Bourbonnais: still!

Hello there, as I write on Friday evening, we've a few days left of our travels through the Bourbonnais canals.  As lovely as it's been, Skipper has coined the phrase 'Borebonnais' as we're a little lock weary and ready for the next phase of our trip - the Saone & Rhone rivers on descent to the Med. 

Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 July (Decize to Digoin)
We cast off at Decize at 9am and had a lovely couple of days en route to Digoin - hot sunny weather which has helped the tans!  "Reward" and "Splodge" cruised for 6 hours to Beaulon, a quayside halte with power and water except on arrival, a clutch of guzzling camper vans had taken all the power points.  Fortunately we had enough hot water for a much-needed shower.  We sat on the aft deck 'til quite late Monday evening and heard the unmistakable sound of Mediterranean summer: cicadas chirping away - fab!  On arrival at Digoin on Tuesday afternoon we just got moored up before the skies deposited a heavy downpour so our beer ashore was postponed!  We decided to stay for 2 nights as we've got a couple of long days ahead of us and we need to fully stock up as we can't rely on supplies in the small villages we'll pass through.

Skipper working the lock gate with Alan & Jackie on "Splodge"

Locks over 2 days: 16 (141)
Miles over 2 days: 38 (440)

Thursday 4 & Friday 5 July (Digoin to Blanzy)
Two more lovely sunny days which was great as "Reward" and "Splodge" had two long days ahead of us -10 locks on Thursday and 9 locks on Friday.  The reason we're steaming ahead is that we're ready for a change of scenery plus "Splodge" needs to be in Avignon by 25 July.  Also, this is just the layout of locks and haltes with power and water.

On leaving Digoin we left the Canal Lateral a Loire which continues as the Canal du Centre.  The only difference we can see is slightly more industrialised scenery and fully automated locks.  This means much less time hanging around for locks to open, lunch hours, lock keepers to help or not as they see fit!  We are enjoying cruising with "Splodge" - we get on well and help one another out in the locks, etc.  "Splodge" got something around his props so Skipper suggested he put the engines into reverse as, often, that will free up whatever is around the prop.  Fortunately for "Splodge" this was the case - it wasn't the dreaded fishermens' line but very long grass from the freshly-cut verges.  VNF is fastidious in maintaining the canalsides and locks - to the point where it becomes a menace to boaters - the amount of debris in the canals is considerable and we've heard of three boats with similar problems on this stretch of the canal.

We've seen numerous hunting birds on this stretch of canal - we think they're Marsh Harriers or Red Kites.  We saw a group of 4 together today fighting with a crow.  They put on quite a performance for us - swooping down in front of us and back up again - not a close encounter you see in the UK.

 Thursday afternoon: we arrived at the free Genelard quayside halte and heard about a wine cave where you can taste the local vintage and top up your empty containers for very little money.  Sadly, chores meant that we missed the wine cave but "Splodge" did manage a visit and recommended it - not for the grog - but one of those life experiences - noted for our return journey!  We also heard that there was a reggae concert this weekend to include Toots and the Maytals.  Quite how he ended up here in this tiny village one can only guess and, sadly, we'll miss that gig.

Friday morning: onwards to the village of Blanzy.  Today was a mere 9 locks - a doddle for us lock groupies!  A nice, easy day and we were moored up by 1pm at another free halte with power and water.  Not much going on here sadly - the usual boulangerie, tabac and charcuterie.  We had a sundowner with "Splodge" to end a good couple of days and enjoyed the evening sun.

Locks over 2 days: 19 (160)
Miles over 2 days: 32 (472)

There should only be one more Borebonnais post for you and then I'll take you on Phase 3 of our journey down the mighty Rivers Saone and Rhone ... currently running at 8km ... fortunately we're going with the current but that presents its own challenges!  We hope to be in Macon on the Saone for Bastille Day next Saturday - when France goes completely nuts and celebrates its despatch of royalty.  So, until then folks, over!