In this update we thought that we would start with something a little different
- an "oldy but goldy" photo for a change.
David can't remember exactly when it was taken so maybe someone on the photo
can be more precise. It was probably around the mid sixties, outside the Rendezvous
coffee bar at the bottom of Knowle Road, Mirfield in Yorkshire. The customers
had organised a day trip to Blackpool and David took this photo just before
they set off. As you can see, at least 2 people were excited about having
their picture taken. They were Jenny and Dinah. Others include Ronnie Rose,
David Croft, Gloria Pattinson, Christine from Heckmondwike, Diane (the coffee
bar owner) and Griff. Sorry David can't remember any more names but the faces
he remembers as though it was yesterday.
ALL GOING TO BLACKPOOL
Apparently all sorts of things happened that day but nothing too serious
- just a good day out!
Anyway back to things a little more French.
Our friends Paul and Val trimmed up their boat DILLYKIM for the "Pardon
des Mariniers" festival and in this next photo here they are, Saturday
afternoon, heading out to the Quay National from the Gare d'eau in St Jean
de Losne.
LE PARDON DES MARINIERS
As we explained in our last update, we and Uschi were invited to spend the
day with Murray and Jenny on their steel cruiser ELECTRA. Plenty to eat and
drink all day if we felt the need.
JENNY, MURRAY and LIZ
Actually we had all had our share the night before. It just started out
as a drink at the Café National (run by Jacky and Mireille) but then
seemed to last all evening. We're not really sure what the strength of Jacky's
rosé wine is but as you can see, at least one of us needed a little
help getting home.
ANNIE and PAMELA
It's the first time we have been in St. Jean de Losne at this time of year
and it was great to see the change that comes over the place. Trying to get
a place to moor on the quay can be a bit of a challenge put it's a great spot
for people watching.
David took this next picture from Murray's boat ELECTRA of a solar phenomenon
caused by ice particles. We think that it is called something like "Newton's
Ring". It certainly looked very spooky and was even featured by the local
press.
SOLAR SPECTACLE
Our neighbours Gaby and Annie continue to refurbish their boat L'Alliance
and in time for the cruising season, a new BBQ was required. Of course if
you get a BBQ this big then you also need someone who knows what they are
doing at the controls. So enter stage left François who sits at the
controls of a TGV for a living (for those who may not know, a TGV is a VERY,
VERY fast French train).
GABY'S NEW BARBEQUE
Back on the quay we found Harry and David holding the fort and they made
it look so easy.
HARRY AND DAVID
A weekend of jet skiing was on the cards for the captain and crew of L'Alliance
but how many would they need?
2 on the front deck and 1 on the swim platform proved to be enough.
ANOTHER JET SKI
Too much activity can be so tiring, even if you are only watching from a
distance. But we know of a Shangri-La on Rue Monge and so a visit was arranged.
The idea was to take a picture of Sylvie and Gerard's banana tree. But as
you can see, every angle of their garden is worthy of a photograph.
BANANA TREE
TRANQUILITY
We thought that this next picture deserved a place as it is a selection
of lamb that we roasted on our Cobb BBQ. The lamb was the main ingredient
for our Jarret of lamb casserole which was a recipe we invented a few months
ago - very tasty!
ROAST LAMB
We have an acquaintance, Michel, who has just moved from Provence and this
next photo is of his dog having to wear a lamp-shade for a while. How cute
is that!
IN THE SHADE
We eventually left the Quay National in St Jean de Losne and headed off
down the Saône towards Chalon and the Canal du Centre. The first stop
on the Canal du Centre is called Fragnes and what they have developed by the
canal there is a real credit to the village. It's not solely for the boating
community and really shows the forward thinking of the people.
FRAGNES
In the photo the large roof on the left is nothing more that just that,
but the acting port captain tells me that the villagers hold lots of functions
under it. The other buildings are a hairdresser, a boulangerie and a restaurant.
What more could you want?
Of course Gromit had to find something he didn't like so picked on this
little dog. He certainly does seem to get the better of poodle sized dogs.
STAND OFF
Further along the canal and we came across a place called Chagny where there
is a market every Sunday morning. The market had lots of good food and we
even found some Peruvian Pan Pipers (but they weren't edible). We had a bit
of a chuckle about these pipers because they seem to get to every market in
Europe.
Our next photo is of some old variety tomatoes on sale at the market that
seem to be popular again. Just a bit different to some of the vine tomatoes
that you get these days that all look a little too perfect, as if they have
come out of a machine.
ANCIENT TOMATOES
Not sure what the chap serving in the next picture is up to. What do you
think? Is he saying …..
"Did you ask for 5 melons?"
"If you take my picture, you take my soul"
or
"I don't want the benefit office to see me working!"
MELONS du PROVENCE
Another spot on the Canal du Centre is Santenay, a place very famous for
its wine and a beautiful walk to the village from a very picturesque mooring.
Not to mention the greengage trees (I said don't mention them!)
MOORING AT SANTENAY
FLOWERS AT SANTENAY
We saw a sign in the village pointing the way to an old windmill and as
we had time to spare decided to pay it a visit. But as we climbed we realised
that it was further than we thought and found that we were running out of
energy. So David took this photo from a distance and we turned back to the
boat to let Gromit out.
THE OLD WINDMILL
We cruised on a little further to a place called St. Leger sur Dheune. A
few hours later, heading towards us from the opposite direction, David spotted
a barge that we thought we should know and he narrowed it down to one of 2
possibilities. As it got closer we realised that it was in fact FLEURIE, a
sister ship of LEA CREST, brought over this year from Mirfield and Nick and
Diane's new pride and joy.
We first met Nick and Diane in St. Jean de Losne when FLEURIE was just at
the planning stage and they are currently heading for St. Jean de Losne where
the boat will stay for the winter.
FLEURIE
Most, and possibly all, red wines produced in the Bourgogne region are made
from one grape variety - the pinot noir. So we thought it was time to add
a photo of a few bunches.
PINOT NOIR
Then we thought that we should try some of the better wines as we were moored
next to a Cave that sells it. We had planned to set off that morning at 09:00
so the visit to the cave had to be early and our next photo was taken at 08:51
am - mustn't make a habit of this!
BREAKFAST AT CHEILLY
Our last photo is of Adrienne, one of Pamela's nieces, who recently got
married to Jonathan in Rotherham, England.
It was at the time of all the floods, but despite that, everything went
according to plan and she is now a very proud Mrs Adrienne Carrington.
We send them both our very best wishes for health and happiness in the future.
ADRIENNE AND JONATHAN
Well that's all for now so goodbye and best wishes from
