Typical Nivernais Canal bridge – low and narrow
Today we got started around 9:15 AM under threatening skies. The rain held off until after lunch, then fell heavily for several hours. As it was also fairly cool, we piloted the boat most of the way from the inside station. Today is Jill’s birthday, so at lunchtime she got to open her presents. Henry Warner carried them to Europe, but now Jill gets to carry them back home. Luckily they are all light weight!
Henry Warner piloting the boat before the rain started falling
By the time we made it to Cercy-la-Tour we were all ready to stop, as the day had been soggy and the 16 locks were not as much fun as when the sun was shining brightly. We found a spot on the city’s free pier, so we were able to hook up to shore power and refill our water tank. We had the customary celebratory bottle of wine after getting moored, then we headed to a nearby restaurant called Val d’Aron where we all ordered one of the prix fix meals. We all thought the food was quite delicious and well presented. We heartily endorse the restaurant to anyone considering eating there. There was a couple from the UK about our ages sitting at the adjacent table who were biking the Nivernais and Loire canals for several weeks, so we talked to them for awhile. We all commiserated about the abundant number of restaurant closures that were leaving us September travelers with limited choices. They had actually been to the US a couple of times and we have been to the UK several times, so we found a lot of common subjects to discuss and joke about.
As most of the trip was not especially newsworthy, Henry Warner is just posting several pictures that tell today’s story.
Jill’s birthday jewelry – Happy Birthday Jill!
Rich and Dawn – River Aron
A soggy day tending the lines beats a good day at work
Jill and Henry Warner at the River Aron
Just your average French château
The scenery never gets tiring – even on a rainy day!
Approaching Cercy-la-Tour
Jill and Henry Warner enjoying lunch at Chavance
