Beer Songs in Belleville

Belleville sur Loire

I am writing this to the strains of 4 speedo* clad, portly, middle aged Germans from the next boat along the quay raucously singing variations on 'Roll Out The Barrel' to the accompaniment of an accordion and viola (and beer). They are having a very jolly time. One of the delights of boating is the people you meet and because many of them are on holiday they are usually happy - particularly if the sun is shining and the beer flowing, which it is at the moment.
We have been in the small town of Belleville for a couple of days. Once again, the commune has provided us with a shady, grassy mooring, electricity and wifi - and all for free. 100m along the canal bank is a bar tabac/brasserie, next door to that is the baker and there's a supermarket nearby. Almost everything we would normally need. Missing is one of the 3 shops you are virtually guaranteed to find in any French sizeable village. As previously mentioned we have a boulangerie (baker) and Teresa runs a coiffeur (hairdresser) up the road  The business that's missing is the Pharmacie which is often the busiest place in town. This wouldn't normally worry us but one of us seems to have developed, for the first time ever, a case of hay fever (or 'rhume des foins)'. I looked it up in anticipation of having to discuss the symptoms with the pharmacist. Having enquired at the tourist office I was assured there were another 3 within a radius of about 5km so we're sure to find one tomorrow.
The reason the pharmacy has survived the onslaught of the supermarkets is that only they are permitted to sell drugs. You cannot even buy aspirin elsewhere. I read somewhere that there has to be one pharmacy for x thousand population but I'm not sure if that's correct. I also read that the French are renowned for being hypochondriacs but I'm sure that's not true! Anyway, the pharmacy is the first port of call if you are ill. They are very well qualified and will either sell you some medication or advise if you need to see a doctor. It does mean discussing (and if you don't speak the lingo, acting out) your symptoms in full view of everyone in the shop though...

(The Germans have just jumped in the canal!! They'll be needing more than a pharmacy I fear.)

 Belleville may lack a pharmacy but it does have a nuclear power station  just a couple of km away on the Loire river. We can see it quite clearly from our mooring.

 It's beginning to look and sound a bit like an episode from the Simpsons around here at the moment- those Germans would definitely fit in. I just hope there's not a Homer in charge of the power plant.

* for the non-Aussies. Speedos are brief swimwear favoured by men of a certain age (and Tony Abbott). Otherwise known as budgie smugglers in Australia.
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The Aquatic Gardens beside the canal at Belleville