Back in Saint Jean-de-Losne

We left the friendly port of Decize and locked onto the Canal latéral à la Loire heading for Digoin.

We enjoyed a couple of secluded (and free) overnight stops  before arriving at Paray-le-Monial on the Canal du Centre. The basilica there is really lovely - a miniature version of Cluny, but it also combines seamlessly some beautiful modern ironwork and stained glass.

Joli Roger was moored ahead of us and we took the opportunity to catch up with Chris and Jac and of course,  Roger the dog.

A couple of wet days and a quiet overnight at Génélard, then onto Montceau-les-Mines where we were able to secure a pontoon in the port. Stayed  couple of days, taking advantage of the shops and waiting for the rain to clear. 

Stormy skies in Monceau

Montceau is trying very hard to soften its recent industrial history and become more tourist friendly, but we did think the use of baby pink and blue paint on the bridges was going just a bit too far….

An overnight stop at St Julien-sur-Dheune then onto St-Léger-sur-Dheune - very pretty and sunshine too - so a good place to catch up on washing. 

You never know what you're going to see from the window

The landscape had changed again and we were glad to be back in wine regions with the vine covered hillsides. Our next stop was Chagny where a white duck had decided he really did want to be a pet and made a terrific noise if he wasn't petted often enough. 

Needless to say, our budget did not stretch to dining at the Maison Lameloise a 3 star michelin restaurant.

A quiet mooring at Rully and a long walk to buy local wine….

spoilt for choice….

Then onto Fragnes - a great mooring with a Boulangerie, hairdresser, a very helpful port captain and a great (affordable) restaurant. We ordered some local wine from the capitainerie - which was duly delivered to our boat later that evening by the supplier (his day job was an anaethetist at the hospital in Chalon-sur-Sâone!). Steve and Helen drove down to see us at Fragnes and we enjoyed a great meal at the restaurant and catching-up with all their news.

Through the guillotine lock onto the river Sâone - an overnight in Verdun-sur-le-Doubs, then onto Seurre before entering the canal de Bourgogne at Saint Jean-de-Losne - a full circle!

Verdun-sur-le-Doubs

We felt that we had come into the marina and our winter berth a bit early last year, so playing it safe and not wanting to risk the river flowing too fast as a result of heavy rainfall, we planned to cruise up the Bourgogne maybe as far as Pont d'Ouche for 2-3 weeks. However we first enjoyed a wonderful evening with some very good friends and also a train journey back to Decize to collect the car.

The weather wasn't great and we had also managed to pick up a lot of weed which had immobilised our bow-thruster, so when we arrived in Dijon, were directed to a finger pontoon with free water and electric, it wasn't a hard decision to decide to stay put for a couple of weeks. The port is walking distance from the town and we had a wonderful time being tourists, using the trams, visiting the fabulous market and really being able to discover the town at our leisure.

Market entertainment

Botanical Gardens

Zena was flying out for Half term week at the end of October, so with the weather turning cooler it was back to our winter berth in Saint Jean-de-Losne to repair a couple of leaking ventilators, order logs and generally prepare for winter.

Having advised Zena to bring warm clothes, it turned out to be a lovely sunny week! We were able to visit Dole and Dijon a couple of times and enjoy some leisurely walks along the river and canal. A great week - she took the last but one Ryanair flight out of Dole. That service is so convenient - fingers crossed it continues next year.

Darcy Parc

We are now looking forward to meeting up with old friends in SJDL, and of course meeting new ones.

à bientôt