WINTER MOORING

Well, we're here! 

Snug as a bug in a rug, we've sadly reached the end of our cruising for this year.

We came off the canal onto the big river Saône after a wonderful descent from Langres, with some spectacular scenery and some brilliant overnight stopping places. Once on the river, the horizons widened and we enjoyed the big open spaces again.

River Saone, Auxonne in the distance

We stopped a night at Pontailler-sur-Saône, where we met up with Frank again. We found an avenue of horse chestnut trees and conkers galore - took the opportunity to replace our conker supplies (spider deterrent). If they fail it will be chemical warfare….

Then on to Auxonne and into the new Port Royal for a couple of nights. The weather was still good and we enjoyed exploring the town and walking along the riverside. Napoleon started his studies here as an artillery officer - his teacher thought he showed some promise…

Then - once more in company with Frank on River Holme - down to St-Jean-de-Losne. Mooring on the steps was full but we were able to moor alongside Frank until some hire boats moved off after lunch. The next day Frank continued south to his winter mooring. We have really enjoyed his company and hope we'll meet up again next year - somewhere.

Thursday we enjoyed lunch with Barb and Derek who had travelled south from Luxembourg to find us and had managed to park their motorhome near the marina. Lovely to catch up with their news and travels. The last time we had seen them was at the jazz festival in Upton. 

Then Thursday afternoon, Les arrived from the south of France to spend a week with us. Excitement late that evening when we heard a deep engine noise and a searchlight was playing over us. It was the biggest boat we had encountered so far - a big River holiday Cruiser - probably 100 bedrooms came in to moor ahead of us. We were thankful we had a boat between us and them! Next morning the passengers boarded a fleet of coaches and were whisked off - who knows where? 

Big neighbour

The forecast was not good for the weekend and the following week, so we decided with Les to enjoy the sunshine on Friday and take a trip up river before taking up our winter berth in the H20 marina and then to do day trips with him in his car to Dijon, Beaune and Dole and Arbois. 

Dole

Arbois

We enjoyed a great week together, lots of laughter, lots of food and 3 days of 'joint birthday fun' as Les and Glen's birthdays are only 4 days apart - a good excuse for extended celebrations.

We've been made really welcome here at St Jean. Jan and Joe off C pontoon made sure we felt at home and told us to listen to Radio Gare d'Eau every morning to find out what was happening each day - and there's plenty going on…. We've already taken advantage of the book swop (upstairs in the Museum of Barging) and Saturday night enjoyed a get together to meet with the fellow live-aboard community here (otherwise known as the River Rats).

Making new friends

Sunday it rained all day and we've decided Autumn has well and truly arrived. Time to stow away the summer clothes and fish out the winter warms. We ordered 2cubic metres of logs yesterday which will arrive on Wednesday and tonight have lit the stove for the first time using the remnants of Nick's logs which we brought with us. It's now over 25 degrees inside and have had to open the door!

First fire of winter