Category Archives: Speaking French

Auxonne, Pontailler-sur-Saône, Mantoche and Gray. Stormy weather.

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

Auxonne is a great spot for a few days. The Port Royale has very nice moorings but quite pricey. For us €14 per night. There is a large military presence here (Napoleon did his training here back in the day) … Continue reading →

Posted in Auxonne, Burgundy, Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, France, French Canal boating, French markets, Mantoche, Petite Saône, Pontailler-sur-Saône, Saone river, Speaking French, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Vraincourt to Auxonne. Happy to back on the Saône River. 

Posted on August 23, 2017 by

August 12 Saturday.  The first half of August has been more like October, weather-wise. It was only 14° as we headed away from Vraincourt at 9am and the temperature didn’t warm up. It felt as if we were the only … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, Oisilly, Cussey, Piépape, eclusiers, French Canal boating, Holiday 2017, Reneve, Speaking French | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Chalons-en-Champagne to Vraincourt. Farewell to vineyards.

Posted on August 11, 2017 by

July 27-August 5, Chalons-en-Champagne. As I mentioned in my last post the Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne had a bridge closure, stopping all traffic for about 10 days and so we tied up on one of the pontoons in Chalons … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, Chalons-en-Champagne, Chamouilly, France, French Canal boating, Holiday 2017, Joinville, Marne, Marne River, Orconte, Speaking French, weed eater, Wifi in France | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

St Jean de Losne to Piépape. Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne

Posted on May 23, 2017 by

Saturday May 20th. We departed our home port of St Jean de Losne after topping up our water tanks and buying a crusty baguette for lunch. The weather was very cloudy and only 12° although at least it wasn’t raining, … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne, Oisilly, Cussey, Piépape, Holiday 2017, Saone river, Speaking French | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lyon, Belleville, Tournus and Chalon. The beautiful Saône River.

Posted on September 13, 2016 by

Thursday September 8th. We left Lyon, turning ‘a droit’ up the Saône, back the way we had come. I was a bit reluctant to leave, I loved feeling part of the hustle and bustle of the city while having our … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal boat, eclusiers, France, French Canal boating, Holiday 2016, Saone river, Speaking French, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

An International Incident. Bad behaviour on the canals…

Posted on July 28, 2016 by

The day started so well. Who knew the palaver that was to follow. Here’s what happened… The morning was cooler when we woke in Pouillenay. We had agreed with the lockeepers that we would have a 9am start as we … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Canal boat, Canal de Bourgogne, France, French Canal boating, Holiday 2016, Marigny, Speaking French | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lazy Days in Leré 

Posted on July 23, 2015 by

Today is Thursday. I’m pretty sure. It’s been a lazy few days since we arrived in Leré. We have achieved a few things though. I managed to administer a haircut to Alan with the clippers. I didn’t scalp him this … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal Lateral à la Loire, French Canal boating, Holiday 2015, Leré, Speaking French, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Fragnes to Santenay on the Canal du Centre…

Posted on June 10, 2015 by

Fragnes was a great little mooring. We had to move off the quay on Sunday for a local children’s fishing contest. I don’t think they caught a great deal but the kids and their mums and dads seem to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Fragnes, French Canal boating, Holiday 2015, Speaking French, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A retrospective look at the Top 10 Things We Like about our new lifestyle. (And a few challenges).

Posted on August 20, 2014 by

We have been home for a week now and it’s time for reflection. What did we love? And for some light and shade, some balance, a few things I, at least, had issues with… Top 10 things we like about … Continue reading →

Posted in Canal boat, France, French Canal boating, highs and lows of living on a boat, Holiday 2014, Speaking French, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments