Clamecy to Accolay 29.04

This canal links the basin of the Seine with the Loire, occasionally linking with the River Yonne. Our barge, the Luciole ( firefly) used to be used to transport timber. 

We passed through a number of locks, a very narrow squeeze with just millimetres to spare on each side. It was great to hop off and amble along the tow oath, sometimes observed by some inquisitive goats!

I just love the slow motion . It seems as if life has stood still.. it's such a restful way to travel.

This Chateau of Faulin, seen across the fertile fields,was rebuilt and fortified in 15 th century. 

Fields of rape and wheat on either side - beautifully colourful.

After a sumptuous lunch we visited the 

Château de Bazoches owned by Family Vauban. They must be amongst the wealthiest in France, owning a chateau in the Loire valley as well as this one. Apparently, the grandparents are still married but live in different castles! Remarkable way to avoid arguments I guess..

Dinner is incredible. Seafood bisque started the delicious 4-course meal. I probably wouldn't choose seafood bisque, but I might in future after this one 

so day3 was an extra  long day on the canall because tomorrow is a public holiday and the locks are closed. There was still plenty of time to walk to the next loch. 

It was a picturesque part of the canal. As there's virtually no boats around, the water is so still and reflections perfect.

all along the banks of the canal trees are clad with huge balls of mistletoe. It's amazing they can charge so much at Christmas time.

one of the most scenic parts of the route is without doubt these massive cliffs, Rochers du parc. It was great to drift serenely past them.

Eating and drinking is definitely a major part of the day. The food is absolutely delicious, as is the accompanying local wine. Today a rose, King Louis XIV's favourite apparently!  What a feast. The salads were exquisite.

definitely a long walk was very necessary after lunch. Luckily, the sun came out and we could walk off a few calories.

Back  on the boat, Jim our very competent captain, manoeuvred us through the narrowest of locks and under very low bridges, lower than usual due to torrential rain a few weeks ago. He even had to take the steering wheel off and crouch down.

we did too! 

This one was just right. 

So here we are at Accolay, a typical French village with several old communal washing places. A little village where half the houses are boarded up and yet still very attractive 

and, although nobody seems to live here, it has a fantastic restaurant 

where the food most definitely matched the food on our boat . A great day from start to finish.