Day Tripping

Day 20
Monday  15th July 2013

A forecast of 30 degrees, WiFi, and the prospect of a detour to historic Dole....Mmmmmm.....

DOLE:

Originally the capital of the Franche-Compte district, it was the birth place of Louis Pasteur and home to secret passageways, private mansions and religious cloisters.

Nervous about pulling out, G had a restless night's sleep. We didn't share the constant tension he was under. Whenever I found the going tough, I could bury myself in the bathroom and ask for help.

 

Next to us was a classic boat, purchased in Holland, from a boat builder who had air-conditioned her in dry dock for 25 years. She was immaculate, beautifully trimmed and very much adored. No doubt, this raised the bar and increased the pressure.

We slipped out seamlessly.

 
The VNF man squeezed 4 of us into a lock this morning....I sat, guarding our back corner, face to face with a little Beagle puppy dog. I can't repeat his Dutch name, let alone spell it....but it meant "wagging tail".

A squeezy lock

 

Turning into the new canal " Du Rhone au Rhin" we encountered a northern NSW Aussie couple who had been cruising the Canals for years. Hardened professionals who had developed up a strong European social network, partied in Paris for years, and had a list of scheduled port rendezvous' ahead, we followed them all the way.

Our Aussie travelling buddies

 

Today's locks were different again....a new remote control with more buttons to push. The very comprehensive French explanation we received did not fall on deaf ears...once again thanks to our on board translators........I was tickled that I could pick up enough words to rough out some meaning!

 

Our progress up the canal today was entirely governed by our Aussie comrades ahead of us. Their cruising speed was much slower than ours. However, the canal much narrower  and shallower...also considerably less interesting........but it was a means to an end.

G nurses injuries. Apart from feeling crook, his wrist had become aggravated over the duration of the journey.......it pained him to steer. But G has always been stoic....complaints few and far between.........unless you are talking " hen pecked" husbands or nagging wives!

Logically speaking, hire boat representation at a town is indicative of its quality......Dole did not disappoint. This was a beautiful launching pad...for Nicholls hire boats and for us.

Follwing Peter and Joan into Dole

 

We were ready to be tourists..the girls had been aching for some retail therapy....I too was starved...... of time to walk, unwind and absorb. G's needs were physical. He was a spent force.......a " Nana nap" and a refreshing  shower was his calling.

This was one gorgeous town!

My poor little darlings....having to deal with me, they were driven and I was dawdling .....constantly stopping to snap images, always looking like the ultimate tourist, a source of embarrassment and continually suffering from " French foot in mouth" disease.

Perusing the local eateries for a venue

 

 

" Lundi" ( Monday), was not the best choice, ....not that we had one.....many shops and restaurants were closed. And such unusual hours were kept....each retailer had their own timetable. Late starts, long lunch allocations and evening closures were typical.
 

 

We did our best to support the local economy. Unanimously we decided to extend our stay (not much arm twisting required!) Just the mere contemplation of a free day ahead changed our whole complexion.

Of course we ate out ....who could resist?