The Last Man Out

I set off on Friday in 2C/35F weather to head back down the canal towards Dijgon as the last boat of the season in this section of the canal.  A little later the sun came into the valley and another perfect day ensued.

Three days earlier I met friend Ross from Sydney who was staying in Paris.  After a walk around charming Dijon and the obligatory caress of the lucky owl we were off up the canal into the Ouche valley.

As a long time boater, he was set to work doing the ropes as forrard hand, a position I occupy on his boat.  He quickly improved his lassoing skills.

At one lock the bollard I was aiming at was occupied by a curte french bulldog who sat right next to it and stared at me, or maybe Lilou, as I hesitated throwing the rope and possibly pulling him into the lock.  The lock keeper finally intervened.

The first  day out of Dijon is pretty but not that interesting.  The next day was better as later in the day I offered Ross the choice of stopping of continuing.  "More Locks Please" was the response,  We continued on to Pont d'Ouche.

The next morning we came back down 5 locks (downhill is a new experience) to La Bussiere where we capped off the trip with lunch at the Abbey which is now a lovely Relais & Chateau Hotel.

Ross caught a cab back to Dijon station, Lilou and I had a rest and took the next two days heading back to Dijon, assisted most of way by the very frienly and helpful eclusier, Olivier.

As we continued down we passed the last of the large Hotel Barges (badly  parked) who are leaving this section to finish their season elswhere.  He will be the last man out of this last bit.

We are now in the port of Dijon with the other big boys who are loading up with guests and heading down the rest of the canal in the next couple of days.  I will wait a few more days as they move slowly.   The weather is still pefrect, or as one of the skippers described it" "Exceptionell".  Truly.