7, 2019, June, A quick side trip from Lyon to Avignon.

With Warwick and Sam and a hired car, we headed off to an air bnb in the Centre of Avignon. We wanted to really see the 'Carrieries de Lumieres' and it is not reachable from the boat.. This show was inside an old amazingly huge lime stone quarry and depicted Most of Van Gogh works through his life span.

An absoltuely amazing light show lasting about 50mins.

Afer that with temps around 42-44 degrees we headed off to 'Pont du Gard' for a swim. 

The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct built in 40-60AD.  

It was built to carry water to the baths, fountains and homes of the citizens of Nimes from the springs of the Fountaine d'Eure near Uzes. It used to take 40,000m3 of water 50kms a day to the 50,000 inhabitants of Nimes.

 The aqueduct here stands 160 feet high and the water duct descends a mere 2.5cm over the span, while the whole aqueduct descends only 41 feet in height over its whole length, (50kms) indicative of what the Roman engineers did with simple technology.  

Sam and I trying not to get run over by the hundreds of canoes on the water.

Next day did the tourist thing in the Old City of Avignon, 

Le Palais des Papes.

 It is one of the largest and most important Medival Gothic buildings in Europe. The Papal Court fled Rome and Avignon became the seat of Western Christianity during the 14C, and 7 Popes lived there. Construction started in AD1252, and by the time the palace was finshed it covered 11,000m2 and was enormously expensive,  consuming much of the papacy's income during construction..   

  

And of course the 'Pont d'Avignon', or the 'Saint Benezet Bridge'.

Built in the 12th C but destroyed by floods and made unusable in 1668.

To dance or no to dance???????

😊😕

Max cooling down of an evening.

 A morning delivery to the shop next door to where we were staying. 

Then we returned to Lyon and Kiwi Rose. 

🙌🙌🙌🙌

and a thought for the day!!!!!

5, 2019, June, Pont -de-Vaux to Lyon.

To continue the last blog ,I am persisitant with this new open live writer blog system, but it drives me mad!!!
On the way to Pont-de-Vaux I tried out my new E-bike....., I cycled the 15 kms in no time at all.
Very smooth and I now understand the differnce between the typs of E-Bikes.  On the one hand I like the bike I have bought, which is a pedal assist, so it only works while I pedal (I still have to use my legs😓😉),  BUT I do miss the idea of pressing a button and suddenly going 25 kms/hr.

Sam helping Wok with the ropes.......I think?????

And while I was cycling I came across these guys gutting a HUGE cat fish.  They said this was small compared to one they caught last year which was over 3m. (yeh yeh fishermans stories)

     Now we are on the Saone, we have to don Life jackets at all locks,,, that means the skipper as well.   And Kiwi Rose under full steam.👍👍

As temperatures soared and it got to high 30's everyday we had to find ways to cool off.  Remembering to keep our toes up after seeing that fish.

  

Boys finding shade where-ever for that 5 o'clock beer.. and Wok getting his fingers kissed by a swan.

 Next stop Lyon.

👍👍

2019 June, St Jean de Losne to Pont a Vaux.

Off we set, down the slow moving Saone towards Chalon-sur-Saone. A lovely town we have visited a few times before.

The beautiful flowers at the Port de Plaisance entrance,  and below the lovely square 

with the old half-wooden houses.

 

Out for a night on the town,wine first then a kebab, and Max waiting to go to the toilet while 4 young girls stayed ages inside the bathroom, pruning themselves..  (note the hands on hips!)                                       
Lots of music as it was the fetes des Music but alot of it a bit heavy for us, but the streets were busy with lots out enjoying themselves despite a bit of drizzle..

Bridge at night.

Out for a stroll the next day, and morning tea looked very inviting...

First night of catch-up, Alan and Shelia in Pont-de-Vaux.(Wok & Sam met them last year)            AND the scottish whiskey was flowing well...the next day Max and Wok were definatley a bit slow,,  ( Not that they can blame Alan of course). Alan is a true Scots-man.

 

So the next eve we just had a quiet one, (or two) with Alan & Shelia in the local cafe. 

👀👀👀

SORRY , I can't add any more photos to this blog at present, so will continue on to the next one,,,bugger.

2019, May, St Jean de Losne

Well, finally 'we hope'😃😃😃😃. 
After having our computer wiped of viruses we are still having issues with the blog.......so it will come to you in a diferent format and more frequently as we have to be on line and publish all in one go!!!

Max drove me to Charles de Gualle where he dropped me off to fly back to NZ to visit the girls.  As you can see the new winter tent seemes to hold up well after some snow over the winter.

You can see her bow out from the pontoon.

Max picked up Warwick at the same time from the airport and they spent 2.5 weeks getting the boat ready for the summer.                                                                  

Lots of hard work, cleaning, drinking and socialising,,,,, and 
sussing out the local bars.

Max still waiting to get the new toilet installed. 

Meanwhile back in NZ I had a great time with Emma and Claire, who flew over fron Sydney to join us in New plymouth for her birthday. 

When I came back to the boat, 
Sam flew in at same time and 
Wok met her in Paris to go off to
family for a few days.  

Once I arrived back in St Jean De Losne 
it's all go with the weekly 5pm boaties 
drinks in a local bar.
(mainly Kiwi's with a few brits and oz's thrown in).

A small pontoon party organised By Glen and Trish.. (see Max at the back... goes to show the pontoons can take some weight.

Sam and Wok arrive back and its the tradiditional festival of the Pardon of the Mariners. Its held every year to bless all the mariners, thier families and boats for the coming year.
After high mass at the quay side by the local high priest, and selected dignitaires, the priest blesses all the boats along the quay side. Mariners dress their boats up with bunting and wine and food flows free. Even had 2 huge commercials this year (110m long). 

A very snart looking David Blanquart ( our capatinarie at Blanquarts), who is a senier member of the Brotherhood of Mariners.                                                                                                                             A motley crew enjoying the hot day. 

A lovely night with boaty neighbours Bob, Max, June, Sam, Min, Wok, Bill, Mike and Liz.

Our journey (well best laid plans etc etc) of this year.

St Jean de Losne, down the Rhone to Sete where we will winter at Allemand's.

 The Crew till lyon.