Clamecy and decision time
Posted by contentedsouls on 16/09/2016
We passed two lovely moorings on our way to Clamecy on Saturday, but decided to push on to Clamecy itself. If you’re going into somewhere with lots happening and paying for the privilege, it always makes sense to me to stay somewhere short the night before and then pop in in the morning; that way you get a full day for your money, but we need to get on with things a bit or we’ll get stuck in closures.
We still arrived in time to make a visit to the micro brewery that the lockie had told us about – 4 to 6 was the only time it would be opening during the time we planned to stay there. Having tracked it down it turned out to be a child’s clothes shop!!!!! The owner of said shop explained that the brewery was only open by appointment and wanted to book us in long after we’d planned to leave; no English spoken so the whole experience was somewhat confusing and not likely to attract a great deal of tourist trade. We stopped for a beer on the way back after having a look around the pretty town and met quite a few of our boaty neighbours in the process.
Sunday morning we went up to the car boot in the hope of finding drop leaf tables for Francoise, but to no avail, and then devoured a big fat loaf with (almost) ‘proper’ bacon, eggs tomatoes and mushrooms – following which we decided to postpone Sunday ‘lunch’ until Monday as we were both stuffed. The Mutt and I headed off to follow the old log running route where some of the old locks onto l’Yonne are still in situ.
Monday I set off to do my tour around the rest of the town with my camera, but intermittent rain and cloud didn’t do anything for the pics.
Quite as lovely as I had anticipated although, I know I’m no Debbie, but even I was ready for a bit of retail therapy and, in that respect, it did disappoint. I was, however, able to buy a cucumber and tomatoes! We met some lovely Aussies, Peter and Chris, on a barge called Star of Destiny (rapidly becoming better known as star of Dentistry) who we were able to help out with a bank transfer to the UK.
We trundled off on the Tuesday morning with a hire boat behind and an ex oil rig life raft and stopped at the most glorious little spot of Lucy sur Yonne adjacent to a little park
In the evening the sun turned everything gold; including Daisy
The following day we had a drive out up into the hills to the historical town of Vezelay (another listed on, ‘the most beautiful towns in France’). Inevitably full of tourists and a couple of coaches but still pretty sensational.
Then the icing on the cake before lunch – a little clothes shop selling Italian gear that had a sale on and I left with a pair of linen trousers and a skirt at half price. Retail requirement satisfied and Graham had a French lesson from the proprietor whilst I was rummaging.
Thursday it was onto Mailly le Chateau where we found a delightful mooring with free water, electricity and full re-cycling. Friday we drove up the embranchment to the supermarket at Vermonton and decided to stay put for the weekend.
Saturday morning we raised the thorny old subject of what to do about selling Matilda Rose – we think we should ship her back to the uk and need to get her out of Roanne (before the winter closure on the Roanne Digoin). So Sunday lunch went in the freezer and Sunday afternoon we divvied up the food and beer and G set off on mission ‘retrieve Matilda Rose’.
contentedsouls 
andywindy said
Steady on young lady, that’s 2 Sunday lunches in a row you’ve missed, you’ll be getting withdrawal at this rate (or Graham will at least!).
Thanks for the pictures, damp or not the interesting architecture really shows, though with the state of gentle decline in parts of southern France you can see where the Provence loving Islington set got their Shabby Chic from!
It’s not often you see a Bishop (or Saint) perched that high up a wall on a ledge! I see he has quite a large nose, wonder if that’s a true likeness or a statement about the Catholic Church prying into someones business?
It’s nice to see a pic of you with your hair down for once, it’s a very nice ponytail , just saying… But I am relieved you got a little retail therapy in, won’t be any time for that in the near future.
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contentedsouls said
’tis I getting withdrawals – G cooks Sunday lunch and I, in theory, get to update the blog, take Muttley for a really long walk, kayak or, generally, do what I fancy! He’s been a tad busy though, so I’ll let him off!
My hair is only long enough to ‘let down’ because my French conversation is not up to a visit to the hairdresser.
Sad to see so much decline
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Kevin TOO said
Bonjour plaisanciers,
OK, question time Jill, sorry but do you know why there seems to be photos (mug shots) stuck to the church
wall in Clamecy [P1170302] and also on the shutters, windows & door of the house in Vezelay [P1170496] ?
I hope you remembered to visit the ice cream shop opposite the dress shop… LOL
Oh dear, sorry to hear that you’re going to be ‘home alone’ for a while then whilst Graham goes
off to fetch MR, well at least you won’t starve with all the Sunday lunches in the freezer… 😉
And the photos, in general, are excellent once again (I’m starting to wonder if your camera only takes pictures of sunny, blue & cloudless skies… LOL)
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contentedsouls said
I couldn’t find out Kevin, I asked around but don’t think I made myself understood as I was met with shrugs (I do like a good shrug). Rainy photos this time! I’m going to be home alone again next week – it feels like I’ve been home alone more often than not at the moment!!!
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vallypee said
Lovely post and wonderful photos as always! I see you saw Milda, the life raft! I’m glad to see they’re still going strong! We were moored behind her at the Bassin Rond and were really intrigued to learn the couple (he was Hamish, but I’ve forgotten her name) lived on board. Lovely to see a pic of you! I am rather envious of your shapely legs, dear Jill! Wish I could boast such elegant pins! Hope you are reunited with G now! Xxx
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andywindy said
Val, I wasn’t going to mention those legs, certainly whilst Jills resident Hero was away, but now you mention them… they’re certainly better than mine have ever been!
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Bargemast said
Yes Vally that oïl rig life boat of Hamish is quite something really. Only 7m20 long and less than 3m wide, driven by a 30 Hp Lister and made to have 61 people on her board.
His girlfriends name is Ana, Amish has some wild plans, he wants to go all the way to Russia in the near future.
Peter.
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contentedsouls said
Wow! Really appreciate the stats on this amazing little boat – cannot believe that you could fit 61 people on this tiny craft – amazing
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contentedsouls said
I did like the Bassin Rond Val. He was on his own when we met him. Thank you (and Andy) for the complements on the legs – I have my Mum to thank for the leg genes; walking miles helps maintain them!!
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