SUMMER ROLLS ON IN FRANCE

30/6/2009


We have now enjoyed more than 15 days of the greatest summer weather one can imagine with clear blue skies, temp around 30 degrees and a little or no breeze from dawn to about 10.00pm when it would get to be evening but not really dark. We feel we have certainly been blessed.






Our guests, Daphne and Claude Merriott have certainly enjoyed the best of travelling conditions for boating through the canals with us since their arrival in early June. Even though we only travelled a few kilometres, we were just forced to stay in the township of Montargris which is picture postcard perfect and some pictures are included here.

Most of the locks on this particular canal are manual whereby the lock-keeper opens and closes the locks by winding the sluices and gates taking much longer to go through but the actual lock keeper houses and surrounding grounds are so pretty. Some were set with lovely gardens and lawns and even sculptures adorning the grounhds. It was while waiting to get into one of these locks that we saw our first snake swimming alongside the boat. It was over a metre long and beautifully marked, however, I can assure you there was very rapid movement on board to get away from any open doors, etc. Then the very next day we saw another one just leaving the canal to enter the vegetation along the bank of the canal, so we will have to be a bit more alert from now on and keep an eye on Harry too.

You will see some photographs which shows a series of seven locks in steps. These are the Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses which are a site to see. While these particular locks built by Henry IV in 1605 are no longer used they have been kept to show what magnificent engineering took place at that time. There is now a set of 6 locks which still climb the same hill area but they are spaced and easier to use.

Briare, the largest town of the area became a most welcome stopover for us all, however, after unloading the scooter and then the new boarding ramp as we were moored against a sloping bank, when I stepped onto the ramp it slipped off the side of the boat dumping me onto the concrete nibway edge of the canal. After scrambling to an upright position, I soon realised that I was hurting pretty badly and after a trip to the local hospital in Gien x-rays revealed no broken bones, only torn muscles and cartilages, I have a few days of real suffering to get over this accident. I can't recall pain like it ever so I have a new respect for similar victims. Great service and every check was done and all at no charge so that was a nice touch by the local staff. It is only when something like this happens does one realise how vulnerable we are as we get older.

While I stayed aboard to recuperate, Rhonda, Daphne and Claude walked to all the main attractions in Briare including the museums, galleries and viewed many very neat gardens and local sights.

This town is famous for the amount of mosaic work which is used in buildings everywhere and its Pont-Canal built in 15th century. The aquaduct/bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower, is some 662m long and 11.5 m wide and carries boats and barges from the Canal Lateral which simply means alongside the main river and over the Loire. It is quite wonderful to be boating up to 80 metres above this huge river and when you consider it was bombed and destroyed during WWII, it was deemed to be of such importance that it was reconstructed soon afterwards to allow this vital traffic route to operate fully again.

Rhonda's Comment: We did have our photo taken when we did the crossing but I must have lost it in cyberface!!!!!!! (eh Daph)

The flow of traffic across the Pont-Canal is one-way and despite the distance there are no traffic lights or signals so you just look to see if the span is clear and proceed on your way.

However, after a couple of days we decided to push ahead with our journey towards Chatillon-sur-Loire where we found all the berths full apart from one which was approx 22 metres long (remembering that our barge is 21m !!!!!) against the bank among the hire boats. It was a case of grabbing the opportunity to berth or having to move on several kilometres, so I reversed into the spot and boastingly add, it was a perfect berthing despite the sudden down pour and wind which sprang upon us. If you think I am being boastful, you had better believe it and I sure let those on board know how skilful it was. Maybe a bit of a fluke but gee I sure felt good despite the pain of driving with my injuries. Thank goodness Rhonda and Claude were ready to tie off for me.

Rhonda's Comment: Needless to say I am still hearing about it.

At this location we caught up with some of the staff off the hotel boat whom we had got to know some days earlier down the canal and whom were most friendly and offered assistance if required. One of the staff girls, Helen was a Kiwi from Wellington and she took a liking to Harry, so it was nice to talk with her and for harry to get so excited each time we all met up.

A family on the hire boat moored in front of us took off yesterday for their much anticipated boating holiday only to return about half an hour later and it unfolded that the son (10 years of age) fell while on board and broke his arm very badly, so an ambulance was called and he was carted off to hospital for plastering, etc. So much for their summer holiday, however, he returned today and away they went. Just shows how easy it is to have thos accidents at any time.

While this area is no different to lots of other French towns as far as business closures is concerned, it really hits home when you see whole streets where there are no operting shops or retailers left so you can imagine how it compounds on the home occupancy levels as well with so many properties boarded up.

Having now arrived in the famous Loire Valley district, the home of so many outstanding Chateaux with their beautiful grounds and supporting landscapes and famous wines, it is sad that we have to say goodbye to Daphne and Claude who are returning back to NZ via London. For those who have met Daphne or heard us talk of her culinary skills, will appreciate my need to get onto a diet to remove a few unwanted kilos added since she joined us on board. We will carry out the maintenance schedule required and refesh the odd paint chip and scrape along the hull while the opportunity exists.

As it is the high season of summer, there are lots of evening outdoor concerts planned for the next few weeks, so we may get to see some great spectaculars as the 14 July is Bastille Day (the biggest celebration day on the French calendar) and everyone gets out and adds to the fun and happenings. Though I don't think I will be doing too much dancing as the pain is still a bit niggly.

7/7/09