Down the ‘Canal lateral a la Loire’ towards Nevers.

Before we left Sancerre we left a hat in a Local cafe with the proprietor who has collected hats for years,,,, but then our NZ friends, Rob and Sue Cooper come though and what happens??????   

Left Sancerre and headed down to moor at La Chapelle-Montlinard and took a short cycle ride across the Loire river to La Charite-sur-Loire..

La Charite-sur-Loire used to be an extremely busy port on the Loire when the river was navigable. Now it houses the remains and restored lovely 13c Abby, former Priory and The Bascilique Notre-Dame, which is one of the most remarkable example of Romanesque architecture in Burgundy.

In the 13c it was the largest church in France after the Abby 5of Cluny, accommodating 5000 people.

Next stop Beffes, where we caught up again with good friends Aileen and Graham ( Snells Beach) and new friends Shelia and Alan ( Scotland, now France).

A good night, starting with the drinks, followed by the good old BBQ.

It was the night (13th August) when Bill assured us we were meant to be able to see a huge meteorite shower.

To be honest we did see some and it was quite exciting, but having to stay up so late didn’t boad well as we all started to fall asleep!!  but what a fun night.

Next morning farewelling  Aileen and Graham, and sister Sue as they head up stream towards Briare.

Given a hot tip from Aileen about a lovely village to visit, only a 5km a cycle ride from Le Guetin outside Nevers. Apremont-sur-Allier.  The amazing floral gardens, and the village which used to provide plenty of good ashlars (large square cut stones) from the numerous quarries and were shipped in flat bottomed boats down the river Allier for use in the construction of religious edifices on Orleans etc.

 

Takes hedge clipping to a whole new level !!!!!! 

Then we hit The Castle of Apremont and the the Museum.

Then we set off over the aquaduct, from Le Guetin across The Loire River again towards Nevers. The entrance to the aquaduct is via 2 consecutive locks going up 9.23m. Even the lock doors are decorated with flowers.

And down the embranchment into Nevers.

                                                              

And an example on  HOW NOT  to hold 2 ropes from your boat on your own,,,,luckily a nice slow rising lock….but you can imagine a rough lock!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (entertaining though!!)

But it takes all sorts…….

Briare on to Sancerre.

Max’s birthday happened… Bill and Min come for dinner…

Briare is a really pretty town with two marinas’/ports but unfortunately due to our draft we had to stay out in the commercial port…which was absolutely fine by us.

Left Briare after a stay of over a week in 35-38 degrees weather. Max got very well looked after by Min and Bill while I was away for a few days,, He was fed and watered every night and headed back to Kiwi Rose on his bike. (We met up again with a lovely Scottish couple along the way this year, Shelia and Alan….he is taking photo.)

And Min’s proof he could still get on his bike at the end of the night.

 

Before we left Briare we had a really fun night with a chance meeting of old friends and new, Heather & Kent, Americans,  (from 3 years ago) and friends of theirs, Alex and Deb. It was a great impromtu night.

And the Girls showing off their pearl bracelets courtesy of Jan Caddey.

Formal picture

the next

morning !!!!!!

Lucy’s brother Billy and partner Pippa arrived and travelled with us for a few days to Sancerre., we set off from Briare, nice cooler weather and cross the aquaduct.   Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it spans the wide and slow moving Loire rive by 662metres, and is 11.5m wide.

Max did a little cycle trip from our next stop to suss out the nuclear power plan near by,,,, and he didn’t come back glowing.

After being cocky with our green ping pong ball on top of a fishing rod, we still managed to get well and truly stuck under a bridge,,,couldn’t go back or forward as one of the canopy bars was wedged in the bridge……..so a few rips and tears, but ..its only canvas and can be mended.. Lucy has done a patch up job for now and we will get it sorted later.

Celebrating Pippas Birthday..

Having a day stop to sort out the boat, visitors gone and to start mending the canopy,    Max dragged me cycling up the hills to Visit the town on Sancerre.  The vineyards cover an area o f 6900 acres over many villages along the Loire Valley. There are writings that state the vines were around as far back as 582.

 

 

Next to our mooring at Menetreol-sous-Sancerrel , The Hotel/bar/resturant, Le Floroine were we have eaten before,and ate for Pippas’ birthday. The husband and wife team have collected hats for years and yet another one was donated…..

  Till next time…

And quote of the blog today, courtesy of Alan,