In a trip of great contrasts, we particularly liked (in no set order):
- the crew’s bon homie even when things weren’t perfect
- being away, doing something very different
- the few days we hung around in Aigues Mortes enjoying Howard and Doreen’s hospitality
- dining out, some meals being absolutely outstanding
- dining on-board, with good ready-meals, Marie’s excellent omelettes and salads with French bread and wine
- the wines, which were always good, even if obscenely dear in restaurants
- the cheeses, such a variety
- the breakfasts (thank you Richard!) and posh tarts
- having a viable plan, being equipped to replan when necessary and never worrying about fuel despite several absent pumps (well done Colin)
- the incredibly varied scenery – even the ugly bits were interesting
- ascending the awesome Rhone and Saone locks
- seeing so many herons and other birds, including a huge flock of cormorants
- the silly ducks, and some herons, which would wait until we were almost alongside before panicking and flying on ahead of us, only to repeat the entertainment again and again
- the beautiful and welcoming Canal Lateral a la Loire and, almost as good, the Canal de Briare
- learning to use all the different types of lock and getting the hang of lassoing distant bollards
- the relative lack of rain, especially on the canal sections – not our usual UK experience
- watching Richard trying to clamber up steep, sometimes weedy or muddy banks in order to set the next lock (‘taking a flying leap’ in R’s imagination)
- the more relaxed starts to our R&R days
- some of the VNF staff and shopkeepers, who were both helpful and delightful despite us struggling with the language
- showing off in our posh boat, even if some traditionalists were probably unimpressed
- being looked after so wonderfully at Port Pinche by Yves and Julien – and Maya
- (Richard) getting home and being able to get out of bed with enough space to stand up
- (Marie) getting home and being able to have a proper shower
- (Colin) getting to Port Pinche and not having to plan or feel responsible for so much
- the sense of satisfaction at having done the trip and avoiding disasters by good judgement as much as by luck
Wow, that’s quite a list of positives!