Montbouy, Nogent-sur-Vernisson, Châtillion-Coligny 12-15 May 2023 Everything is going smoothing on our cruise of the Canal to Briare, including getting our packages. After leaving Montargis on Friday we still had 6 locks, before reaching Montbouy about 20kms up the canal. The scenery was rural and tranquil. There was a lock keeper to meet us at the next lock and he also managed the following lock for us. At each lock we put a rope around a big pipe which allowed the rope to slip up as we rose with the rising water. The following chain of 4 locks had a sensor which set off the chain. At the last lock an eclusier met us, as the mooring pipe was missing. At each of the lock there is the original lock keepers house, most of them have been put to other uses now. There was a mooring at Montcresson after the chain of locks, but we had made good time so decided to press on to Montbouy. In the afternoon we went for a short exploration around the town. At the top of the lock the lock keepers house had been transformed into a book shop/cafe and we stopped for a cuppa and shared a delicious rhubarb tart. The town was quite small but quite cute. From the bridge we saw 4 Ragodin swimming in the canal. We hadn't seen a live one before. And then we saw them eating grass on the river bank near our boat. The next night we saw 8 of them on the grass. We wondered what a herd of Ragodin are called. On Saturday Howard had a fish in the morning when he caught lot's of catfish, which he had to handle with a cloth as they have spikes. Our french friends Louis and Jeanne came for a visit. They had been kind enough to allow us to use their address for some deliveries and they brought us down 5 parcels, the last of which arrived just in time on Friday. We took them to lunch in Nogent-sur-Vernisson where we had booked a table for lunch. Actually we went in their car as it was about 7kms away. We had a delightful 3-4 course lunch, speaking mostly in french, before returning back to the boat. It was so generous of them to deliver our packages to us. Before we left on Sunday, we cycled to the Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre just out of town. It was easy to see just off the main road. Quite interesting for us. Then we headed off for the short trip to Chatillion-Coligny. Only about 6kms away but we needed to go through 2 locks, so it took about 90 minutes. We stayed at Chatillion-Coligny for 2 nights and had a nice look around the town. The weather though was overcast amd cold for most of the time, although we did get a little sun in the afternon. It is quite an old town with vestiges of the old city wall still in place. The church was in a particularly old area. There were also some interesting buildings scattered throughout the town.
1 Comment
Rachelle
20/5/2023 05:00:45 am
They are called cute! Looks like another amazing Moondance journey- keep the photos coming and Hope ankle and feet are on the mend.
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