Vague Notions

Crossing the Loire on the Pont de Briare Aqueduct

As some of you may already know, we are not ones for making grand plans - we're more of the 'vague notion' school of thought. We decide the general direction, set off and make decisions on the way, sometimes at the toss of a coin. This year's vague notion, probably encouraged by the WW1 commemorations, was to head north, perhaps drop into Paris for a week and then head towards the Somme. Well, we've been aboard over a week now and our current location, at Briare, is about 6km from our starting point. A Bourgogne escargot could make better time.We have come to know this particular stretch of canal very well though. We're on first name terms with the lock keepers between here and Ouzouer and we can't speak highly enough of the Briare harbourmaster - she has been helpful, sympathetic, considerate and kind.

Things began well. The winter in this area of France was mild - 'just like summer' according to our taxi driver. Something of an exaggeration I'd say- otherwise why was our boat covered in a thick layer of filthy soot deposited by the wood fires of the village of Chatillon? 2 days of scrubbing and pressure hosing and L'Avenir emerged from the grime looking a little worse for wear - another summer of painting and varnishing looks to be in prospect. But there was no frost damage which is always a bonus.

Our incentive for getting everything shipshape in record time was that our first visitors for the year were due to arrive a few days after us. Katy and Oscar, it was a delight to have you aboard. Your visit may have been short but you managed a fair overview of life on the canals; cruising over the beautiful Pont de Briare aqueduct, negotiating locks (excellent rope throwing skills by the way), red beer and aperitifs at canalside cafes, a typical14 euro 4 course midday 'formule' menu, restaurants good, mediocre and interesting( the Gieser, not Caesar, salad will go down in family folklore), cycling the towpath, the joys of boating in the rain, birthday champers,chocolates cakes, cats and poppies etc. etc. We would love to have you again.

Our trip to Ouzouer is the extent of our voyage so far. We went there yesterday intending to stay at the excellent mooring for a couple of days but on the way strange noises began to emanate from the engine. What began as a slight whistle grew to a horrible grinding and so today we limped slowly back to Briare keeping our fingers crossed all the way that l 'Avenir would make it. She did. Now the skipper, in his more usual guise as engineer, has unbolted the offending bit of the engine and cycled off with it to find a French mecahnic who might actually be at work this Pentecost holiday.*

The offending piece of the engine successfully removed

They will have a fortnight to fix and hopefully not lose it. Scotland has put out an unexpectedly early call to us and we are off there the day after tomorrow.

'The best laid plans gang aft agley' (says Rabbie Burns ) so it's wiser to stick to vague notions (moi).

*update.  We have our first 'shrug' of the year. The French mechanic can't do the job. Apparently it needs to be sent off somewhere far, far away...... Skipper in even worse mood as the engine part was so heavy it tore off the bike panier. Wine o'clock I think.