Out onto the River

We are about to descend 10 metres onto the River Saone. The final lock of 61 (in 114km) on the Canal du Centre. It's been a bit of a hard slog particularly for our crew flying from a balmy Scottish summer (highs of around 20 and the distinct probability of rain) into a week of temperatures just shy of 40. Libby and Brian you were brilliant. We'll have medals ready for you but only if you come back again next year.

The Crew at Santanay- still standing!

Before picking up our brave crew in Digion we detoured along the 50km  Canal de Roanne. We have previously missed out this canal as it terminates at Roanne and so necessitates retracing the same route within days.

Extremely leaky lock gates

The canal is quite rural and pleasant with some 'interesting' lock approaches requiring a bit of driving skill (says skipper) or plain luck to get through the cross currents and avoid bouncing off the stone walls.

Helping the lock keeper, Canal de Roanne

Roanne Port

Roanne was once an important Loire port and has a huge basin - 800m x 80m - and very popular with people from all over the world who live aboard their boats over the winter. Most are away cruising during the summer but apparently there is a lively social life to he had over the winter months. Unlike some other winter mooring ports in France, Roanne has lots of shops and restaurants as well as a station. It is also relatively cheap for long term moorings.

After Roanne our next major stop was at the small town of Digoin which is the beginning of the Canal du Centre. Digoin is notable for its lovely aqueduct over the River Loire and also the storks which nest every year on top of the church tower in the middle of town. The parents return from the river to the nest every evening and everyone sitting at the cafes around the square waits expectantly and gets quite excited when then arrive.

Digoin was holding a Petanque festival while we there and the huge park beside the river was filled with hundreds (it seemed) of simultaneous games which one of us rashly tried to ride a bike through... Fortunately no upset was caused or boules hurled at the perpetrator.

As with many towns in France there were also musicians playing open air concerts. A couple of weeks ago we were in Decize at Midsummer which is the night that the whole of France celebrates its Fete de la Musique and anyone who has any type of musical instrument at all picks it up, bags a spot in the town or village and plays. No particular ability required just enthusiasm and a love of music. Having said that we have seen some excellent performers.

'Enthusiastic' drumming group Fetes de la Musique