A taste of winter on Joli Roger

After a lovely Christmas spent with family in the UK we decided to return to the Joli Roger for a taste of winter amongst the boating community. We are so glad that we did so.  A couple of years ago we would never have believed that we would be living on a boat in a marina in the centre of France in January, but here we are. I don't think we have been as relaxed, slept as well or laughed as much in ages. 

We arrived the day before New Years Eve and saw the New Year in with fellow boaters of different nationalities (and some ex boaters who have now settled here in houses). A get together was arranged in the most appropriate of places, a 15th century building which is now an inland waterways museum. Quite bizarre, drinking, eating and dancing amongst the exhibits, a Night at the Museum you could say and given the way this photo turned out perhaps there were one or two uninvited guests!

The boating community here have worked hard to make sure there is plenty to get involved in should you wish to. Chris is out on Boys Beers right now (well there's a surprise!), there are classes in tai chi, franglais sessions to improve your French, patchwork, card making, a walking group, a book swap, coffee mornings, rope work classes and more. Lots of meals out too. You can choose to do as much or as little as you wish. 

On top of that there is much to explore in the surrounding area. The medieval town of Beaune is famous for two things,  Hotel Dieu, a magnificent hospital built in the 15th century, and it's wine. The countryside around Beaune is known as the Grand Crus Route and you drive through the little villages and vineyards after which the world's most famous wines are named, Mersault, Volnay, Pommard to name just a few.

Hotel Dieu, a fascinating visit

We have also had plenty of fresh air and exercise. The bikes have had some use on the cycle paths along the river Saone and canal du Rhone au Rhin. The weather has been mild here compared to some past winters. We had heard stories of ice a foot thick two years ago. The Swiss border is only an hour and a half away and on a clear day we can see Mont Blanc.

But just being on the boat in winter has been a surprisingly pleasureable experience. Of course, having full central heating and a wood burning stove helps.  Lying in bed listening to the rain on the roof. Spotting a kingfisher sitting on the flagpole on the bow. Even being woken by a heron's squawk on the bow at 5 am (and our bedroom is towards the bow end!). 

We have made many friends here over the past few weeks united by a common interest. People go out of their way to offer help, advice and friendship. We repaid a few of them by inviting them on the boat for drinks and nibbles.

A wine tasting trip gave us the chance to replenish stocks! 

Another evening we shall not forget in a hurry was attending a French Loto night, or bingo to us Brits. A dozen or so of us sat amidst a packed hall of around 200 local french people. We foreigners, a little unsure of how things were to proceed, looked like an outing from an establishment for the bewildered. Those of us with some grasp of the French language translated the numbers into English at each end of the table, but this rapidly descended into Chinese whispers and the whole house of cards gradually collapsed until we were all in a fit of giggles. Needless to say we came away empty handed but held our heads high as it was all in aid of a good cause.

We are heading back to the UK on Friday. We shall be a bit sad to leave but this is what we wanted from our early retirement, variety, to keep on moving and not get bored from being in one place for too long. We will be off to Cyprus again for a few weeks, then back to the UK before going to Canada for 5 weeks to visit Chris's sister. We expect to be back on the boat in May ready for cruising again. Some of the friends we have made here will already be on the move by then. May our canals cross!