Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: December 2016

Dinner at my favorite restaurant William Frachot in the Chapeau Rouge Hotel in Dijon.

I warn you not to look at these pictures if you are hungry. October was the Burgundy Tasting Menu which included Snails, Frogs Legs, Egg in Red Wine, Beef Burgundy, Blackberries in Meringue and a Gingerbread Soufflé. These were all delicacies made famous from Burgundy. I'm giving you the English translation so there is no question as to what we dined on that evening.

A little starter to tickle the taste buds.

The brioche is so good I must contain myself and eat only one.

The chief's version of escargot (snails) with mushrooms now in season.

Egg in red wine sauce

I was wondering how I was going to find room for the Beef Burgundy course which is normally a hearty meal in itself. The chief brilliantly deconstructed the dish and served a small amount but amazingly tasty.

Beef Burgundy which melted in my mouth.

This is France, and the cheeses from Burgundy are incredible. After so many courses (not all shown) how will we find room for the cheese course?

The Chapeau Rouge cheese selection some of which I hadn't sampled before.

A few new cheeses plus some old favorites.

Blackberries with Meringue...a unique presentation.

Tom had the Gingerbread Souffle

I can't wait to return next spring for another delicious meal at Restaurant William Frachot in Chapeau Rouge Hotel.

Things didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked this year. From losing our wonderful captain shortly after the season started, to the pilot house breaking down, and finally losing our electronic gear shift so we couldn't move the boat...it was difficult. I almost forgot that the boiler (which heats the boat) decided to give up. And it was getting cold! (Fortunately, our air-conditioning system has a reverse cycle which works well to heat the boat so long as the outside temperature doesn't go below 40 degrees F. And that's exactly how low it was at night.) In spite of these setbacks we still had a great time.

Being stranded on the Burgundy Canal between St Jean de Losne and Dijon, Tom made the executive decision to rig up a pulley system whereby he could give directions to Nathalie who became our gear shifter. It wasn't easy but we made it to Dijon. Under perfect weather conditions maneuvering our 130 foot 200 tonne boat is challenging. Unfortunately this was when the weather decided to throw us another curve ball and it became very windy. At least if we were going to be stuck for a few weeks waiting for repairs, being in Dijon would mean we had access to food, and a lovely town to hang out in.

Nathalie as our Top Gear.

The system of lines and pulley's from the transmission to the wheel house so we could get to Dijon. It's looking like our crew kept the engine room clean, neat and tidy.

When guests visit us on Rabelo we normally have a plan. We like to give them the experience of cruising, walking along the beautiful canals, and then do some sightseeing by car. We all know about the best laid plans. Unfortunately our friends Ilana and Tom arrived during this time of limited heat on Rabelo, a rather chilly month, and no way to go cruising. We decided they should see some of Dijon which is a wonderful city to explore.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon was founded in 1787 during the Age of Enlightenment. It is known for its collections related to the Dukes of Burgundy and is located in their former palace. I love viewing the tombs of Philippe le Hardi (Bold), Jean sans Peur (John the Fearless) and Margaret of Bavaria with their mourners.

Beautiful tomb with the intricately carved mourners below.

Detail of the mourners.

One of two exquisite gothic style gilded altarpieces from the 14th century. They were used to tell the bible stories to the citizens. They were made in three sections and designed to be closed.