In summer 2017 we repeated the route of our cruise of 2013, but this time travelling anti-clockwise because ascending and descending in the opposite direction would give us a totally different perspective.
It was already very hot in Burgundy so Glen decided it was time to buy a 'proper' panama hat. The hat shop next to Galeries Lafayette in Dijon looked to be the perfect place to find what was wanted.
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| There was plenty of choice |
It's well worth going into this shop if ever you are in Dijon it's quite amazing.
For some unexplained reason this spring, our marina became totally clogged up with weed. The frogs were able to sit on the surface outside our bedroom window, keeping us, and the rest of the marina awake all night. But the local supermarket made a killing on the sale of earplugs.
June joined us before we left and cruised with us for a couple of weeks.
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| Great to catch up again |
Canal du Centre
Once again it was great to see many families cycling the towpaths.
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| Could be a child, dog or just luggage in the trailer! |
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| Slo-Mo moored in Blanzy |
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| Pete the rope wrangler |
We're always happy when we're on the move - it keeps us fit!
Discovered a lovely mooring at Palinges. A walk into the village revealed this rather uninspiring building which housed a brilliant little museum - the World War I exhibits were particularly touching.
Discovered a lovely mooring at Palinges. A walk into the village revealed this rather uninspiring building which housed a brilliant little museum - the World War I exhibits were particularly touching.
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We stayed quite a while in Paray-le-Monial, one of our favourite places, because it was too hot to travel and we needed electric to run our air-con. But it was no hardship because the basilica is beautiful and the narrow streets in the medieval town offer welcome shade.
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| Paray le Monial |
We particularly enjoy the mix of original and modern artwork in the basilica.
We were lucky enough to find a shady mooring behind a floating restaurant.
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| You never know who's going to turn up outside your window |
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| The new hat |
Helen and Steve joined us at Digoin for a couple of days. Lovely to see them both.
Canal Lateral à la Loire
Onward to Decize - a very friendly marina and a good restaurant
The marina had a very high tech solution to their weed problem...
Canal du Nivernais
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| Chatillon en Bazois |
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| Chitry-les-Mines |
Steak and chips and a bottle of chablis at the marina snack bar in Chitry-les-Mines hit the spot at the end of a hot day's cruising.
That evening this interesting little craft moored behind us.
That evening this interesting little craft moored behind us.
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| This has to be backpacking on water |
A Navette ran from the marina to nearby Corbigny - a very pretty town.
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| Unusual public loos complete with bell tower |
All too soon we reached the end of the Canal du Nivernais at Auxerre and moored alongside the very pleasant public park.
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| Lock onto the River Yonne at Auxerre with city in the distance |
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| View of Auxerre at night from the marina |
River Yonne
Nick and Val joined us at Auxerre. We spent a couple of days enjoying this lovely town before travelling along the Yonne to join the Canal de BourgogneCanal de Bourgogne
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| Need any help Pete? |
Tonnerre - last time we stayed here it lived up to its English translation "thunder" - we experienced a huge thunderstorm and a number of trees in the park area beside the moorings, were struck down. Fortunately the weather was much kinder this time and we were all able to explore and enjoy the town.
One of the oldest and largest hospital monuments of medieval France is the Hotel-Dieu, founded by Marguerite de Bourgogne. It is largely empty but the scale of the building is overwhelming.
There are a number of 'treasures' here but not obviously displayed and take some searching out ... This quite beautiful sculpture of the Entombment of Christ is tucked away in a small room down some stone stairs.
One of the oldest and largest hospital monuments of medieval France is the Hotel-Dieu, founded by Marguerite de Bourgogne. It is largely empty but the scale of the building is overwhelming.
There are a number of 'treasures' here but not obviously displayed and take some searching out ... This quite beautiful sculpture of the Entombment of Christ is tucked away in a small room down some stone stairs.
Whilst Glen and Val were on the culture trail, Nick and Pete were on the wine trail.
Château at Ancy-le-Franc
Another unpublicised 'treasure' discovered in the small faience museum in Ancy was a sculpture exhibition which featured this beautiful tightrope walker piece.
Another unpublicised 'treasure' discovered in the small faience museum in Ancy was a sculpture exhibition which featured this beautiful tightrope walker piece.
A pleasant day trip to medieval Noyers - apparently the most beautiful village in France (there may well be other villages who will contest this).
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| hmmm |
it's that hat again...
Medieval street art...
When Nick and Val left we cruised on towards the summit of the canal.
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| Ravières sunset |
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| Ravières to Buffon |
We spent a quiet afternoon moored at Buffon Forges and took the opportunity this trip to look around properly.
At Montbard Chris and Jac came by train to join us for lunch (and try out Glen's hat!) Lovely to catch up with them both.
At the summit,Pouilly-en-Auxois
We had planned to do some painting on this trip. At Pouilly, for the first time the weather and the quayside were perfect.
Our cream and black roof used 8 rolls of masking tape and several days work but looks smart once more.
It wasn't all painting - Helen and Steve came to stay for a couple of days so that we could visit the nearby Morvan Forest and the Musée de la Résistance. Although we've all heard of the French Resistance, these exhibits and true stories made it very personal and moving.
Leaving Pouilly to pass through the 3.3km tunnel.
Our descent seemed to go very quickly but lovely countryside.
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| Pont d'Ouche |
Lunchtime stop at Velars-sur-Ouche
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| Bar-headed geese at Dijon |
And finally back to Saint Jean-de-Losne where we moored alongside Helen and Steve for a few days and took advantage of some settled weather to complete our boat painting.
