The Sun is Lost

FRIDAY 31 MAY

Pouilly en Auxois

" The sun is lost!"

I've just been to pay for a further three nights here at Pouilly-en-Auxois and when I asked the lovely girl in the Port Office, what has happened to the sun, she replied "it is lost".

Funky moped and the Harley Davidson Panniers!

We stayed a day at Fleury. After realising that there were no shops for some days ahead, we cycled back to Velars and stocked up with provisions to see us through - we wouldn't want to become skellingtons!

This part of the canal is known as Burgundian Switzerland

we can understand why - even in the rain, it is lovely

After a day of grey skies and drizzle, we moored at Ecluse 34 on the following evening. It's a pretty spot with an outside eating area for the use of boaters and water and electric available, so a very tempting stopping place. It was cold, windy and wet, so although we were pleased to recharge our batteries and top up our water tank, we did not have the opportunity to enjoy the rather delightful facilities.

many pretty cottages alongside this canal

Chateauneuf from the canal

our mooring ropes were an ideal resting place for the swallows

After stopping briefly at Pont d'Ouche, Vandenesse and Escommes, without any real, lasting change in the weather, we spent our first sunny morning in ages, transiting a 3.5 k tunnel.

Tea rooms in Vandenesse

Coot chicks on an island at Escommes - but they wouldn't stay there!

approach to the tunnel

We arrived at the other side in bright sunshine to find people in shorts, doing sunny day things, washing clothes and boats, cycling to the shops, talking in groups on the quayside, it was like arriving in another world. And it was great to see Grant and Sue off Chocolat and Pete (and Jack) off Rook - felt a bit like a St. JdeL reunion.

That afternoon, we enjoyed an impromptu boules match with the other crews, which was an extremely pleasant way to while away the first sunny afternoon for a long time. 

(thanks for the photo Teresa)

It didn't last! The days since Monday have been a mix of dry mornings and wet afternoons. Have managed to wash and dry most of our laundry, explore the local shops and wash off one side of the boat, but it is still cool and grey. 

dusk - Pouilly en Auxois

We returned to Saint-Jean de Losne yesterday to pick up our car and enjoyed catching up with Paul and Mal on Lazy Heron and were treated to lunch with Helen and Steve from The Jubilant. We can only hope that in June the sun will be found again...

Room with a view