contentedsouls

We moved on the 4.5 kms from Chatillon to a lovely wild mooring just short of the 662 metre long Briare aqueduct across the Loire and old canal. With wide towpaths either side of the trough, we had good access (either by foot or bike) into Briare. To get to Briare by car from ‘our’ side, however, you have to go back to Chatillon or onwards another 9 kms before you can cross the Loire.

I am delighted to report that the kilowatt of solar panels now installed on Francoise’ roof (courtesy of ‘deliveries by Kevin’) has revolutionised life on board and we are now able to wild camp with gay abandon and we have had a lovely stay here for the week whilst we’ve waited for life upstream and ‘radio gunwales info’ to sort itself out a bit – the fact that the barge moored in the layby behind us is occupied by a VNF eclusier lady has been rather useful on the information front. The heavy rain continues, but is breaking into sunshine and showers which is altogether better (especially for the solar power) but the only problem with this mooring is that it is in a hay meadow with no path. Every time we step off of the boat we step into wet grass up to our armpits and we all know about Baxter’s opinion on wet grass; he also loves the sun on his tired old bones – his brain is still functioning though, as it didn’t take him long to find a happy solution … gotta love him! Neither G nor I had a dry pair of shoes left on the boat between us by the time we left – despite my efforts with the wax, polish and waterproof spray.

Our nearest neighbours were just delightful, one of the babies thought my jokes were hilarious and they were so curious about the dogs – fortunately Daisy didn’t get involved in the mix – I bet they were chilly having just had their coats harvested.

As for the aqueduct itself, it was pretty special. I think Francoise looks quite majestic cruising across this structure which was opened just 6 years before she was built.

We were planning to leave Tuesday when points north (up as far as the breach) officially re-opened, but then there was a strike so G decided to take the train to Roanne; paid 12 months rent on the garage, checked up on MR and brought the car back to within half a mile of the boat. Our plans were to leave in the morning for Ouzouer-sur-Trezee (try pronouncing that when you’ve had a glass or two) but, at gone 9.30 pm (nearly dark), we were joined at our wilderness mooring by the hotel boat Horizon II who said they had scuttled down here to avoid getting cut off by the rising river Trezee and advised us to stay where we were for a bit longer – more radio gunwales. So we went shopping in the morning; our first decent shop in weeks and we have coffee for our machine, fresh milk for tea and cat litter again – whoopee! We humped as much as we could through the half mile of wet grass and left the heavier, non-perishables, in the car.

We had some interesting visitors – this coypu had 7 babies and this other splendid chap is a, rather unimaginatively named, Bar Headed Goose. We Googled this Goose and it is not meant to be anywhere near Europe, ever! He seemed quite happy, albeit very noisy, with a couple of common or garden ducks for company but he’s not going to find a mate this side of India any time soon.

No case of mistaken identity over this one!