Boating on the French Canals: Lynda's turn to give a woman's perspective blog:

1)Can you see the drool? Framboise ( raspberries) are my weakness over here. When the season hits I can be seen to make the most of it.

Ian is having his gastronomic delight. Talking to the Bouchere and selecting his particular cut of meat. It is often a case of what we can afford over here. Each piece is carefully selected, lovingly wrapped and given very particular individual attention. Nothing is too much troujble for the French Butcher.

The Canal Lateral -a -la -Loire- the 2^nd largest canal bridge in France, which takes boats over the Loire River. This was a commercial barge on it's final voyage taking Durham wheat to a nearby port. No longer commercially viable, the boat has developed engine failure on it's last voyage. The skill of the husband and wife team handling this 38 meter barge, is impressive.

The wonderful gardens of Apresmond-sur-Allier, near the canal bridge. These gardens were designed by Gilles de Brissac, the son of a rich industrialistsand started in 1970. He collected many rare plants and flowers, all carefully laid out and designed into this superb garden. It sits on a hill overlooking the Allier River in an old village originally inhabited by carriagemakers and mariners.The village was reconstructed by Eugene Sneider and his architect in 1930 .They brought it back to it's original condition in the medieval style.the village is a showpiece of gardens and quaint french village life.

Ian, Lizzie and Lynda enjoy a sumtuous lunch in the old Laverie Restaurant at Apresmond after a tour of the gardens.

6)Another Restaurant! This one beside the Canal Lateral-a la- Loire at lunch time. Ian and lizzie were treated to Calf's head and I had the local saucisse alternative which turned out to be cow's intestines and offal enclosed in a sausage skin. 3-4 courses with a glass of wine ,all for about A$20.00. Delicious.

Charity – sur -Loire, yet another beautiful village along the Loire River.

8)Don (a USA friend who we first met with Laura his wife last year), John (from Ousson-sur Loire), another Ozzie who lives locally and Ian, enjoying at picnic at Rogney. In Rogney an old series of 7 locks has been replaced by a new series of locks.

The same day outside of Cris and Heather's house. We met them on their boat at Nevers. John took us to visit them at their house in a small French village where they have settled after leaving England.