As usual, sorry for the delay in this update, which we started on the 18th
of June - we just seemed to have been sidetracked ever since!
We certainly know when our update is overdue as we get emails complaining
about the lack of news. But it's good to know that we are being kept an eye
on so thanks for that.
Anyway, on with story so far and at the end of our last update we were at
a place called Vandenesse en Auxois, which was as far up the Bourgogne canal
as we intended to go this year. The view of Chateauneuf en Auxois from our
wheelhouse was stunning and apart from sightseers this was a very tranquil
spot. Here we caught up with our friends Pat and John on their narrowboat
HODDY DOD and in our first photo you can see John drinking in the view.
GOOD HEALTH
We hope that you don't all get fed up with the Hotel boat pictures that
appear on a regular basis but they are an important part of the French canal
system and obviously tend to cruise in the most picturesque areas. In our
next photo is one such boat squeezing its way into the lock at Vandenesse
with no room to spare.
A TIGHT SQUEEZE
We have discovered that in France it is apparently good luck to have your
wedding photographs taken with water in the background and we wonder just
how many shots of Chateauneuf have been taken from this particular vantage
point.
A GREAT BACKDROP
We have met our friends Nils and Irna on quite a few occasions, the last
time being last year in Paris and they always come with a great big smile
and plenty of good tales.
NILS AND IRNA
They always make a fuss of Gromit, which he likes, and getting this sort
of attention seems to send him into raptures.
ECSTASY
Mike and Kay, who we first met up in the north of France in 2004, arrived
at Vandenesse in their Tjalk. Back in 2004 they had a Dutch steel cruiser
but thought that the Tjalk was an easier boat to deal with. David got this
next picture of Mike cutting Kay's hair. Mike seems to have got a regular
job as "Mr Teasy Weasy" but then who hasn't in the boating world.
HAIR TODAY
We had a great meal and evening with them onboard NOOIT VOLMAAKT (apparently
that means never perfect) and the following morning they were on their way.
GONE TOMORROW
David spotted this snail by the lock. It reminded him of one Peter Thorn
had painted on his camper van i.e. carrying everything you own with you -
rather like live-aboard boaters! (for the trivia buffs amongst you, in Suffolk
snails are called Hoddy Dods).
HODDY DOD
Although we have had pictures of Chateauneuf on previous updates, we are
sure that the owner of this lovely barge would like a copy of this next one.
NICE PICTURE
Coming back from Vandenesse we revisited a place called Pont d'Ouche and
David felt that as it was 4 years since he had last handled a lawnmower, he
would offer to mow the grass around Bryony's canal side café. It turned
out to be just as he remembered and as he enjoyed it so much, he intends keeping
it up now, on a strict 4 yearly cycle.
JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE
We had something to post and so asked Bryony for directions to the post
box. Luckily, David had the camera with him and on his return showed her the
picture just to be sure that the post was in the right box. Looking at the
photo you can probably understand the worry here…
MAIN POST BOX
All too soon it was time to move on again and we said our farewells to Bryony.
But we are sure that we will return again very soon.
PAMELA AND BRYONY
Locks and lock-keepers cottages are all different in character and at the
lock in the next photo, we were greeted by an inflatable tulip!
TWO LIPS
It takes all sorts as they say and on that note, a good friend this winter,
Barrie, always had a thought for the day. For example:
DESPITE THE INCREASING COST OF LIVING ….
IT STILL SEEMS VERY POPULAR!
We are still trying out our new barbeque and the next photo shows a lock
keeper's dog who got wind of it. Needless to say Gromit wasn't amused…
LICKING LIPS
Fishing. Very popular by the canal and riverside but this picture reminded
us of the ever popular Bamforth postcards we all used to buy at the seaside.
BIKE RACK
One of our stops was a perfect hunting ground for Gromit with lots of mice
in the grass. Unfortunately however, he did get a little over enthusiastic
as he was preparing for his 5th catch of the afternoon. One step too far and
he backed into the canal. A bit like the chap with the camera "I'll just
move back a little to get everyone in".
IN AT THE DEEP END
This next one isn't David's best photo, but if he can get the right shot,
he will redo it another day. Some of the buildings at this village were definitely
designed to look like the barges that passed through here on a daily basis.
SIMILAR SHAPES
Coming back into Dijon, we met up with Barrie and Ann who were on their
way to Paris delivering their previous boat CATRY for the new owners. It had
been a long but enjoyable trip for them from Marseilles and still a fair way
to go.
BARRIE AND ANN
Gromit seemed to get his mouse catching skills honed nicely and his successes
were so predictable that we had the camera at hand most times.
BACK ON FORM
The next photo is of yet another subject for us to paint when we get the
paints out.
A GOOD SUBJECT
We arrived back at St. Jean de Losne where Paul and Judy on NORMADDIE were
finishing off the work on what Judy calls her "backyard". We still
call it the dance hall but whatever it is called, Judy looks very pleased
with the results.
A NEW BACK YARD
We can also confirm that it makes a cracking venue for an upmarket French
petit-dejeuner (that's breakfast).
BREAKFAST ON NORMADDIE
On the way back from the supermarket one day we spotted this young chap
trying on his father's boots. He has a long way to go before he fills them.
TOO SMALL FOR HIS BOOTS
And finally, but not wanting to sound like a tour guide, it was a big day
in St. Jean de Losne - Le Grand Pardon des Mariniers, held this year on the
weekend of 23 and 24 June.
Known as France's largest inland waterways centre, Saint Jean de Losne's
annual festival celebrates its aquatic heritage. The grand pardon is a festival
with a religious dimension where a mass is said for the sailors and the boats
are blessed by the priest, sending them safely on their way.
The vessels are lent old world charm with their decorations of flags and
bunting and the sailors dressed in traditional nautical outfits. The whole
of the town joins in with numerous food stalls, performances, sea shanties
and merriment. It really is a good weekend.
We and our friend Uschi were invited to spend the day as guests of Murray
and Jenny on their boat ELECTRA and as you can see from our last photo, ELECTRA
was trimmed up very well indeed.
