Lechatelet, Ouche Valley, Chateau Pierre-de-Bresse, Guedelon, France

It's difficult for us to imagine more beautiful places to visit than the canals and rivers of France.  We love the peace and tranquility.  It's a special treat when we find a place where we can eat on the water.

We enjoyed drinks and lunch at Cascarot a restaurant/hotel along the Doub River.  Elizabeth the owner was delightful

Our walks are bucolic.

 With the heat wave cooking all of France we weren't up to doing much sightseeing.  I finally said we must get off the boat and be tourists for a little while.  We drove to the Chateau Pierre de Bresse built in the XVII century which is now an ecomuseum.  I was recovering from a bug and had little energy.  We managed to take a lovely walk in the forest around the Chateau but decided to save the inside for another day.

There was a traditional moat surrounding the chateau

The approach to the entrance of the Chateau 

 The weeds growing in the canals have become a major problem.  They are choking the canals making cruising difficult. It's rather like sailing through quicksand.  In some places the weeds are so thick the lock doors are no longer able to open and close.

This weed harvester is removing the weeds preventing the lock doors from opening fully and allowing us to exit.

 When we travel on the rivers we load the vehicles onto the deck of Rabelo.  This enables us to go greater distances without having to go back and forth moving the cars.

 Taking the cars off the barge is interesting to watch and always creates an audience. We have a crane which lifts the car off the deck.  Tom then swings the car over to the dock and gently lowers it.

Our car is being lifted off the deck directed by Tom

Tom and Philippe push the car over the side of the barge so it can be lowered to the path below.

 We enjoyed a Japanese dinner in Dijon at Akatsuki with Amanda and Pete.  I'm looking forward to one day returning for another dinner there.

Good times with good friends in Dijon

 While we do go out occasionally I've been spending hours in my kitchen trying out new recipes.

Salmon pockets with a smoked trout pate inside.

Lunch: a savory Dutch baby with a simple salad and orange slices

We had a great time catching up with our friends Elizabeth and Alex.

 Our walk from the marina in Dijon is nice.  Here is the dam before the lake and park.  The Promenade de 'l Ouche River

 Where we tie up in Dijon we have a choice of two bakeries within a two minute walk.

This is a small sampling of pastries.

 It's time to say goodbye to our Moto which we haven't used in three years.  Philippe took it to a motorcycle shop in the hopes that they can sell it.

 We have a new favorite restaurant Auberge de la Charme in the little village of Prenois outside of Dijon.  I've mentioned it before and I will again.  You can order a three, five, or seven course dinner.  That's the menu!  Sit back and let the feast begin.  Each creative and beautifully presented course is a work of art.  I won't even try to describe what we ate.  Besides each delicious course was a different roll with a uniquely flavored butter.  When the cheese course came we were presented with cheeses we've never seen or heard of.  It was an amazing treat!

We started with the house aperitif which had unusual little blueberries in the bottom of the glass that burst in our mouth

Having a garden on board provides me with fresh herbs for cooking.

At Lock 34 on the Burgundy Canal I scored by picking mirabels.  They were turned into two beautiful mirabel crisps.

 It's been a few years since we last visited Guedelon, the 21st century medieval adventure.  In Northern Burgundy, a team of fifty master-builders have taken on the unique challenge of building a castle using medieval techniques and materials.  All materials, including wood and stone, are obtained locally.  The chief architect designed this castle according to the architectural model developed during the 12th and 13th centuries by Phillip II of France.

The start date is taken as being 1229, in the reign of Louis IX.  It was also important to determine the social status of the fictional lord of Guedelon. His position in the feudal hierarchy, his social and economic standing would determine the size and scale of his castle, the presence of certain architectural features and materials.

At a time when environmental protection is of such concern, Guedelon is also a construction site on which the Middle Ages offers insights into green construction for tomorrow.  This is a lesson in sustainable building.  This pioneering construction site offers information on wattle-and-daub, or rubble walling, making and using lime washes, traditional terra-cotta roof tiles,, oak shakes, flax and hemp ropes.

Forging tools

An example of the work done here

Making dyes for fabric 

Materials used to create paints and dyes

The main building

Steve and Marja on a walkway between structures

Timber is worked to create a variety of uses

This adorable little girl managed to come along for a ride on Rabelo. Philippe had been talking to her mother, and when Tom saw the little girl he told Philippe to invite her to join us as we were just relocating Rabelo in the Dijon marina.

I always enjoy hearing from you.

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