The next morning they not only desired, but felt it was time to move on and after receiving a final all clear from the hospital in Lausanne, Harry, with more than a little reluctance, handed the car keys over to Tony. The expression he wore was one of almost fear and trepidation. There was no point in arguing or creating any friction over the decision, their continuing safety was what was necessary for him to bear in mind - essential in fact. Harry needed to become subordinate in this instance and for how long, he knew not.
Although his close friend wasn't the world's most perfect driver, they needed to continue their vacation without any serious problems re-occurring with Harry's health while behind the wheel. It was gratifying at least that Tony was insured to drive the Mercedes, but it still didn't put Harry's mind completely at rest. He felt moody and a little resentful, but after considering the matter more soberly in the early hours of the morning he decided that, due to the recent turn of events, he would and should at least consider their futures.
They were heading for Besancon, taking them north and slightly west, crossing back into France not long after leaving the city of Lausanne with thoughts of the lake and everything surrounding it - high mountains, castles and beautiful scenery, to name but a few. Harry had given Miss Madam, the sat/nav her usual marching orders which, for most of the time were adhered to. Tony drove very sedately at first, his face tense with concentration and the sheer responsibility that weighed heavily on his mind, sometimes drifting this way and that, meandering like a river. Only once before, had it been necessary to drive Harry's car when it was thought he was more than slightly over the alcohol limit. They had been out celebrating his birthday and Tony had taken control of the situation by confiscating his friend's car keys, until he was given consent to drive them home safely. Harry really had no choice in the matter and had to succumb in the end with more than a little grumpiness.
While Harry took the opportunity to gaze out of the window, his friend continued along a main road thought to be the right one, although they hadn't noticed any road signs for some time to guide them in the right direction. Miss Madam had spoken up in the nick of time before a wrong turning was looking imminent. There were times when the men thought she must be having a nap, before she announced, 'After 400 yards take the third exit at the roundabout, then repeated herself soon after in her usual stroppy manner. 'Take the third exit at the roundabout.'
'That doesn't sound too difficult,' Tony said, feeling more confident, but Harry couldn't help adding his own thoughts. He was looking at the map on his knees, crumpled and in a mess twisting it this way and that, suggesting Tony take the second exit. It only confused Harry all the more.
'What do I do now then, eh? We need to make up our minds right now!'
'According to the map, we have to take the second exit - I think!'
Tony was even more confused and approaching the roundabout, kept driving in circles while Harry looked for road signs to Besancon. 'Hurry up Harry, make up your mind. Where do I turn?'
By now he was becoming more than a little exasperated. His face was set with a deep frown, slowing the car to such an extent, it only frustrated the French drivers behind him even more than usual. Miss Madam was beside herself. 'Turn right, now!'
'Alright, alright, I'll do as you say!' Tony answered, hoping it was right to trust her. He detested her tone. Such comments were almost scathing, his jangled nerves feeling raw. After several rotations, he finally turned at the third exit, and soon they spotted a sign to Besancon, much relieved. Neither of them are the world's best at navigating, but they muddled through somehow.
'Phew!' said Harry, settling back hesitantly into the passenger seat again, barely convinced that at last they were on the straight and narrow, heading in the right direction. Immediately, several cars roared past tooting, with furious looks on their driver's faces. 'Perhaps you should speed up a bit,' he suggested. 'At this rate we will be arriving in the wee small hours of tomorrow morning.'
Tony glanced quickly at his friend. 'Well if you're sure...'
'I'm sure,' added Harry, as he looked at she of the dashboard. He thought he heard a long sigh of relief echoing his own.
Steady progress was made for the remainder of the day, calling in at a roadside convenience store that sold food, with picnic tables and benches where they could eat under huge spreading trees. The weather was still very warm, the trees being a welcome site. They had been lucky to find somewhere that was open, as many cafes and shops closed for about two hours at lunch time in France. The villages were sometimes ghostly quiet during the middle of the day, with hardly a sole to be seen. Shutters were drawn and a stillness descended upon whole towns. Even some of the large supermarkets had closed as they were unable to buy petrol until later.
Upon entering Besancon, immediately the city emitted a certain aura about it, drawing in their sense of intrigue and curiosity. They weren't quite sure about where they were to stay for the next two nights, until Harry suddenly pointed and almost shouted.
'Look! Over there!' he announced excitedly, 'I do believe that hotel might suit us nicely. What do you say Tony?' He seemed quick to make up his mind while his friend deliberated for a few moments negotiating through traffic lights. He wasn't looking forward to circumnavigating the town several times to seek out others, while Tony ambled slowly to and fro, his mind on several things at once, holding up all the locals, fuming as they drove behind him.
'By George you're right!' laughed Tony, looking pleased. 'That was quick and thank goodness we didn't have to continually deliberate while driving around the town looking for one.'
'Yes indeed', thought Harry somewhat smugly. 'How very true.'
Tony waited until the green light and turned the car around, soon negotiating the hotel car park, quietly relieved. 'I'll go and see if there are rooms available,' shall I?'
That evening after settling into very comfortable rooms, they strolled through a park opposite and across a bridge into the main thoroughfare of town.
