Life alongside the canals

18.9.11
Although it had rained a little overnight, and was still sprinkling when we woke it looked like the day would clear, which it did. After a walk into the patisserie in town, breakfast was shared on board Armida before preparations were made for the day.
About 10am we set off down the Canal de Bourgogne on the boat, while Bill drove the van to a town about 4km away. We cruised slowly (around 2 - 3 kph) and went through a couple of locks before we saw him pedalling alongside the canal on Rob's little fold-up 'clown' bike! He looked to be enjoying himself and indeed did! He had established the lay of the land a little and while he and Rob waited to go through the lock (another boat was coming the other way), Terry and I took a wander into where Tomtom said there was a couple of restaurants. One was Chinese, the other a Pizzeria but a local lady assured us the restaurant on the other side of the canal was better and more friendly towards accepting Rosie - Rob and Terry's little dog.
Terry and I crossed the lock and headed off to what was an equine centre, which we thought might not really have an appropriate restaurant - although the sign indicated one. Shortly later Rob and Bill joined us in the van and we drove the short distance to what was indeed an entirely suitable place for lunch - something like a small club. As we dined we were able to watch the horses as they gathered on the main arena for a jumping competition. It looked extremely well organised and was, according to Rob and Terry - who have more experience with these matters, a very nice facility.
Bill and I then left Rob and Terry to motor down to St Jean de Losne, while we drove in - 2 locks. Although not technically legal, we drove down the road alongside the canal to the first lock and then a short route around to take us into town and where we would meet Armida at the second, before heading out onto the Saone River on board with them.
St Jean de Losne is where R & T will store Armida over winter. She will have some maintenance and be lifted from the water. There are two main companies providing storage here, so it is quite crowded with boats starting to come to the end of their summer cruising.
Most owners appear to be English speakers - Brits, Americans and one NZ couple who we spoke to. Unlike campervans, who tend to keep to themselves, these people are all keen to have a conversation having often met up with each other a various other places on the canals and rivers during either this, or previous seasons.
Rob has to 'raft' Armida alongside another vessel, but as he does not require water or electricity this is a free mooring - like much of France.
Bill and I walk back to collect the van, while R & T catch up with other boaties, then we join them on board out the back to enjoy the last 2 - 3 hours of a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. Bread, wine,pate, cheese, olives, crisps, chocolate, grapes.... we don't need dinner. Even crack open a bottle of bubbly to enjoy with it all! Whoever thought of buying good bubble for a few euro! I think the max. cost of either of the award winning bottles of red was around 4 - 5 euro. Yet we comment that there does not appear to be a lot of drunkedness on the streets around these smaller towns and villages.
Later that night, Bill and I tried to creep as quietly as possible across our benevolent raft boat and fall into bed in the van, parked alongside the dock - maybe 40m from Armida. This is not a park, nor a camp ground. Just an angle parking spot in front of a laundry and hairdresser.... We are not alone - another van is camped a few spots up! This is quite legal in France! As long as we don't put out a table and chairs, awning etc we are officially 'parked', which we can do for 24 hours!