L'Avenir - cruising Europe's inland waterways

We  have had a couple of 'whose idea was this?' moments recently. Usually, life afloat is a pretty relaxed affair. Decisions about destinations can be pondered over and put off for weeks sometimes and need to be made (or changed) only on arrival at a junction in the waterway. Even then we've been known to toss a euro.We've come to several of those junctions recently. We've had to think about where we might leave the boat this winter and even (and this will be a first) where we might cruise to next year. Suddenly, 'we've got plenty of time left' has become 'we've only got.....' So, we're turning south once again, albeit in meandering (no, not dithering) fashion. Leaving Sedan, we turned onto the Canal des Ardennes which we've been on before and I've no particular desire to see again. It's very pretty but we had a couple of 'incidents'. Leaving Chesne, one of the few stopping places and on the canal summit, you ar...

For the first time in many years we have resorted to entering this esteemed food establishment. Fancy coming to France and eating at Mcdonalds! The French Fries are ok though but they just call them Frites. So why are we in here??? The things one does for an internet connection! We have found it really difficult to get online here. There are plenty of pay for hotspots but pay through the nose would be more appropriate. In order to get anything like a reasonable rate you need to have a contract and for that you need a french bank account and for that you need a french address and so it goes on.... This is NOT Macca's! We have had a few really good meals in France so far and the prices are quite reasonable particularly if you go for the Plat du Jour or the set menu. The brochette above was at a restaurant in a tiny village beside the River Marne. Cooked on the wood fire you can see in the background. Delicious!

How many bottles of bubbly does it take to travel from Reims to Chateau Thierry? Well, quite a few if you travel as slowly as we do. We have spent the best part of 2 weeks drifting along the River Marne. The area is most famous for 2 things and it would be difficult to think of 2 more diametrically opposed; the Battle of the Marne during WW1 and champagne. The hills are covered with orderly rows of vines producing grapes for a drink which can't fail to lift your spirits and then on the outskirts of the towns and villages you might find more orderly rows but this time it will be crosses marking the graves of thousands upon thousands of soldiers killed in that horrific slaughter. So many and so young. And then there are all those without any name or age - just one word, 'inconnu', unknown. Heartbreaking. The magnificent war memorial, chapel and museum in the grounds of the chateau at Dormans. The beautifully maintained American War Memorial near Chateau Thierry. ...

L'Avenue de Champagne Epernay Champagne maison where we did a tour Vineyard in Champagne The 'caves' beneath Epernay. There are hundreds of kilometres of tunnels containing millions of bottles of champagne. Sante! (haven't worked out how to do the acute accent over the 'e')

Chagall windows in Reims Cathedral. Absolutely stunning as were all the windows. My little camera only hints at their beauty I'm afraid. Don't blink (Dr Who fans will understand). One of the many angels at the cathedral. Unfortunately the famous Angel of Reims was hidden behind scaffolding in an area undergoing restoration. Rose Window Reims Cathedral Reims Cathedral