It kept raining heavily up north as we were beginning to get some sun here. This means the river has risen again and is still rising. Not at flood levels yet, but plenty fast enough for us. Yesterday we set our maximum speed record of 18.2 km/h going over a weir. When the river is this high some of the locks are not needed and they divert you around to where the weir is normally, but is now well under water so it is not quite as scary as it sounds.
In fact cruising on the swollen river is like jumping from a tall building - the journey is fine, it’s the stopping that hurts. Fortunately yesterday's stop was on a nice long, unobstructed pontoon where we are now securely tied as the water rushes past. Even with the high water cruising on the river is a bit boring. The only excitement is dodging logs and going over weirs.
The banks are far away and are mainly trees. We are looking forward to getting back on the more intimate canals later in the season if the river ever goes down enough for us to get back up.
After leaving Chalon-sur-Saone, a couple of hours took us to the pontoon at Tournus where there was fortunately space for us. This is still rental boat territory so it can get crowded, and did over the next couple of days as many boats came and went. We enjoyed this pleasant town with it’s ancient abbey and nice shops. Did some laundry and had a nice lunch at La Boheme. Stay there was restricted to two nights so we were good citizens and left for Macon.
Macon had a very nice, modern, but isolated marina where we sat out a rainy day and made some new friends. A brief trip into town showed a pleasant but unremarkable city.
Now we are in Montmerle-sur-Saone and it may be the improved weather but we are enjoying this little town. We are right by the market place that is a parking lot but quiet. The village has everything we need, including a dog groomer, laundromat, a well stocked supermarket and an Irish bar advertising Fosters (an old sign). Also a nice little wine shop/wine bar where we enjoyed a tasting with our neighbors from New Zealand, Mike and June. We were educated on Beaujolais wines from across the river and now have a well stocked cellar.
Since leaving Macon there are no rental boats and the river is eerily quiet. Three cruisers 
have gone by very fast and a big fuel barge went upriver last night full and came back tonight empty. We have seen a couple of river cruises go by and they don’t look very full. Probably some good deals to be had.
It is so pleasant we will stay here until Sunday and then will cut loose for Lyon, river permitting. The annual, nationwide “Festival of Music” is on Tuesday, the summer solstice, so we are hoping for good weather. It is improving but clouds are never far away. There is rain and thunder as I finish this post. Makes for some interesting sunsets.
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