Low Bridge, Everybody Down: Barging in Europe: June 2017

Tom wanted to know whether the fence was electrified. We didn't have Marty to test it for us.

We bought honey and fresh eggs from a lock keeper.

The lock keeper raises all sorts of birds.

The lock keeper cut some heads of lettuce for us.

Chateauneuf in the background. Philippe handling the lines as we went through the lock.

During our walks we see all types of curtains.

Old farm tools displayed as art.

There was a large display of farm tools.

Not only were there tools displayed along the canal, but the house exterior walls were covered with tools.

The front of the house had interesting bric a brac.

Along the fence more tools were used as sculptures.

Instead of an ordinary bollard, someone decided a ladybug design would add some color.

I mentioned in an earlier post that there were two restaurants a short walk from where we were tied up in Vandenesse-en-Auxois. At one restaurant you simply ate what was being served that day. Had I looked more carefully at the menu I would have seen that the dessert was something I won't eat (coconut was in it). Fortunately, Tom managed to eat both desserts.

This restaurant by the canal is popular with everyone, from local workers taking a lunch break to a busload of tourists who filled the whole back room. As you can see, we don't always eat fancy meals. Simple and homemade can be wonderful.

Not a bad price for a 4 course meal. Voila!

This cheese platter makes the rounds. When one table has finished, the waitress lifts it up and places it on the next table.

It's a shame I don't eat coconut. This looked homemade.

Mommy keeps a close eye on her babies.

We found a different road to walk up to Chateauneuf. From every angle it is dramatic.

On the road to the chateau we found an old bath house.

This artist was having a one man show. I'm pleased with the two paintings we purchased. I like the feel of his work.

Rabelo tied up in Vandenesse-en-Auxois with a great view and plenty of shade in the afternoon. I could have spent the whole summer there. There was water when we needed it, restaurants close by, markets within a reasonable driving distance, towns for sightseeing if we so choose, but no boulangerie close by. We had to make at least one sacrifice.

This horse drawn carriage with another horseback rider following, was on the tow path.

It appears that there are diseased plane trees in areas besides the Canal-du-Midi. The "X" means the tree is diseased and must be removed. We saw numerous stumps on our walk. The canals won't be as beautiful and peaceful without the trees to offer shade as well as a home for the many birds and wildlife that need the shelter.

There was what appeared to be a children's fish and science faire. There were tanks with live fish and many happy children fishing around the small pond.

View during our morning walk along the Burgundy Canal.

It is important for cows to have salt licks. Lactating cows need salt to make milk. If cows don't get enough salt they suffer from a loss of appetite and weight.

At every lock there is a flow of water released through the lock doors. With the constant movement of water through the canals there is no odor and the waterways remain healthy.

This was a new sight for us. The overpass was being raised!!!

This was a serious tree house!

Bright shutters created a cheerful feeling.

These little houses provide shelter for the lock keepers while they wait for the next barge to come through.

We are loving our time in the Ouche Valley hanging out on the Burgundy Canal. I've told Tom that we could spend the whole summer tied up in Vandenesse and I would be happy. We go on nice walks, see friends both new and old, and the choice of great restaurants within driving distance is excellent. As it is we can walk to two restaurants, each about 3-5 minutes from where we are tied up. One drawback is that we must drive to get our daily baguette. We can suffer with that. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and shortly we must return Rabelo to St Jean de Losne so we can cruise the Baltic States on the Regent Seven Seas with family and friends.

Lock 59 is adorned with gnomes

A talented artist found a wonderful canvas for displaying their art

Philippe found an audience of children to speak with.

Spring flowers along the canal set off the vibrant greens in the distance

The tow paths are popular for bicyclists

The local kids hang out and cool off in the river that runs along side the canal

There are duck ramps along the canal.

We returned to the Abbaye de la Bussiere for dinner in their Michelin starred dining room. The meal was amazing. I won't bore you with all the delicious courses they served us. Three of us had the Signature du Chef meal. It makes sense to do that instead of ordering a la carte. There were at least three courses of desserts. All were beautiful.

A nice little start to tickle our taste buds

Green asparagus with Morvan bacon, herbs and mustard sabayon

Catfish hand caught in the river Saone, roasted in frothy butter, corn mousse from Bresse and grapefruit

Tom had the traditional grilled beef in red wine and onion sauce which was part of the Signature du Chief

They were nice enough to change the beef to rack of lamb for me. Perfectly prepared

The cheese selection was extensive

Our friends Carol and Michael. Not only did we try various local restaurants together, but they dined on Rabelo and then Carol cooked an amazing meal for us on the barge they had chartered. We never ran out of things to talk about. They were fun people to visit with.

A corner of the dining room at Abbaye de la Bussiere

I normally prepare 2-3 meals a day 5-6 days a week. Eventually I say enough, I need a night off. Tom is always willing to oblige. It has been a few years since we had last eaten at Sainte-Sabine and I was anxious to return for another great meal. It was during a heat wave and in France air-conditioning is not the norm. Fortunately for us, I was late in making reservations so they asked if we would mind eating in the dungeon. With those thick stone walls we were thrilled.

Sainte Sabine Church

Sainte Sabine courtyard

While the local french diners were enjoying an aperitif in the blazing sun outside, we contented ourselves with starting our evening in the bar where it was cooler.

You can see why we were happy in the dungeon.

We are always toting some sort of camera on our walks as we never know what we will find.

Someone was clever in their use of garden pots.

This is what we found on a street corner.

Not all villages have a boulangerie any more. The tradition seems to unfortunately be dying out. I hope it doesn't end during our lifetime. There is a delivery system which brings baguettes to villages that no longer have a boulangerie.

The village Veuvrey sur Ouche has been around a long time. If only these walls could talk. I'd love to know the stories of these old buildings.