Roanne, Chateau de la Roche, Marcigny, France

Chateau de la Roche

We have driven to Roanne before, but this was our first time cruising there on Rabelo.  We didn't have enough time there to properly explore the city.  We will definitely return for another visit.  There were permanent residents that we would enjoy spending more time getting to know.  The Port Captain had a little side business selling wine.  His messy, crowded, tiny office filled with boxes, books, and a bicycle was too warm for properly storing wine.  We took a chance and bought a couple of his Rose's at 6 euro a bottle.  We liked it well enough to return for a few more bottles.  It was fine for drinking at lunch, outside on the deck, seated under the umbrella, on a hot day.  That is exactly what we did.  

Normally we pick up our guests at a train station near where we are moored.  With the train strikes going on all summer we recommended that people rent a car and drive to us.  This time it turned out to be a challenge.  Eventually Tom found Jerry and Arlene so they could follow him back to the boat in Roanne.  This was their 6th visit in 5 years.  We had a slower paced trip this time.  With the weather as hot as it was, running around trying to see new sights was challenging.

Welcoming Jerry and Arlene with a few appetizers and champagne.

It's a treat having lunch on deck while cruising.  We had magnificent blue skies with a few fluffy clouds, surrounded by lush green foliage.

Enjoying lunch on deck drinking Rose wine (except for Tom who doesn't drink and drive).

Lunch of cold cucumber soup, smoked salmon on baguettes, melon and a nice chilled rose from the port captain.

The earliest written records of the Chateau de la Roche date from 1260.  It was built on a rocky platform overlooking the Loire river from a height of 30 meters.  The fortress allowed a watch to be kept and tolls to be collected for the County of Forez.  The building suffered floods from the Loire more often than attacks from enemies.  In 1996 it was fully restored.  Unfortunately it has been affected by floodwater in 2003 and 2008.

Chateau de la Roche in the background

Chateau de la Roche from another direction.

It's always a treat when we can walk along a canal.

This canal had a current of 1.5 mph.  When we were trying to go against the current it was challenging when we were traveling at a speed of 4-5 knots.

We found this charming slug on one of our walks.

The lock was on one side of the tow path and the river on the other side.

There was an old bridge crossing the canal on one of our morning walks.

We entered a very deep lock.

Another meal on deck

Fig and tomato salad

Duck with balsamic sauce and sweet potatoes 

We drove to Ville de Marcigny to view the Abbaye de Charlieu built in 1769.

These are the remains of the fortifications that joined the Abbaye.

It's hard to believe Rabelo fits into this lock.  Well, we barely fit.

The Little Dutch Boy doesn't have enough fingers to plug all the leaks in this lock.

The view exiting a lock

Jerry, Arlene and Tom enjoying the sights as we cruised along the Canal Roanne a Digoin.

And then it was time to say au revoir to Jerry and Arlene...until the next time.

Briennone, France

Early morning view of the church and Gite from across the canal.

Detail of the typical Burgundian tile roof.

Charming looking Gite next to the church.

The interior of the church was unusual

Another detail of the church interior.

We don't normally see such ornate church interiors.

Don't they look sweet.

We had beautiful walks along the canal.

Moss and weeds growing in the canal.

We saw this colorful character fishing along the canal.

During the week I cook every meal.  I haven't learned the art of "take out" or "prepared" foods.  When the weekend comes I'm ready for a night out with my honey.  Sometimes the meals are romantic and extra special.  Other times I'm just happy not to be cooking and cleaning up afterwards.  This particular evening turned out to be a wonderful surprise as well as a treat.  We drove further than expected to find Le Petit Prince Restaurant in a tiny village.  Every course was amazing as well as a work of art.  Afterwards, the owner proudly showed us his old and new wine cellars under the restaurant.

Flavorful little bites to tease the palette 

My main course with lobster

Tom's dish was equally beautiful

Desserts were imaginative, visually attractive and delicious as well.

My sweetheart with a homemade lollipop 

The cellar path was lined with wine corks.  

 After such a romantic and special meal it's all downhill.  Still, I didn't have to market, cook or clean up afterwards.

This is what happens from too much spaghetti.

Many of you who know me are aware that I love shooting and used to compete.  On one of our walks we found a shooting range.  I wish I could have joined them for a round or two.

I didn't know shooting ranges existed in France.

New style wine bottle holders.  A better use for all those stiletto's sitting in in the back of women's closets.

Cruising from Montceau-les-Mines to Roanne, France

Standing on the deck of Rabelo looking downriver, as we cruise the Canal du Centre that crosses over the Loire River.

Early morning walks are magical.  The air is crisp, the feeling peaceful, and it seems that the world is just waking up with you.  Tying up in Dignoine was a treat.  We went to sleep listening to the cows mooing in the fields just next to the canal.  As we passed from daylight into evening we watched as the clouds lit up in vibrant pinks reflecting on the canal.  There were lights shining on the chateau in the distance making it glow in the advancing dark.  When we embarked on our early morning walk the mist was rising off the grey-green pastures.  We were up early because the roosters were making such a din before the sun came up. 

We had hoped to take some of our friends to visit the Digoine Chateau, but discovered limited visiting hours on weekends only.  If you are ever in the area, check the hours and if you have the opportunity take their tour.

Digoine Chateau

View from our mooring looking up at the Digoine Chateau.

Early evening pink clouds reflecting in the canal.

Peaceful morning on the Canal du Centre.

Mists rising over the fields with the Charolais cows calmly eating their breakfast. 

Charolaise cows contentedly grazing.

We didn't have the heart to tell these beauties that we might meet up again one day for dinner. 

Digoine Chateau...another angle.

 The Pont Canal (bridge) was built between 1834-1838 allowing barges to cross over the Loire River. It is 243 meters long.

Rabelo crossing over the Loire River.

Captain Nathalie with me on Rabelo as we cross over the Loire River looking upstream.

                                      

Barging can provide excitement in many forms.  We pushed hard cruising from Montceau Les Mines to Roanne.  That meant putting in 3 very long days and cruising for a total of 5 days.  We covered a distance of 67.5 miles in that time.  We managed to go aground a few times.  How can that happen you might wonder?  After all, we've spent enough time cruising that we would know what we are doing.  But there are extenuating circumstances...sometimes.  1)  The water can be too shallow in areas.  2)  The driver may get distracted (or not be paying close attention), or 3) In the process of moving over to avoid touching another barge, we get caught in the shallows.  No matter how it happens getting stuck isn't a good thing.  Sometimes the VNF (the organization responsible for keeping the canals in working condition) miss maintaining a few areas.  Here the vegetation needed taming.  Some of you may remember the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.  We encountered our own jungle.

Rabelo struggling through the jungle encroaching on our waterway.

It's a jungle out there.

 There are all types of locks throughout Europe.  France has a variety of styles of locks that come in different lengths, widths, and depths.  They are also in various states of repair.

Entering this lock was like trying to maneuver up a raging river.

This lock was extremely deep with a tremendous amount of water leaking through the lock doors.  Our deck was awash with water.

With locks this deep we can't reach the bollard to tie up.  The lock keeper drops a rope with a hook which we put our line through.  They can then pull our line up and hopefully safely tie us up.

It's a tight fit in these locks.

Nathalie tried her hand at cooking a Reblechon Tart with handmade crust.  It was delicious!