The first blog .of 2009 - a bit late as internet sites in rural France are few and far between - besides we have been very busy having fun
We arrived back in Baye where we wintered our boat Deerste this year. We met up with sister Liz at Paris CDG Airport after a very good but uneventful flight with Korean Air – up there with Cathay and Singapore airlines.
A simple train and bus trip and we where at the tiny marina in the middle of the beautiful French country side.. Unlike last year, all was in order. A couple of days were required to get the boat systems up and running and to do some shopping for the run down the Nivernaise canal to Decize. It was great to be be back on board.
Deerste in the harbour at Baye.
Leaving Baye and heading for the first lock
Spring and lots of wild flowers – Lynda's bit to make the boat feel more homely
Lizzy was off on the bike along the cycle track – Deerste coming out of a tripple lock
Lizzy still on the bike. Coming into Chatillon-en-Bazois under a beautiful 300 yo bridge.
Then into a lock beside a wonderful old chateau. We stayed in this town for a couple of days right beside the chateau but it was privately owned and we could not visit it. A nice little town with a good market selling local vegs, fruit, cheeses other goodies.
Many of the locks are hundreds of years old and still have the original mechanism for operating the gates. These can sometimes take quite an effort to get working.
French breakfast. An early morning trip to the boulagere (baker) for baguettes, croissants and often something very naughty for morning tea. The selection of breads, pastries and other delights, even in the smallest village make it very hard to show self control.
Trust all is well with folks at home - love to hear from you - I & L
