The water gypsies are back!

We arrived back in Saint Jean de Losne two weeks ago looking forward to our fourth season of cruising and new adventures. As usual it was a sociable time back in port, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. 

All set for dinner with friends Pete and Glen, shame I forgot to take a photo of them, too busy chatting as usual

We had a very scenic drive through the vineyards for lunch with Chris and Andy who were moored up on the Bourgogne Canal at Pont d'Ouche. Such a shame that some of the vines have been hit by the recent cold snap and frost, fires were lit throughout the night on the Chablis vineyards to try to keep them above freezing. I do hope they survived, I love Chablis!

We managed to get all the usual start of season jobs done on the boat. Chris borrowed a rowing boat so he could paint the lower hull, not quite as easy as he thought, each time he rollered on the paint the boat pushed away, quite amusing to watch but he got the hang of it in the end.

 

We had a lovely mooring spot in the port, next to one of the islands in the middle of the basin. I had never heard a nightingale sing until we came to France, hauntingly beautiful. I would lie in bed reading and listening to them at night. Not quite so impressed with the very loud cuckoo which woke us up some mornings though. 

It would have been easy to stay longer, the lure of Mal and Paul's quiz nights, Wednesday beers, the camaraderie, but there are new places to see and explore this summer. We are heading to the Canal de la Somme. We have heard it is a beautiful waterway and it is possible to get right to the coast. We are aiming to get there by early July as we have a very important visitor coming to stay for a week, our new little granddaughter with her mummy and daddy. 

Lots of planning, think we have all the maps we need

We may well spend a month or two on the Somme then head for beautiful Ghent and Bruges where we have secured a winter mooring for 2016/17. 

So on Monday morning we slipped the ropes and headed up the river Saone to our first stop Auxonne. A beautiful start to what will be a 5 month voyage.

The socialising continues in the port at Auxonne on Roger and Margaret's boat Phoenix

A beautiful sunset walking back to our boat on the town quay

Next morning we turned off the river and entered the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne, the next leg of our journey. It really is like entering Narnia, a beautiful canal, very quiet, especially so early in the season, and no shops until we reach Langres 3 days away. The cupboards, fridge and freezer are well stocked. 

Pretty little villages glimpsed between the trees

The first evening we moored on one of the few moorings on this stretch of the canal, meant for a much smaller boat but we managed. I found it quite amazing that we still had full internet and phone signal, and even a TV satellite signal despite being in the middle of nowhere. The wonders of modern technology, at least I didn't miss the Masterchef finals. 

Very peaceful morning spot at La Seine

The weather has got warmer by the day and after 3 long cruising days we have arrived in civilisation again at the beautiful medieval walled city of Langres. 

Our first glimpse of Langres from the canal

We intend to spend a relaxing weekend here before continuing our journey. We shall make the hike up to the old town in the morning but this evening we are looking forward to a well earned meal and bottle of wine, or perhaps that should be champagne, accompanied by one of my favourite french cheeses made here in Langres.