Du Pain, Du Vin, Du Japon

Officially the best day of the holiday so far.

Heading to Autun for a market we'd read took place on a Friday, as soon as we'd bought a basket for Mel to take home to use for the farmers market we really had to fill it to save it looking sad and lonely. Sausages, bread, wild mushrooms and macaroons later and the basket was overflowing with fine foods that were just the reason we'd gone to the market in the first place. And only once did one of the stallholders (who all dealt with everything with a smile on their faces and an incredibly friendly demeanour - we appear to have bypassed the Gallic grump) break into English, towards the end of the macaroon purchase. Even then it felt like it was done in a nice way that did nothing to get my back up, nor felt like any commentary on my French.

Confidence bolstered (listening to French radio for a month before arriving here seems to have done wonders for bringing back my French in advance of the trip, getting close to the level I had when I was a student here 14 years ago (i.e. fluent, but 14 years! Sheesh!)) we had a wander around the cathedral in the beautiful old town (where this almost achieved blipdom) before depositing the food back 'home', taking the time for a mushroomed toast lunch, and heading back out into wine country. Indeed a coutryside simply dominated by wine. And not just any wine either, some of the most highly regarded whites on the planet, such as the vino collapso of Puligny-Montrachet.

And lo cases of wine magically appeared in the boot of the car. Oh the joy of no luggage weight limits... If only the bank account were as lacking in limit.

So why the Japon? Well, in a country renowned for its cuisine where else would we choose to eat but in a Japanese restaurant? To be honest a lot of French food leaves me a bit 'meh', and I'm not sure the arrogance is warranted these days. Anyway, when Asian food is done as well as the meal we had tonight there is little doubt in my mind that the right choice was most certainly made, and the whole experience, from the room, to the service, via the melting beef, beautiful tempura and superb sushi, was a worthy end to such a good day.

And that's without mentioning the capture on screen of two of the birds I hadn't seen before we came down here - the Eurasian Jay, and the Black Redstart (both male and female). Next up I need to get some of the spectacular raptors that dot the landscape, as well as the fabulous little browny-red squirrels.

On trouve la joie de vivre....