Spoilt cows!

It is said that Comte cows are the most pampered cows in the world. By Law each cow must have 2 1/2 acres of pasture to graze in summer. The land must have a spectcular array of flowers and grasses with an average of 130 different varieties for each dairy. It takes 450 litres of milk to make 1 wheel of comte cheese weighing up to 40kg. In winter the cows are kept comfortable in barns and fed on locally harvested hay. Fermented feed such as sileage is prohibited. The cheese production is based on original artisan traditions in 170 village dairies known as fruitiers and the milk must be collected within an 8 mile radius to ensure it is fresh. Additives or colourants or changes in the approved milk production are strictly prohibited. The cheese has extraordinary flavours - nutty, creamy, toasty are just some of the descriptions commonly heard. Every 4 months the cheese is tested for quality before being awarded the prestigeous AOC which it has held since 1958 and a coloured band showing its quality.

We had a wonderful time at the village fete last night with our French and English friends. Returning to the caravan at about 1.30 a.m. Up again at 7 in the morning to visit the Vide Grenier (car boot sale) in Dole. A wonderful lunch at our French friend's house and eventually came back about 5 p.m. and just to rub it in - it is 31 deg today!
We leave here tomorrow and we aren't sure when we will have Wifi again.