'This has instant appeal,' suggested Harry, looking down a curving narrow street. Several people were strolling past some boutique-looking shops, checking the windows as they went. There was a good sprinkling of cafes and bars to choose from, spilling into the evening glow of late afternoon, a warm ambience emitting through doorways as they wandered past. Several waiters were standing beside the menu boards of their place of employment, looking hopeful.
They decided on a restaurant bar in the shade of the setting sun - soon to be slowly sipping their wine watching the world pass by.
'Did you notice that small ferry tied up to a wooden quay as we crossed the bridge back there?' Harry's face was lit up with a wide-eyed expression, his eyes twinkling, cheery with expectation, raised eyebrows hopeful.
Tony considered for a moment. 'Ah yes! I did, come to think about it, and further along the narrow part of the river there appeared to be one of many locks. Wonder if it operates for people like us?'
'Tourists you mean.'
'Well we are, aren't we?' Tony retorted, his face awry before smiling at his friend, biting his bottom lip.
'I suppose so. In fact I think there was a sign saying what time it sailed. We could look on the way back if you like.'
'Right then, I'll hold you to that,' replied Tony, before eyeing a very attractive woman not far away, sitting chatting to another lady who looked to be a close friend, before they both burst out laughing. 'Err...perhaps we could eat over there,' he suggested, wondering hopefully.
Harry's eyes followed those of his friend.
'Ah ha, now I wonder why, eh?' he laughed.
'Well alright if we must. Nice looking place too. As long as the food is good, I'm happy.'
They plucked up courage, which wasn't difficult for Tony, as they wandered over and sat at an adjoining table. The two ladies briefly glanced in their direction, before resuming their conversation.
When the meal arrived, it looked appetizing and exactly what both men felt like eating. Their faces lit up with expectation.
Eventually the two ladies paused to drink their wine and smiled at the two men.
'That looks nice,' remarked the lady pleasantly, who Tony first noticed from across the street.
'Tastes good too,' replied Tony, smiling with all his usual charm.
Eventually they engaged in a stimulating and interesting conversation, covering many subjects from history, travel, to fine art, before venturing on to the Impressionists of the 19th century. The subject of Monet and his many paintings was well discussed, as was Turner, although both men were a little out of their depth. The ladies appeared well read and were also from England - the south west in fact, taking a much needed vacation from their busy teaching lives.
Halfway through the warm, almost balmy evening, they met another couple who were younger and perhaps man and wife. They spoke French but with reasonably good English, enough to easily communicate, their names being Susanna and Ben. They too joined in, which created a three-way conversation across the tables, resulting in not only more stimulating chatter, but a great deal of fun. Tony suggested in his usual manner, he treat them all to a drink, to round off a pleasant evening. This was duly accepted and when the waiter spotted their camaraderie all laughing together, he gladly responded suggesting the drinks were on the house, to which everyone toasted his considerable gesture of hospitality. Oddly enough the names of the two ladies were Kathleen and Maudy, reminding Harry and Tony of their very first loves many years ago.
The next day, strolling back into the main part of town, which was actually a city, the two men decided to wander at will to see what they could find of interest. The architecture of many of the two and three story houses was attractive to say the least, being typically French with red tiled rooftops, shuttered dormer windows, and where no modernity had been allowed to spoil the authenticity of this very pleasant town of Besancon. It was tucked away off the usual beaten track as far as swarming with tourists was concerned, nestled around the banks of the river Doubs with fine galleries and belle époque bars. Discovering its delights was making this relatively unknown town of France, truly memorable. They soon found also, it was the birthplace of Victor Hugo; the atmosphere was charming with its pretty squares and wandering at will allowed them to discover more of its history, stretching as far back as pre-Roman times. Julius Caesar described its naturally defensive site as "the jewel in my crown."
The men came upon a small park, called Square Castan, shrouded with several tall, leafy, deciduous trees. Amongst them were the remains from the antique Gallo-Roman city of Vesontio. On the edge of the park stood the remains of several tall columns, close to the road that led through a magnificent Roman archway, the Porte Noire, erected around 175 A.D., in honour of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This triumphal carved archway is the most prestigious of the remaining monuments of roman Besancon. Named the Black Door during the Middle Ages, and richly decorated with sculptures, mythological scenes, infantry, cavalry battles and plant motifs with little winged sprites.
They crossed a border from the present time to a long ago history neither knew much about.
Harry gasped as he slid his hands over 2000 years of history, marveling at the exquisite carving on the archway and beside it. 'These are astonishingly good - exquisite in fact and equal to anything in Rome where the Forum lies. Just look Tony! Have you ever seen anything quite so impressive? No one appears to care either. Not another soul interested.'
Walking under it, led them to the church of St. Madeleine where they spent more time studying the paintings surrounding the alter and further, mounting some stairs that finally went nowhere.
Later, as they strolled backed across the bridge near the park, trees waving in a light breeze, they noticed the sign advertising a boat trip on the river Doubs, leaving the next day in the early afternoon.
'What do you think Harry - shall we give it a try? Looks as though it might be fun. Are you feeling up to it old man?'
'Hey! Not so much of the "old". Yes, why not? I agree. It looks interesting and let's hope there will be a few locks to pass through. I've never done that before.'
Tony laughed. 'That's another first then. Well, there's only one way to find out, eh ol...' He paused briefly, a twinkle in his ageing eyes. 'Yes, let's do it!'
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