Novotel Hotel Besancon Besançon

... count! In Besancon, we visited the Musee du Temps (museum of time) which houses many time pieces through the centuries. We saw the "world's most complicated watch" . Additionally, we saw the Astronomical Clock that has 30,000 parts which run 70 dials giving 122 different indices. Amazing! Besancon is surrounded by a Citadelle /Fortress, which ...

Finally got to a chateau today, but not the sort I had anticipated. I had been expecting something more grand with lots of fine furnishings, gillt etc.. and while this chateau was grand it was a bit more medieval. It had been an important line of defense in the many wars that have featured in France's history. After the Revolution the revolutionaries ordered it and many chateaux to be destroyed because of what they represented, so this magnificent ...

... interesting local fish.I told Ed he was not allowed to fish there. :) It also had a pool of large goldfish outside that you could pet. They tried to eat Ed's fingers. We checked out the "Insectarium" as well, where they had tanks of different insects from different places. Hopefully it is still there, since the room was primarily made of wood and we saw a lot of termites escaping their exhibit when we walked through. We walked along the tops of ...

... s someone else doing it too. The scenery varies between narrow gorge and wider embankments leading to dams every few miles. There are castles and churches everywhere. Its very pretty but after the first twenty or so. I needed to make a bit more progress, my initial target came up about 12.00. So we had lunch in a pretty glade by the river and she turned off to geocache and I pushed on. It was an even narrower gorge and quite pretty. I ...

... as I'm in a major town and its possible but its replacement looks less warm and cost almost three times as much. After that I went for a ride round the city's riversides which were full of people sunbathing. Also on one island people were having barbecues etc and it had a very nice relaxed feeling. So I got off and hung out for a bit. Then back to the supermarket for supper then another kip and finally to blog. Quest for wireless didn't happen so no photo's uploaded. The ...

... Lots of people out for the day. There was also a rather neat powerless ferry that used the current to pull itself across while attached to a dolly on a wire suspended across the river. There were now people sunbathing. Regensberg is as fine as I remembered it; a wonderful combination of river parks and history. I was looking for an independant hostel and have found it. Its very quiet but there's only a micrwave to cook with and I have very lttle ...

... amount of flat building in the multi-storey long concrete slab style. Six storeys is entirely normal; I can see more than forty from the bedroom widow. Taller is common too. The weather was brightening up a bit; I followed the cycle path down the hill and back into the town centre. This place is very scenic and interesting; the location defines the layout of the town and the huge fort construction by Vauban has shaped what land is available as the town developed. So the old town ...

... and there are often social facilities like a bar, restraurant or pool table provided. Its a decent idea but doesn't cross over with youth hostel market very easily. Given the effort required to reach this one the number of hostellers is modest and most workers want to veg out in the evenings. However this one is of an excellent standard (generally). I have six bags to carry and she gives me a room on the second floor. Key doesn't work. Back to reception. Second key ...

... fesaient du parapente, je suis jalouse!!! Ensuite ... CHAMONIX!!!!!!!! SUPER MEGA COOL!!!! J'espere etre capble de vous mettre des photos du mont-blanc!!! Nous sommes monté en haut de l'aiguille du midi... 3900 Metres... 2 téléphériques totalement dans le vide... encore une fois, c'est pas pour vous les mamans.. meme moi je me tenais bien!! J'ai vraiment adore chamonix!!! plein de mer de glace sur les montagnes ...

... of Time. After visiting the Musuem of Time, I decided to leave and head back to the train station. After making a brief stop at a mini mart to buy some drinks for the road and redirected by a local to the bus stop (they changed the bus routes around due to the festival, and this local explained that to me when she saw me waiting at this bus stop right outside of centre ville and she helped me find the other bus stop) I eventually got back ...