Charmes, and Nancy, France

Nancy, France

This is our sixth season of barging on Rabelo.  Until this year we have only once been stuck in a lock.  That changed!  On the Canal du Vosges we got stuck a total of six times!  What is happening?  It's not something we want to experience again.  We decided that Rabelo needed to lose a little "weight around the waist."  The previous owner of Rabelo (for reasons unknown to us) had added to the existing rub rail on one side.  Philippe removed the offending rub rail and a thinner one was attached.  The "fix" was a success.

Philippe is cutting away pieces of our rub rail.

Rabelo is getting her new rub rail welded on.

We had an unexpectedly good dinner at Le Dancourt in Charmes.

Wine wasn't shabby.

Beef with mushroom sauce

Assorted desserts

At Charmes we side tied to another barge and climbed over their boat each time we went ashore.

Beautiful tile roof

Another interesting building.

What happens when it floods?

On the Canal du Vosges crossing the Moselle River.

Stanislas Square in Nancy, France is possibly one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe.  UNESCO has it listed as an 18th Century Royal Square.  It was designed to link the medieval old town of Nancy with the "new" town built in the 17th Century.

Stanislas Square 

Another view of Stanislas Square

One of the gates with fountain in Stanislaus Square leading to a garden.

The Parc de la Peniniere in Nancy was featuring an artist who works in wood.  Tom tried out the bench.

 We visited the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Nancy in Stanislas Square  It is one of the oldest museums in France.  We always enjoy the eclectic selection of art being displayed.

My favorite painting of the day by Marinus van Roejmersalen The Money Changer

Detail of a wood sculpture

Such emotion coming from this wood sculpture.

Room of mirrors and lights.

The unique Musee de l"Ecole de Nancy is in the Villa Majorelle, an amazing building originally owned by the world-recognized Mr and Mrs Eugene Corbin.  This museum is dedicated to the Art Nouveau movement in the region of Lorraine.  The home is filled with French Art Nouveau created by artists from Nancy.  I'm in love with this style of furniture and art.

Art Deco Bed

Art Dec bedroom

Dining room

Art Deco Cabinet

More of Nancy to come.

Cruising the Canal du Vosges, France

  It's fall and the leaves are gently covering the water.

A quiet place to spend the night.

Two birds with one stone?  These people travel with their camper van on their deck barge. 

We look forward to our walks.

The picture below shows the result of a lack of traffic of large barges along the Vosges Canal.  In fact, this canal doesn't seem to get much traffic at all.  We think it may be the most beautiful canal we have  cruised on.

The lock wall is completely overgrown with vegetation.  Over time the roots of the plants will loosen the stones of the walls allowing them to fall out.  The wall of the lock will then collapse.  

Checking us out while we check him out.

Tom's view from the helm on the Canal du Vosges.

Roosters and chickens were running free on one of our walks.

Butterfly on purple flower.

When we left Uzemain we saw someone photographing our boat.  What we didn't realize was that a video was being taken of us and posted on the internet.  A young man by the name of Joey is fascinated by boats.  He has never seen a barge as large as ours.  He was so excited he came to check us out at our mooring.  Then he brought all his friends.  Next he brought his parents.  He spoke no English and we still don't speak enough French to chat with him.  Philippe spoke to him.  How could we resist such enthusiasm.  We brought him on board and gave him a tour of the topsides, inside and most important the engine room.  When it was time for us to leave he was there, still fascinated by Rabelo.  We invited him on board to cruise with us.  Gaining permission from his father he joined us for three locks.  That was one excited boy!  Tom even let him steer.

Joey at the helm.  Future captain?

This little bridge caught my eye.

You can tell it's fall.

Collapsing roof 

Canal du Vosges was overgrown.  They never get boats our size down this canal so the vegetation isn't maintained.

One section of the Canal du Vosges.

The canal was very overgrown!  The branches swept along our topsides

I'm still cooking and constantly trying new recipes.

Dutch Baby for breakfast.  Easy and delicious!

Mirabel Clafoutis

Three Women, Three Days of Shopping in Paris: Or, What is the Definition of Trouble? Day Three

Today's walk took us past the Eiffel Tower.

Day three in Paris and it was time to visit the big name designer shops.  The plan was to browse along the Champs Elysees, Ave Montaigne, Faubourg and St Honore. 

We saw the Arc de Triomphe

Even today the cobble stones are placed by hand.  These men were hard at work as we walked by.

It was a long walk to the designer district.  We passed by the Eiffel Tower and later the Arc de Triomphe.  We started window shopping at Ave Montaigne, with it's many designer shops such as Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, MaxMara, Valentino, Versace, and Escada (my favorite).  From there we turned onto the Champs Elysees.  That street was packed with tourists. The café’s encroaching on the sidewalks were filled.  We worked up an appetite and needed lunch.  Moving off the main boulevard and away from the crowds we started searching for a nice bistro we could tuck into.  It was too cold to eat outside so the sidewalk café’s weren’t going to fit the bill.  We found Le 114 Faubourg where I had the best duck breast I may have ever eaten.  With our energy restored we could face the Champs Elysees once more.  Cherolyn suggested we check out the Swarovski store.  I’m always happy to go there.  I found earrings to go with a Swarovski necklace that Tom bought me earlier in the season.  There were other stores that would have been fun to browse through, but I was tired of constantly opening my backpack for inspection.

Cherolyn approved of Dior.

I found this lady, purse in hand, ready to go shopping with us.  Come along dear.

Ever wonder what happens to used ballet slippers?

On our way back to the hotel we found this magnificent cheese shop.  Cherolyn could smell it from a block away.  We needed something to go with our bottle of wine.  

We definitely found some perfect cheeses for cocktail time on the balcony.

A little snack and a lovely bottle of wine while relaxing and enjoying the view.  Our last evening together.

 After cocktails Rocky faded.  We had enjoyed three days of walking, shopping, eating and then doing it all over again.  She had an early call for her flight home the next day.  We missed her at our final dinner in Paris at Semilla.

My seafood dish with vegetables was perfection at Semilla.

Cherolyn had a perfect slice of pork with an assortment of vegetables as an accompanyment.

This map of Paris with the pink marker shows some of the areas we walked to.

The next morning Rocky flew out early, with Cherolyn leaving in the afternoon.  It was sad seeing them leave, but we have our memories and mementos to remember this holiday.

Three women spending three days in Paris.  The city of lights, of magnificent sights, museums, monuments, beautiful old buildings and art wherever you look.  Then there is the food, wine, cheese, and pastries…but we were there to shop!  How much trouble did we get into with 3 days and no one looking over our shoulders?  Apparently not enough!  No one needed another suitcase to cart home our treasures.   

Summary of Day Three

22,688 steps

10.35 miles

2858 calories

19 flights of stairs

My friends, I'm ready to do it again!  Who is ready to join me next time for three days of shopping in Paris?