The nights are drawing in now and the weather is cooling somewhat. Not that
it could have ever been called mad hot this year. But it has suited Gromit
we think, as he hasn't had to find cool, shady places as often during the
day. We tend to keep him in after dark and at this time of year that means
longer as far as he is concerned.
As you will see in our first photo, it doesn't help when his pals are still
out and patrolling the streets during the evening.
NIGHT PATROL
On the subject of patrols, it has become very important to keep an eye on
the stern gland fitting of Lea Crest every time we stop cruising. Unfortunately
this has leaked from day 1 and although refitted in dry dock back in Mirfield,
it soon started leaking again once we were in France. Not a lot could be done
once we were back in the water so we have devised all manner of make do and
mends until we need to be lifted out or back in dry dock (due next spring).
The leak is getting worse and harder to stop so the automatic bilge pump
is now backed up by a moisture alarm just in case the pump should fail. We
haven't come across anyone else with this problem so it will be interesting
next spring when we find and rectify the cause. Any suggestions in the meantime
will be gratefully received.
LEAKY REAR END
If there was a halfway mark for this years cruising, it was a place called
Paray le Monial, which is a very special place as far as the Catholic religion
is concerned. It is apparently a very famous spot for pilgrims who are on
their way to Compostello in northern Spain.
When we arrived at Paray le Monial in August, there was a huge religious
festival under way with thousands of followers sleeping under canvas. If there
is such a thing as a "main hall tent" we paced it out and it was
3,500 sq metres. That is 3,500 people with a square metre of room each. BIG
TENT OR WHAT!!
The emphasis was on young people and you would struggle to find a happier
and friendlier crowd anywhere. We did manage to outstay them though and watch
them break up camp. We are not sure what this bit of kit in our next photo
was for but, as they say…
MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
Well, that's the theory anyway, but we think that perhaps the 3rd person
from the front was putting levitation to the test!
It was just about a year since we had first met our friend Jean Claude in
this town. So a few phone calls and a bit of planning later saw a visit from
JC and Raymonde. They were in their camper van and we spent a couple of days
chatting and generally socialising with them. It was great to get together
again.
JEAN CLAUDE AND RAYMONDE
Another favourite spot of ours on the canal du Centre is Saint Julien. There
is nothing there really, but it is very peaceful and pretty, and if you stay
a while, it's a great place to meet new friends as they pass through. As we
have said many times about the canal system, its a very large network where
everyone eventually meets up. For example, Knud and Ericka who we met up with
at St. Julien are very well acquainted with our old friends John and Irene
on MOET CHANDON, who they met down in the south.
In the next photo, we're sure that Ericka was just composing herself. Or
was it just that the picture was taken too late/soon?. What it wasn't, was
the vast array of drinking equipment on view that was at fault!
SAINT JULIEN
Our gallery of boats and boaters is becoming quite important, so getting
a good photo of people we meet has become a must. Here we have Bill and Sylvia
who have a wonderful boat called BIESBOSCH. They are great company and have
lots of interesting stories to tell. And Sylvia's Tortilla - just amazing!
BILL AND SYLVIA
Now we're not sure what side of the fence this chap is on with regard to
hunting but his garden sculptures definitely have a hunting theme. Maybe we
will find out in the future.
TALLY HO
One of the last stops you make before leaving the canal du Centre to join
the river Saône is a small village called Fragnes. In their infinite
wisdom, the village have decided to make a feature of the canal as it passes
through and it really is lovely.
The boat in the next photo is called ENJOYABLE and was known to us from
its winter mooring in St. Jean de Losne. This is one of our favourite pictures
this summer and we are sure you will agree, the village of Fragnes should
be proud of this quay and its facilities.
ENJOYABLE IN FRAGNES
Back on the river Saône and heading upstream towards Verdun sur Doubs,
we passed these two fishermen who, not surprisingly, seemed quite happy with
their catch.
NICE ONE
We spent a night at Verdun sur Doubs on our way back up the Saône
and the Capitanerie there was open but in a bit of state due to this aerosol
exploding.
STING IN THE TALE
Fortunately the explosion happened during the lunch break so the only casualties
seemed to be the windows and door. Every window seemed to be blown out or
shattered. So remember to heed the warnings on aerosol cans and don't leave
them in a place where they can get too warm.
SHATTERED
We had a bit of a scare ourselves around this time as the engine decided
to cut out while we were on the river Saône. Luckily we were travelling
with Bob and Ellie (on OSPREY) who expertly threw us a line and towed us while
we investigated the problem. So many thanks Bob and Ellie (a.k.a. International
Rescue).
OSPREY
We had the same problem a few times before pinpointing some sort of blockage
in the fuel tank and remember someone accidentally dropping a short piece
of wood into the tank during manufacture. But we were informed at the time
that it wouldn't rot due to the diesel and supposed that it would always float.
