Leaving the delights of the Seine valley via Tonnere it is a gentle run down to the canal de Burgundy at Le Creusot and Montceau les Mines. During last years trip Eddie secreted a bicycle, that had been made up of at least 3 wrecks frown away by local people. I must explain at this stage that Eddie enjoys assembling bicycles, particularly if they have been basket cases. Raiding the decheterries he is awlways able to rescue sufficient parts to construct at least one acceptable machine. Once finished they usually find good homes, traded off for food, wine or sexual favours: he doesn't mind either way. This present bike had been hidden down a well for the past 12 months; the reason being that he was on his way back to the northern coast and didn't really have any space in his rig. This would now be Ramunia's steed for the rest of her trip.
The canal at this point weaves gently froo the town of Montceau, originally a steel, mining and rail town all that is left is the canal plus the odd iron monuments reflecting it's industrial past. The water does make the town pretty. Spacious green areas now cover industrial wastelands, parks have sprung up where rolling stock sheds stood, rejuvenated suburbs spread where voluminous warehouses blocked out the light.
Tete de Veau.
This a very local treet. Believe me it tastes like warmed up dog vomit: but each to their own. Every chef has his own special recipee. The basic ingredient is the peeled face from a smaal cow; cheeks, nose, ears an' anyfink else that can be justifyibly used. a combination of vegetables are added to make a sort of glutinous fick soop.
Start wiv the usual onions, garlic an' seasoning. add some diced vege, carrots, potatoes, celery and later some beens and pees. Stir in the bits form the cows face; once sealed add arf a cup of risotto rice plus one pint of beef stock. Simma foa as long as you want, it won't matter becawse it will still taste like lumpy spew in wallpaper paste.
Of course Eddie doesn't make this; it is difficult to find a cows face at 'Leader Price' as they are awlways the first to be liberated by the locals. Eddie settles foa chips an' egg tonight and a distinct lack of hole.
