Barging in Burgundy
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Day Eighteen – 15th July 2017
Tournus
It was nice to have a second day in one place. No rush to go anywhere and a chance to explore a bit more. Plus we got to catch up on non boating things. It was also Market day in Tournus. We came back with a pile of fruit, some interesting looking squashes, as well as kale and greens for €11. My other half had been wanting to make a Ratatouille.
We went up to the Tourism Office to catch up on comms and then to the large Carrefour to buy charcoal, beer, wine, soy milks and a salad spinner for €5. Very handy with all the sandy green leaves we had just bought that had to be washed well.
Meals on board
I usually bring over books to read. With little to no Internet on the boat, it’s much easier to catch up on reading. Less distractions. The previous year I finally got around to reading – My year of Meat – which my mother gave me. And glad to have read it. This year I read – The Happy Vegan by Russel Simmons – given to us by a friend. It’s a bit like preaching to the converted as we’re already vegan, but always good to remind ourselves why we do it. And get some new insights or ideas.
The sun was only setting at about 21.30pm so going for a run was proving difficult if I wanted to avoid the heat and get to bed at a reasonable time. But I managed a slow jog at 18.30pm along the tow path. It was also a cycle route so encountered cyclists and fishermen and women. I came home to a lovely shower and a divine supper made by my husband. But not before I met yet another South African couple making their way along the waterways. Had a quickie chat then helped them with a hire boat that was busy crashing into them.
Back up the River Saone
Day Nineteen – 16th July 2017
Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
It was a Sunday and all of France was out and about enjoying a glorious day. Not too hot, but lovely and bright. The French are near obsessed with fishing it seems. They set up tents next to the river and are happy to dedicate whole days waiting around for fish to appear. They also sit squashed together in tiny little boats dangling multiple rods into the water. And water-skiers and speed boats were out too. Racing up and down the River Saône causing our boat to wiggle and rock from side to side.
We loved Tournus. But if we hoped to get a spot in popular Chalon-sur-Saône we had to get moving. It’s an exceptionally busy marina. When we arrived two blokes came and literally tied the boat for us. They probably want to make sure they utilise all the available mooring space adequately, but it was really helpful for us as we didn’t have to do very much. We spent the rest of the day planning what shopping had to be done as this was our last chance at a big place to shop. And checking out which of the villages on the Canal du Centre would be best to tie up.
Chalon sur Saone
I made us brown rice and pea rissoles with a big green salad. We ate on the back deck and saw a French boat arrive after 21.00pm. By then there was no space left. Not even on the banks outside the marina. They tried to settle in various places, eventually trying to double-bank to a Dutch boat in front of us. This boat was bumping into us and we were fending his boat and their growling dog off. The Dutch bloke was having none of it and chased them away. An argument ensued. Eventually the boat left to go, who knows where, at that time of night. I asked the Dutch couple what transpired. Apparently you can’t double bank in a narrow through-way. Which it was. It’s not so much a regulation as boating etiquette. The Saffas we met the previous day pointed out a boat that had pushed in front at locks. Yip, you get them, even on the waterways.
Read more – here.
