No intention of moving yesterday and G set off for a 17k bike ride (about 5k of it cross country – sooo good for him). By the time he got back it was time for an exploratory walk into the village with the boys. The ubiquitous patisserie was there (good to go for croissants and baguettes in the morning then), a tiny little fair setting up and a small bar.

Popped into small bar (rude not too, Lesley Yarwood and Sue NP) for a beer and, having had no brekkie, couldn’t resist their fixed price, 5 course meal, including a bottle of wine for £10 each

gg

Having stuffed ourselves stupid we went home and slept it off under the shade of the trees and then went out on the kayak when it was a bit cooler in the evening. We are close to a junction – River Meuse continues to the left and the Canal Ardennes to the right and I wanted to find somewhere nice for Daisy, the dogs and me (in that order) while G goes back to the UK to see the family – even his sister Linda is over from Australia. Sadly, the price you pay for the daily love of your animals means that I cannot go with him. UK hotels are not great on 2 dogs and a cat (and nor is our budget!).
Now I’ve always understood the blokey fascination for a garden shed – this ‘river’ shed ticks ALL my boxes, can’t you just see yourself down there with a bbq or a picnic, a bit of nice music or a good book – bottle of wine at your side?
But I did find this rather nice little mooring and stopped on the kayak to speak to an English person (very few and far between) who had been here for 20 years running a self-catering holiday boat (he’s the crew; the itinerary is his) the shopping and cooking is done by his guests. Thought I might go for the ride whilst G in the UK but shorts, black socks and sandals soooo doesn’t do it for me!
I was under strict instructions to report back on these moorings including satellite direction (no satellite where we were moored). Pleased to report back that there was satellite potential, free mooring, free water and rubbish/recycling disposal (that conversation conducted entirely in French – very proud).
Before I could finish that report (around 7pm) he was pulling pins and gangplanks and heading for the TV and footie!
As I pulled in to moor in front of the Dutch Barge,(a bit of parallel parking required between the barge and the Dutch yacht) the ‘nice’ Englishman came out to take G’s rope and then promptly started giving me instructions on how to moor! Bloody men, (for once) I executed a perfect manouevre without his help grrr….
Who needs two bossy men.
Today we took the car into Charleville and I bought a pretty dress (the first I’ve bought in 20 odd years – France is having a strange effect on me – more opportunities to wear nice things away from greasy lock paddles and muddy, thorny towpwaths) although the shops closed before I could find shoes (lunch is pretty much from 12 – 3).
Stopped at the supermarket on the way home (amazingly open at lunchtime) and bought 5 litres of red wine at a pound a litre – very quaffable and stocked up on cheeses.
We guzzled a few glasses of wine, ate the crevettes, scoffed the Brie and washed it down with creme caramel and mousse au chocolat. We’ll not be having supper and I can’t, now, get into my pretty new dress!
Oh well, tomorrow’s another day.