After returning from Roanne we were on the Canal lateral a la Loire for 2 days and passed some really pretty lock houses and mansions alondside the canal.
as there were only a few locks and we had time to do things along the way instead of just locking. Of course we always have time for a beer or wine or cup of tea, but I mean serious stuff like tidying the boat. Organising clothes can be a major job as I have lost count of how many times I put away the warm clothes under the bed only to take them out when the rain or thunderstorms appear.It can be really cold in the morning and hot by late afternoon. Kevin keeps busy checking the boat and motor is OK, this year so far, everything is going well.
A typical day is to have a shower and then breakfast about 7.30am with a fresh baguette if we are in a village with a boulangerie. We start making our way to the first lock of the day in time for the lock keepers start time of 9am. If the locks are close together then it is a very busy time until they stop for lunch between 12 and 1pm. If it is a day when we are travelling and just looking at the scenery we will continue until about 5pm and find a place for the night alongside the canal.
Locking keeps us both busy, I am in charge of the ropes to attach the boat and after driving in Kevin helps the lock keeper wind the lock gates closed.
Sometimes we are heading for a particular town to sightsee, then we will stay until lunchtime next day then start off at 1pm or spend a couple of days there. Many of the towns and villages have a mooring area with bollards to tie up and rubbish bins. Some have water and electricity for a small charge, it is also possibble to moor at the hire boat marinas along the way.
If there are any restaurants nearby they usually have a sign directing the way or they may be along the canal with tie up bollards. Along the way other boatees tell us where it is good or where to stay away from.
Sometimes we just happen along the way to find a really interesting place we havn't heard of before or the canal chart books mention somewhere away from the canal we can ride to.
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