Pont d'Ouche to Vandenesse.

View from the hill above Crugy

This stretch of the Canal between Dijon and Vandenesse is so beautiful. Chateauneuf is a constant presence along the canal from Pont d'Ouch to Vandenesse. Our elcusier was the most friendly man who helped both of us whith the mooring ropes both aft and stern.  We had two eclusiers for most of the way.  They are always complaining about how hard pressed they are, which makes us laugh as we only see one or two other boats on the canal each day - and that's on a busy day - so we can't understand why they feel over worked. I hope non of them read this!

Towpath with Chateuneuf on the distant hill

I feel I must take back my sweeping statement yesterday about the dullness of French towns.  Vandenesse - although just a large village - has several cafes including an English Tea Room with gifts called Charolly, we look forward to going there tomorrow. The port with backdrop of church one way and chateau the other with hotel barges and flowers really could not be nicer.

Today, Sunday, we travelled through about 11 locks arriving about 2pm.  A perfect day, we decided to cycle up the hill to Chateauneuf.  We have been in the castle before so parked out bikes and wandered round the town.  A few gift shops, potters and brocante were open.  Then had the joy of freewheeling down the hill, past the reservoir and back to the village.

I have been struggling with french ever since we decided to get a barge, and feel I have had a break through today.  Simply writing down all the phrases that I want or need to say to the eclusier and learning them is really helping with vocab, verbs and tenses.  Hopefully I can build on this.