St Jean de Losne and packing up.

We have had an amazing summer, SUCH good weather, Paris for 3 weeks, travelling with friends, friends visiting, and meeting up with old friends back at home base.

Now settling into St Jean de Losne, but first a quick trip back to Maasbracht in Holland to pick up the car. Caught up with Faye Stainton, visiting her son’s place in Epernay.

And a quick visit past Max’s uncles grave,(last visited in 2012) in a tiny village outside Riems, where he (pilot) and his crew are buried after his Lancaster bomber was shot down in 1943.

Quick diversion on way back via Auxerre to catch up with Aileen and Graham (looks who is wearing the same shirts,, totally by accident!!!)

And side trip to visit Alan and Shelia.

 

Of course, finally after being chased by Rob and Sue Cooper (ChCh) all the way down the canal from Paris, we finally catch up.  Drinks on their boat, and next night off to the bar, where Sue and I make a friend and have an awesome ride around town.

Bit of disaster on the marina next to us, an owner deciding to drill in the ‘petrol’ tank and caused a huge explosion, with multiple boats damaged from flying glass and the intense heat. Even though we were separated by a small island and 100m of water, our boat felt like it had been blasted from next door.

Luckily the man walked away with second degree burns to arms and face (as far as we know).

Then the big building project of our new modified winter tent. Decided that we didn’t want to keep taking down the windscreen glass each time we made a bigger frame and new insert of canvas…..

So all packed up, lived under the tent for 2 nights, and had a last lunch meal out that has to be then best value on France we have ever had…..5 courses and 250mls of wine for 13 euros… Ronnie, Trish, Tony and Kay, John and Michelle, and Dawn.

So its au revoir to all our old and new friends made though boating until next year.

And on the way back, the obligatory stop at Calais Wine Superstore before boarding the ferry.

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So back on UK soil at the beginning of October, to cooler weather, the promise of a cold winter and work!!!

BUT we are already looking and planning next years trip down the Rhone to Sete and the new joys of Southern France.

Chagny to St Jean de Losne.

Lovely decorated lock sides on the way to CHAGNEY.  Here we wait for Claire to arrive from England for a couple of days.

Met for a quick beer in               the village square with            Bruce and Janine (NZ)             who we have been bumping        into for the last few weeks.

A quick cycle ride back to the Village of Santenay to visit the Chateau but unfortunately the wrong time for a quick wine tour.                                                        Loved the sculptures in the gardens though…

Claire arrives in Chagney 

Now leaving the canals and joining the     River Saone, heading first for                 Chalon-sur-Saone, then St Jean de Losne.

A Huge 29m lock with drop gates….luckily it has floating bollards..

CHALON-sur-SAONE.  Lovely town which we first enjoyed back in 2012..Garden at entrance to the Port de Plaisance. Photography was invented by a native of Chalon-sur-Saone, Joseph Nicephore Niepce.  Hence photography is displayed in the flower gardens.

A lovely night out with Claire, cocktails then a meal..yum,yum.

Chalon has some lovely old wooden houses dating back to the 15-18th C.

Saying a double goodbye to Claire.. Next time we see her it will be in Sydney as she has returned to live in the city she loves.  

     Before we could leave Chalon-sur-Saone we had to wait for a floating Island to          pass us by. And eventually be towed away….but where???????

And we say goodbye to Bruce and Janine…before we finally set off on the home leg to St Jean de Losne.