Heading home

After a lovely relaxing month we headed south on our way home.As the weeks went by we noticed less and less boats passing, the locks north of Montargis up to the Seine are being automated this year and long closures were expected and this was certainly reflected somewhat in the ebb and flow of boats, but still there were many fewer on the water than when we where here last in 2011. Finally came the 1st of September, time for us to start the return journey.  We did a little cruise and arrived at Montbuoy, a very small village, but a good bread shop. We lounged about on the grassy area next to the quay. All was looking great..  However, as with the rest of our season, there was a problem ahead. This time a wall falling in on one of the flight of six locks with  at Rogny, and it will take a week to fix. We were delighted with Montbouy so settled back down. A little amusement was provided one day with a party of 4 Americans who had set off from their cruise ship that morning, arranging to be picked up at a rural mooring....no map, no phones, no money...no idea really.  We supplied lots of iced water, kind words and a way of contacting the mother ship. They provided us with lots of laughs. and the following day tastings of a really special Kentucky Burbon and some scrummy chocs from Mazet.

Happily ensconced on the quay, shady tree...tick. Sunshine....tick.  All good....tick.

This very pretty cottage came complete with 6 Silky Terriers,2 cats, and a great veggie garden.

With the backup of boats, the next port at Chatillon Coligny is full, so we will stay at Montbouy until someone leaves. Doug and Sutsan are there with another Roanne boat, Duck Story. We have just heard from Doug that Duck story will leave on Thursday, so we will head down first thing in the morning.Clear run, not another boat in sight.

We arrived in Chatillon-Coligny at. lunchtime and tied onto the wall. About 30 minutes later Duck Story left and we pulled into her spot. This town was already old when the canals were built. The 12th century |Chateau was at once stage surrounded by moats and the town has grown up around the waterways, today you get just glimpses of these waterways now they are in the centre of the town.   As the weather was lovely we had drinks on the quay that night...and enjoyed the starry, starry skies. Next day was market day and the centre of the town was bustling with all kinds of fresh and local products, as well as the now inevitable 'African' stall selling reggae products from the West Indies...not to mention the South American alpaca garments and wooden musical instruments. Tiny town in the heart of France...no way, the rest of the world comes on market day. As we were exhausted by the splendours of the marketplace we treated ourselves to a bistro lunch...4 courses, plus wine and coffee...sure thing....and the cost, the reliable budget pleasing 12 euros each...read this and weep Melbournites....lol.

After a few happys days at Chatillon Coligny came the good news. The lock at Rogny was repaired and the canal hed reopened.... we headed South. We stopped overnight at Dainmarie, a very quiet little port, on route to Ouzouere Sur Treze. ...a quick walk up the hill into the town revealed....nothing, no where to spend a euro except at the post office that opens two days a week....and yet the good people of this town provide a beautifully fitted little Port with free power and water , night lighting, everything a happy bargee needs....we thank them indeed.

The next morning we started one of our best days cruising ever. There are 12 locks between Rogny and OZT.  We arrived at the first lock exactly at 9.  We were met by the lock keeper who whizzed us through the first 6 locks by 10.10! ...this readers is a miracle of the finest order...a rare and wonderful event. We said farewell to our fav.lockeeper as he had to turn the locks around for a large cruise ship which we met in the top pound...an open area of water , usually between a set of up and down locks...providing room for boats to moor overnight if they can't 'do' the locks before closing, or perhaps to turn a big barge around, not always easy on the narrow canals.

We then proceed to the 'down' locks...these are automatic for descending boats [you can put the ropes on the bollards yourself].  But the day got even better, as we approached the 2nd 'down' lock  a trusty duo of matelots appeared to help us, locals may recognize the unmissable profiles of Nico and Ianne. A quick dash downstairs and I was able to provide Nico with a suitable hat.

Nico and Ianne had heard we were on our way and had ridden up to meet us, and see us safely home.  We had heard that the port was nearly full, however just before we arrived a boat left leaving a lovely spot between Doug and Sutsan and Nico and Ianne. So after a flat out run to the last lock we arrived at 12 just before the locks closed. Sutsan even made up a reserved sign for us.

It was great to catch up with everyone with drinks and snacks aboard Affleur'D'O...as usual we sorted out all the problems of the world.  As the weather forecast was not too good we decided to head off the next day and head for Beaulieu, where I can get the bus and train back to Montargis to collect the car - even if it was an early start with the 7am bus!

From Beaulieu we headed down to Lere, where Nico and Ianne very kindly drove my car down - then walked back to Beaulieu! We had a lovely few days there including outings to Vide Greniers, and the lovely old town of Bourges with Doug and Sutsan.

After an overnight stop at Herry, our next stop was the lovely new port at Beffes with Doug and Sutsan. This was only opened this year.

Carpe Diem rafted on us until a space came free round the corner in the afternoon

Another hard day on the canals!

We had a lovely surprise in Beffes. Our friends Frances and Nellie, stopped by for a visit and kindly took us back to their home for a scrumptious dinner. It was lovely to catch up with them.

Then onto Cours les Barre.  Doug and Sutsan had guests who arrived by car and they very kindly drove back and brought mine down from Lere. We decided to leave the car here until we got back to Roanne.

After a lovely few days in Cours les Barre and Fleury we headed into one of the Roanne boaters favorite ports at Beaulon.

While we were there a number of old friends appeared on their way back to Roanne, plus some boats that are heading there for the first time. After a lovely week at Beaulon we headed south, with a night stop at Diou. This is a lovely little port, so we headed of for another Brasserie lunch with Doug and Sutsan.  No wonder food in France is so good - here is the lunch menu for the primary school!

And this is for the little kids!

Then onto Digoin to visit the supermarket, and down to Melay for a few days. Peter and Jane from Tokoloshe, who are now moored on the midi came up to Roane for the day and then drove up and spent the night with us in Melay. After drinks with Doug and Sutsan, Nico and Ianne we had a lovely dinner on board. It was  great to catch up with them.

Arriving at Melay

Nico and Ianne arrive a few days later

Then off back home to Roanne.  The port is much busier this year with lots of new boats. This is really good as hopefully it will become profitable! Good for us all.