Chapter four
Things have been busy here in the land of Oz what
with deck building, Shingle removing from the
cottage, kayaking, etc., etc. Any way here's the
next adventure
Today should be the 10th of July. After
tea Judy walked over to the Abbey on the off
chance things had changed. Na Da So after a walk
up to the next lock and asking the lock keeper if
we could continue our journey we moved off at
10:30. We moved through the next eight locks in
a mixture of sun and rain. At Crugey we decided
to moor for the evening and have dinner out.
While attempting to moor a rain squall turned up
and Candy had to take shelter under the trees
while Luther and Judy stood on the deck while the
captain made a nifty manoeuvre by letting the
wind push the boat backwares and try again.
Success on the next attempt and after tying the
boat to a handy tree the wind and rain stopped
and we moored for the night. The local restaurant
would be open for dinner at 7:30 and so we
arrived at 7:45. We were shown to our table by
the bar keeper who was also the host, waiter,
chef, bus boy, head dish washer and the owner.
When we walked into the dinning room the kitchen
was to our left and the lights were off. After
taking our order for aperitifs the gentleman went
into the kitchen turned on the lights, the stove,
went to the bar, brought our drinks, went back to
the bar to serve the locals and then returned to
take our orders. I had Escargots and the frogs
legs. I don't remember what the rest of the crowd
had and I don't care. ;-}.
The next day we moved up five locks so we
could visit Chateauneuf. Arriving just above the
lock nearest the road up to the chateau the
weather looked threatening but we decided to walk
up come rain or come shine. The village is old
and has four restaurants, a church, a couple of
antiquey shops and the chateau. After a look
around and a crepe lunch which was not very good
it was back to the boat. In the late afternoon
Luther and I were standing at the bridge just
ahead of the boat having a smoke when a man rode
up and crossed the bridge on a very large
stallion riding bareback with a beer in his hand.
The horse was huge and the rider must have been
at least 6 foot 6 or 7 inchs tall. During our
brief conversation we found out he was a local
farmer, trail ride guide and the captain of the
bateau mouche that travelled between Vandenesse
and Pouilly en Auxois just up the canal from us.
The conversation ended when the stallion decided
it was time to go home. That evening we had a
beautiful sunset and the sunlight on the chateau
was magnificent.
Thursday the 12th of July. Moved up to
Vandenesse, took on water and moored near the
lock. Today was packing day for Candy and Luther
so after lunch I decied to take the bike and ride
to the nearest Shoppi for bread and lettuce.
According to the navicarte the shop was about 5
km up the canal and on the main road to Pouilly.
A very interesting ride along the tunnel and
along the two lane D18 to the shop. Riding a
bike in France is very different then here in the
U.S. I must have had three lorries and five cars
behind me but no one tried to pass until it was
safe for them and for me. While in the Shoppi
Judy phoned and ask me to pick up a chicken for
her dinner and Luther asked for cigarettes. The
nearest tobac was in Pouilly about three more km
from the shop. Arriving in Pouilly I noticed
banners and signs welcoming the Tour DE France to
the Cote-D'OR . It seems the tour was coming
through on Friday the 13th Returning to the boat
my 12 km ride had turned into a 16 km ride and I
was informed that we would have to be in the lock
and on our way to Pouilly by 9:15 on Friday.
After calling to arrange a taxi for Candy and
Luther and phoning the next owner who was joining
us to be there by 8:30. We dressed for Candys
birthday dinner and went to a very good French
eatery. ;-}
The next morning Bob and wife Sue ( in
her wheel chair) and Harvey the dog showed up at
8 and Candy and Luther got off the boat and the
new hot water heater and various bits and bobs
were loaded and we were off. A funny hing
happened while we were loading up. A taxi
arrived, Luther says " Montbard" yes O.K
bags aboard, good byes said and away they go. As
we are casting off the taxi returns, unloads the
bags and Candy and Luther turns around and
crosses over the bridge and picks up another
couple from the hotel boat that was moored across
the canal. Ha, Ha, Luther is getting pissed now
and so we go into the lock and leave them sitting
on their bags. By the time we get to the top of
the lock they are gone so everything turned out
O.K.
Eight locks up a beautiful stretch of
canal we arrive at the tunnel and while we wait
for two boats to clear we are told we can not
moor in the basin because tonight is fireworks
night tomorrow being Bastille day. After mooring
near the basin we quickly walked and wheel our
way up to the D970 and at a roundabout stood for
15 minutes and then watched the Tour ride pass
us. Two minutes later we and about 200 others
left the road. We went shopping for vitals
because everything would be closed on Bastille
day and then back to the boat to await the
evenings entertainment. The show began with a
brass band on a farm wagon and at 11:30 the
fireworks began. All over by midnight and all was
quiet on the western front by 12:15. No drunks,
no rowdy kids just peace and quiet.
This was the end of our two weeks of
canaling with Candy and Luther and the beginning
of our one week the Turks and the dog, Harvey ;-}
Totals for the two weeks
196 KM
88 locks
15 days total
About 750 litres of water bailed.
Toodle pip
Stan and Judy
Third week coming up
--
Judy & Stan Voets, POB 103, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Tel: 415.488.0985
You may never know what results come from your action,
But if you do nothing, there will be no results - Gandhi
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