Thank goodness everything on the boat was dry and the slightly opened windows had kept the air flowing and there wasn’t any mildew inside. We had been worried as the shipyard had been put up for sale following one of the partners having a stroke. The boats had been craned back onto the canal on March 15 and Courlis looked very lonely way quite a way down the canal.
Now we headed off on a journey by car to visit friends in France and to see the Chateaux in the Loire Valley. Kevin is getting very proficient driving on the right hand side of the road. What a lovely time we had visiting Marion and Roger in Fontenoy Le Chateauu, a beautiful town on the Canal de Vosges.We had a fantatic view from our bedroom window.
Marion prepared Duck a la Orange and the next night a lovely lamb roast. We called in to St Jean de Losne which is like a home to us as we wintered here twice and visited each year by boat or car. We spoke to Annie and Paul who were on their barge with a charter with American guests.
We traveled through the wine area in the Loire. The vines of Sancerre made a great sight from the town on the top of the hill.It was early spring and the shoots were just stating to grow. We had some very tasty Pouilly Fume from the area.
Then it was onto Chantal and Claude,s home where we stayed the night. A great time was had by us all frequently using the dictionary when we didn’t know the French or English word.Our bedroom had a lovely old 4 poster bed.
We visited the Brisson Chateau which had a demonstration of old machines which hurled rocks used for attacking chateau walls.
Sully sur Loire Chateau is surrounded by a large moat connected to the river and extensive gardens. It is always difficult getting photos of them as they are so large.
The tapestries in the chateau were beautiful.
The chateau in Gian is a huge hunting museum. I have never seen so many trophies of animals before.
On the way to Orleans we called in for MacDonalds as I wanted to use the internet to find a motel. We had something to eat and the burger I had must have been made a long time as I ended up with food poisoning. Kevin nursed me all night with the hospital address ready to put into Tom Tom. The next morning I improved and we decide to head back to the boat.
It had been very cold in April but May saw the start of sunny days. The next few days were spent stocking up the boat while we had the car. We returned the car without a dent after 2200k. The GPS is invaluable in finding places in cities especially when a road is only one way. Many times Samantha had to recalculate but we always arrived at our destination.
We started the cleaning and paintingwhich was a little harder than if we were on hardstand as planned. Thankfully the weather stayed sunny. We fitted in time for dinner - al fresco style with Bill who was back at Pont a Bar with his barge Sullis. Note the garden surroundings.
This morning the 11th we left Pont a Bar with Courlis looking spick and span in her new coat of paint and the fenders cleaned and replaced. Thankfully locking was easy as we were going down the Meuse and made good time. There aren’t many boats travelling yet and we were always in the locks by ourselves.
The girls rang for Mothers day, it was great to talk with them all and find out what was going on at home. It seems the Eagles and Dockers are going through a bad patch, Underbelly has been taped for Kevin, everyone had been out for a nice vietnamese meal which we miss over here. Kevin is also yearning for a meat pie and although the French food is great it is difficult to get a quick meal of fish and chips down at the local shop if one does not feel like cooking.
Tomorrow we will spend the day in Givet, then it is over the border and into Belgium.
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