It seemed strange to be again travelling the Canal de Bourgogne, and we had forgotten about some of the most beautiful scenery, particularly above Dijon where the steep hillsides were covered with forests of mixed trees.
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| Beautiful hills of Bourgogne |
As we had a timetable to follow we didnt want to linger too long, and so we sweltered some days, (the highest temperature reached was 49.7C) having to travel with no shade other than umbrellas, as the bridges were too low and too often for us to make use of the bimini. Tashi was the coolest one of us with her special 'Cool Coat'!!! We had to make do with lots of glasses of iced water, and constantly putting our head under the shower.
It was with much relief that we reached the river Saone and stopped for a few days to recover at St. Jean de Losne.
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| Quay side mooring at St Jean de Losne |
And so after resting and completing all those vital 'last minute jobs' we said a sad farewell to SJdL and set off on our journey of the great rivers.
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| 'Goodbye St Jean de Losne' |
And so onto the river Saone. We again stopped overnight at the picturesque town of Seurre, and then on to precarious wooden pontoon at Gergy. Our next stop was at the entrance of the disused lock of Gigny, where delicious aromas of Boeuf Bourgogne or Oeufs en Meurette wafted past from the nearby restaurant but we resisted the temptation!
Our next stop was Tournus where we met up with family, and spent a few days exploring the town.
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| Tournus, Reflections |
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| Tournus mooring below the Abbaye. |
From here we made the short journey up to Pont de Vaux, but will never go there again. The narrow channel up to the marina was chocked with weeds, as was the port itself, causing our water intake to block along with the bow thruster!
Next stop was the Port de Plaisance at Macon. What a contrast. We have never been in such a well organised port. Such a shame they don't offer winter mooring, but only visits or yearly contracts. The city has so many facilities and good walks.
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| Macon, la Maison de Bois |
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| Macon marina. |
The quay was full at Trevoux but a kindly restaurant owner let us moor overnight on the pontoon below his premises. We managed to walk into town despite the scorching sun, and wandered around taking in the breathtaking views from the heights.
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| Trevoux, view of the Saone from the hill top, and we thought we were big!!! |
What can we say about Lyon apart from 'WOW'. So much to see, so little time - and money. The marina has a large shopping mall at the far end, and river boats to ferry people up to the old town with its many museums and historic buildings. One of the main attractins being the Basilica and taking the funicular railway from the river to the hill top.
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| Lyon, Basilica |
We waited a few days for the weather to cool down, the hottest day being 43.1C! before we moved on to Vienne. We arrived at the weekend just as the town was gearing up for a re-enactment of Knights Templars, but we did take the opportunity to stroll around and see some of the Roman ruins.
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| Vienne, not quite sure that the modern art sculpture added anything to the remains of the colesium! |
Next stop St Vallier.
At Tournon we found the water level too low for us in the 'marina', so with agreement from the Tourist Office we moored for the night on the opposite bank at Tain l'Hermitage on the passenger boat pontoon.
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| Tain l'Hermitage. |
We were sitting quietly here having an evening tipple, when a group of people hesitantly began to come down the gangway towards us. 'Oh heck' we thought, 'they think we're a trip boat'. But no they sent the smallest child to ask if they could come onto the pontoon and have their photographs taken. So, much to their delight, we invited them onboard, and amid much squelling and laughter ours and their photos were taken. It transpired they were now living in France having come from Albania.
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| Tain l'Hermitage, statue of Charles V and Jeanne de Bourbon outside the Notre Dame. |
