We want a job. Not any old job. We want a job that equips us with a Michelin book of maps, a decent lunch allowance, money for petrol, and a green felt tip pen. We don’t even expect to be paid.
What we want to do is become Michelin Inspectors. Not of Michelin starred restaurants – though perhaps they could send us to dine in one from time to time. No, we want to inspect all their ‘green roads’, the ones they regard as especially scenic and maybe worth a detour. And we want to make suggestions of our own,
The D6 for instance, from just outside Mirepoix to Castelnaudary. How could that not be a green road? The route twists and turns, echoing the contours of the wonderful rolling hillsides, with the most majestic of the peaks that the Pyrenees can offer as a distant backdrop.
Or the D625, which brings you back from Castelnaudary another way. Compared with those, some of the highways in the centre of France which are rated green are rather dull. ‘Huh! Officially pretty?’ we snort, as we drive along the endless D 976 near Romorantin.
Really, they should give the job to us. We know a route that’s worth a detour when we see it. And we’re both pretty handy with a green felt tip pen.
By the way, I forgot to take my camera with me on Friday when we drove along the above-mentioned D6 and the D625. Please accept a view of the Canal du Midi in Castelnaudary itself in lieu.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Green routes are indeed a mystery. When we were regularly touring around France we decided that it had to do with the number of trees along the route. Probably completely wrong, but as good a guess as any other. I certainly think you should have the job.
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I think the trees theory’s not a bad one. And thanks for the job offer. There’s room for several of us though, so why don’t you come too?
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Thats a great idea! I wish we had something like that in the states. I know a few routes which would probably count.
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Bet you do! Getting to explore some ourselves is on the wish list!
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Forget the camera, huh? No wonder we didn’t get the job!
M
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That wasn’t the problem. We didn’t have a green felt tip.
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Perhaps you need a set of green Pantone markers so your roads could be graded in different shades of green? Or are we getting technical now?
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Oh hang on now! I’ll get green ink everywhere and get in a frightful muddle. Nope. It’s pretty, or it’s not pretty. End of story.
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