Besançon: Rest Day - Mustard

Belle and David have chosen a commanding site for the picnic, the Besançon Citadel. One hundred metres above the old town, and encircled by an ox bow loop of the River Doubs, the citadel is a perfect example of seventeenth century military architecture, with its tenailles, curtain walls, watch towers, demilunes and ramparts.

The Citadel boasts three museums.

And no pets are allowed in the grounds.

At the ticket office, the three members of Team Crustacean are mistaken for pets.

.......

The picnic reconvenes outside the ramparts.

This is all right, says Sweezus. There's still an awesome view.

And cheaper, says Vello.

Belle and David unpack the picnic baskets. Champagne, champagne ham, Clovis mustard, moricettes, comté and concoillotte cheeses, gingerbread, pink biscuits, mirabelle plums.

Wonderful spread, says Freud. I feel I should have contributed.

There is a short silence. Then the picnic resumes.

Belle pours the champagne, and doles out slices of ham with lashings of mustard.

Ahuu! coughs Ageless, biting into his ham.

What's this, mustard? splutters Ageless.

It's Clovis Reims Champagne Mustard, says Belle. Aged in oak. Don't you like it? I'm sorry.

I like it, says Unni. It's smooth and woody.

Arthur tries some on a spoon. He likes it. He eats several spoonfuls. Heeearr! Mustard gas bores through his nose.

This is pleasant, says Vello, chewing on a dry moricette (which is a pretzel). Ow!

What is it papa? Have you broken a tooth? asks Belle.

I don't think so, says Vello, feeling his face.

Have some more champagne, papa, says Belle kindly.

Gaius is eating a pink biscuit with a mirabelle plum, and thinking regretfully about the natural history museum to which he will now not gain access. A zoo, farm, aquarium, insectarium and noctarium....... alas....

Well, says Freud. And how is everyone feeling after ten days of racing?

Optimistic, says Sweezus. All the big guns are out of contention

Creaky and stiff, says Ageless. That rain did me no good at all.

You should get Freud to give you a massage, says Belle et Bonne. That's what managers are for.

Freud looks faintly offended for a number of reasons.

He tries to change the subject.

And what about you? says Freud looking directly at Unni.

I could complain, says Unni, looking at Sweezus. But I'm not going to.

Ha, laughs Sweezus, uncomfortably. A good team leader needs the support of his riders.

Yes, says Arthur, such as when.....

He tries to remember what it was when, but oh that champagne and that mustard. His head feels like horrible cheese.

I knew you were going to bring that up, says Unni.

What does it matter? says Arthur, holding out his glass for a top up. Look at this view. Look at the loop of the Doubs......the loop loop loop of the doooobs....

Vello is holding his stomach and laughing. And yes, his tooth is quite sore. He takes another slice of ham and mustard.

Hic! Ho! Ulp! Ageless collapses.

Oh mortality! cries Ageless. Bring me a pencil!

No one has a pencil.

Anything, cries Ageless. Urk! I must write my last farewell to Kobo!

He is turning bright yellow.

Freud silently hands him his phone, and Ageless starts texting.