Briare to Sancerre with Ric & Diana.

Finally after a broken down train, Ric and Diana, our neighbours from Riddell Rd finally arrive in Briare from Paris.

Lovely weather, good bike ride around the town, a trip to the supermarket to prove how cheap the wine is, and then out for dinner.

Briare’s 1890’s church built in the Roman-Byzantine style, with a front frieze decorated with enamals ( which Briare is famous for) and the floor totally covered with symbolic designs in tiny mosaic tiles which look like a richly patterned carpet. (Photos don’t do it justice)

Off to show the new crew how its all done. Locks and an aquaduct.

THE NEW LOCKER KEEPER. Monsieur Ricardo Hughes.

And a 4 litre barrel of Amstel.

And full party time on the boat, with a strange man in a striped french top and a Beret!.

Next morning, Thursday, at Belleville-sur-Loire, the sun is blotted out by the steam from the cooling towers of the local nuclear power plant.!!!

On the way towards Sancerre we were collared by a lovely lock keeper who showed us his wine shop by the lock, and of course we had to buy some.

Finally arrived just down river from Sancerre, at Menetreol-sous-Sancerre for the night. Very old 13-15c village with old small houses and still with the old village water pumps around..

Quick walk up into the vines just behind the village.

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And a quick beer on the way back to the boat.

Our last visitors of the summer, Ric and Diana have now left to continue their European trip. Our next visitor will be Emma in November as she comes out to visit us in UK on her way to ski in Japan for the NZ summer.

Ric bought out from NZ Max’s birthday present of an IPAD, which is great except he has now discovered ‘Angry Birds’ and ‘Temple Run’. ( thanks to Bart’s introduction to the  Ipad gaming world !!)  And we will learn how to be more IT savey with all our electronic equipment eventually.!!

Max and I are now going to continue down the Canal lateral a la Loire towards Nevers and Digoin, and then along the Canal du Central towards Chalon-sur-Saone, and on to St-Jean-de-Losne, our winter mooring spot.

We are going back to the UK for a week on the 7th September as we have an Aunts 80th party in Norwich. Afterwards Lucy will work for a week in London while max descends on Yasmin in Chichester to look at job opportunities. Then we have the GOODWOOD REVIVAL WEEKEND after which we will head back to the boat to continue getting her ready for winter.

SANCERRE>

After Ric and Diana left ( please come back) Max and I cycled up the long hill to Sancerre, buggered at the top, but had incredible views. Perched 310m of altitude high, 150m above the Loire River offering views out more than 40kms. In 1152, grandson of William The Conqueror built a fortress on the top of the hill, and it lasted until  the War of Religion in 1573 when after a 8 month siege saw the walls and castle demolished. The old town has retained its medieval character with really narrow streets and charming old old houses, some still from the 15c.

Wine production they say started in 576, and now has 7500acres in 46 villages, in the valleys of the area, growing only Sauvignon-Blanc and Pinor Noir grapes. The region is also very famous for its goat cheese.

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