanks for reading.