Maybe now the wood has got to a state of suspended animation and sometimes
blocks the end of the pipe. Who knows? But any suggestions would be gratefully
received.
We had a couple of days back in St. Jean de Losne so that provisions could
be replenished. Then it was off up the canal de Bourgogne once again on the
third and last leg of our summer cruise.
We saw Al and Robbie as we were entering the canal and this gave us yet
another opportunity to say our goodbyes to them as they were due to go back
to Australia to start the next leg of their adventurous lives. We have become
very good friends over these last few years and we will miss their company
and very encouraging philosophy on life.
Good luck to you both and let's hope we get the chance to meet again!
This photo was taken by Pamela ….
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
And the next one was taken by Robbie…
A BIENTOT
We had another rendezvous in Dijon, so we couldn't hang around too long
as it takes us two days to get there by canal (just 45 minutes by car)! Pamela's
brother Peter and sister Pat were on their way to the south of France and
Dijon was a good place for a few days break. Pat had been in Dijon a few times
but it was a first for Peter. In fact it was his first trip to see us whilst
we have been afloat.
THE KING FAMILY TRIO IN DIJON
So on to more serious matters and a "guess who this is" competition.
Pamela won hands down (well one hand anyway) with her interpretation of
Billie Piper.
BILLIE PIPER
Gromit was on form too. He wanted everyone to see what he looks like after
a plunge, this particular one being caused by some over excitement while catching
mice. His number so far this season, to our knowledge, is 18 plus one lizard.
WET, WET, WET
Notice how we hang on to him until he has been towelled dry. Normally he
makes for our seats whilst he is still soaking wet!
Further up the canal and we had more visitors from Blighty in the form of
Jill and Bryan. They always bring us some goodies across and this visit was
no exception. Of course Bryan must have thought that the "guess who this
is" competition was still running and we think you will agree that his
Victor Meldrew impression was worthy of at least 2nd place.
JILL, BRYAN AND PAMELA
The autumn colours were coming through on that photo, taken on the first
of October, and here is another one, taken at a jaunty angle.
A SPLASH OF COLOUR
After Jill and Bryan's visit (too short we might add) we moved on to one
of our favourite little ports, Vandenesse en Auxois, which has been photographed
to death in the past. There is nothing much in the way of shops at Vandenesse
so a one and a half hour walk (each way) to a very pretty village called Commarin
was on the cards.
The one thing we found in abundance on our walk was sloe berries and Sloe
Gin was something we were introduced too very soon after arriving in France.
SLOE GIN TIME
Our friends Sylvie and Gerard from St. Jean de Losne never seem to have
time to relax and when we suggested an overnight visit to Lea Crest they thought
it was a fabulous idea. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too kind but we had
a wonderful get together and next time we will clean the camera lens too…
SYLVIE AND GERARD'S DAY OFF
All too soon it was time to head back towards St. Jean de Losne and nestle
down for the winter. But even this short trip (which can be done in a few
days) we intended to take 3 weeks to accomplish. So back to Pont d'Ouche,
which we found very peaceful, where Chez Bryony seemed to be the VNF social
club whenever the lock-keepers had a break. Bryony was very accommodating
and made us very welcome. Let's hope her latest venture of winter mooring
gets off the ground OK.
NB: Bryony took this next picture as she had noticed a lack of me in most
of our pictures.
THE BBQ
What we found amusing this year is that you can't totally "get away
from it all" as they say. We think that the longer you stay in this lifestyle,
the more friends you make and basically you are bound to meet up again sooner
or later on the canal system. For example, our boat was spotted on the canal
by some of our French friends from a motorway viaduct. So they paid us a visit.
Really, it makes you feel all sorts of emotions - no hiding place, being accepted
and of course particularly thankful that we have so many friends.
Many of the lock-keepers have dogs and the one in the next photo was particularly
well groomed
I CAN SMELL A CAT
It was soon mid October but we did manage to get a coat of anti-slip paint
on the main cabin roof. Only just in time though. As you can see in the next
shot, we had a heavy frost that night though it didn't seem as though the
paint suffered in any way.
FROST IN FLEUREY
We are now back in St. Jean de Losne, it's the middle of November and, as
last year, it's like coming home.
Old friends to see again and lots of gossip to catch up on - New friends
to meet and enjoy the winter with.
It's good to be back!
So bye for now from
David, Pamela and (King) Gromit
PS: A couple of friends in the UK unexpectedly sent us lots of poppies for
Rememberance Sunday. That meant we had more than we needed ourselves, so we
sold the surplus in aid of the Poppy Appeal. We raised a grand total of £30
and have donated that sum (via the Internet) to the Poppy Appeal. Thanks to
all concerned!
