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.

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.

.

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.