Home in Roanne

It was lovely to be back "home" in Roanne.  After a bit of mucking about moving boats we ended up in our old spot and started to settle in. We had scurried back down to be back in time to attend the annual port welcome party in the capitainerie. After a few glasses of wine we feasted on Paella, and the Dave gave us a few songs on his guitar.

It was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.  To our surprise Chris and Andy on Edwina Rose, who we had last seen when we were on the midi are now Roanne residents.

The weaving museum at Bussere had a special exhibition of hand flocking ribbon (sables). They had brought a group of ladies up from Arle who are the last masters of this craft.  Dressed in traditional costume they demonstrated this intricate work.

The museum also features weaving machines from the early days to modern computerised ones which they demonstrated to us.

Then back to the normal social whirl - drinks in the bar on Thursday nights, plus many visits to and from other boats for drinks cards and dinner.