The Hewitts barging in France 2010

Whilst Briare is a lovely port, it is a bit expensive for a long stay, so after dropping Bram at the station we headed off for the short trip to Ouzouere sur Trezee. We arrived shortly after lunch and it was lovely to find Andrew and Jenny on Jef already moored there - so of course a good excuse for a drink that night!

The next day Randy and Debbie came up for coffee and took me back to Briare to collect the car.

As we have Van and Mark joining us in a week or so we decided to stay here until they arrived. We then did a trip to Montargis booking stops at Rogny and Chattilon.

Randy and Debbie decided to join us at Ouzouere so we went down to Briare to see them come across the historic aquaduct.

The weather wasn't too good with lots of rain. So a good excuse for drinks and dinners aboard each others boats. We did a few side trips, fetching Randy's car, off to Gien for Lunch and to see the pottery factory, a vist to Emmaus (not a patch on Roanne).

On the 26th we picked up Van and Mark fom Briare station. The weather had improved a bit, so we all got together for drinks and snacks at the picnic table under the trees - ah lovely!

The next day we took them to Sancerre, and had a wander round the village whilst they visited the museum, and after a nice lunch we returned home, for drinks under the trees again.

The next morning we set off for Rogny de Sept Ecluses, stopping at a silo quay for lunch along the way. We were delighted when we arrived in port to find a notice on the quay -"Reserved for Affleur D'O - a rare occurence! Rogny is famous for an original set of 7 locks built in the 17 century, replaced in the 19th century with 2 larger locks.

Van after the obligatory visit to the Patisserie

The next morning we headed up to Chattilon Coligny, to find yet another reserved sign! We stayed for 2 nights, mainly enjoying the pretty little town, with a very ordinary meal out at a local restaurant.

They even nibbled at Vans toes!

On the Sunday - our departure day - there was a huge Vide Grenier in town. We spent a couple of hours wandering around before heading off for Montargis at 10.30.

Van in charge - excellent concentration!

Montargis is a very pretty town, called the Venice of France as it is criss crossed by little canals and 147 bridges all decorated with flowers.

The next day we went for a drive and had a look at the ports north of Montargis - Cepoy was closed for repair, and Souppes was a very scruffy port. So we decided to book ourselves into Montargis for a month as it is an excellent base for visiting Paris, Fontainbleu and the surrounding areas.

On Mark and Vans last night they kindly took us to a lovely michelin star restaurant, La Glorie. You can certainly tell the difference between this and our normal humble fare! So after Champagne on deck we headed off for our sumptuous feast!

The next morning we dropped them off at the station, and came back on board and did 4 loads of washing! We made the most of the weather hanging it in the sunshine as the forecast was for rain over the coming days. It was quite right and we have been having a quiet time hiding from the weather, with the odd outing and exploring the town between downpours.

On the Sunday Courres les Barres had the Fete du Pain. They opened up an old wood fired bake house on the side of the canal and sold hand made bread, served lunch and had some market stalls.

So after a lovely stay we headed north for a quick stop at Maseilles les Aubigny - a large basin but quite crowded. That evening there was a concert at the cafe by the port. Frances and Nellie drove up and we munched on Pizza, drank Rose and in general had a lovely time listening to the music.

The next morning we headed north to Herr, for the night, before continuing to Menetreol.

When we arrived the port was full, so we rafted on Andrew and Nikkies lovely English barge. As the port emptied the next day we moved onto the quay. I managed to get a lift to the railway station and headed back to collect the car from Decize.

We did a bit of touring visiting the large town of Bourges, and on the weekend some large Vide greniers around Cosne. Menetreols main claim to fame is it is very close to Sancerre, which produces some of France's best white wine. We had a lovely trip there with Peter and Jean, visited the museum of wine, had lunch and of course had a tasting and returned with some bottles! Then off to Lere.

Lere is a lovely little port alongside a silo. It offers free electricity and water, so was an ideal spot for a stay. We started off alongside the silo, which was in full swing with tractors and trucks arriving every few minutes. Whilst quite interesting it was very noisy and dusty. As boats left we pulled ourselves back until we had a lovely mooring at the end of the port. We moved our chairs under the trees next to a picnic table - a perfect spot! It is a lovely spot with very pretty views over the fields - even though you can see the nuclear power station.

Lere - view of nuclear power station at Bellville

Being such a lovely spot (and free!) we decided to wait here for our friends Randy and Debbie to catch us up on their barge Alouette. It will be lovely to be travelling with them again, Also as Bram will be joining us soon we though it would be an interesting cruise for him from here to Briare.

On the Saturday night there was a fete and Feu de Artifice (fireworks) in the port. We had dinner ashore as they had a huge buufet and dance floor - typical french buffet - sausage and chips or pork and chips, and of course a bottle of Rose. We had a wonderful spot as the fireworks were set off on the bank opposite - they stopped all other boats coming in but seemed to forget about us who were already there. Just before the show started an official came over (about 11 pm) and suggested we move! I got out the hose and connected it and they seemed happy with this so we sat on deck and enjoyed the show!

We visited a huge vide grenier at Beauleau on the Sunday. On the monday we drove to Auxerre - we moored here last year as it is where the canal du Nivernais starts. Our friends Brad and Nancy on Libellule were moored there so we popped in to say hello and had a lovely lunch with them.

The next Saturday Debbie and Randy arrived to join us at Lere. Already in Port were 2 other barges, including Jef with Jenny and Andrew 2.It was the first time for ages that so many big barges were together in one Port, we had become used to being surrounded by small cruisers and hire boats.

Alouette entering Lere

Debbie at the ready

Of course this necessitated snacks and wine on the picnic table in the port and shared dinners.

I drove Randy back to collect his car - it will make life much easier to shuttle cars with two vehicles. Before we left Lere, we dropped our car at Briare and Randy brought me back.

On the 11th July we drove up to Braire to pick up Bram who is travelling in Europe for a few weeks and joined us for a few days. He soon settled into the idea of barging!

The next day we headed off to Beauleau. We had to get going as the canals close for Bastille day on the 14th, and we want to be in Briare for fireworks on the night of the 13th. Bram and Andrew headed into the village to the Patissier for afternoon tea, and a pleasant dinner on board with Bram enjoying Mum cooking him has favourite meals!