Travels with Forty Roses: March 2018

We finally untie and push off tomorrow. All of us here in Auxerre are getting itchy feet to begin our spring and summer waterway travels. Folks who left their boats for warmer climes or simply home, wherever that may be, are returning. Boat works are underway with much swabbing of decks, shining of windows, painting and general refurbishing. There is bustle and anticipation in the air as we share our summer routes and plans. We go in many directions and thank the canals and VNF of France that we can do so. Plans for meeting up in the fall and next winter are being sketched out and various potential path-crossings conjured.

We have verified with the VNF this morning that the plan is firm for tomorrows opening of Les Chainette, the first écluse here in Auxerre, in the downstream system toward Paris. It’s high time we get underway as we meet friend and fellow sailor John Teager April 2, all going well. There have been many stoppages this year for flooding repairs and high water so we are keeping our fingers crossed that all is clear to Port Arsenal.

So, the photos this week are another mixed assortment. From cat exposition to cat suited diver; from sculptured stone to sculpted gardens. And a few other odds and sods thrown in.

I should clarify that we are searching for a pet that travels exceedingly well and is calm near water, on water and possibly in water. Many of you may not believe that is a cat. But we have our hearts set on one…that is both of us, not just me and we mean to obtain the best possible travel companion, as we do a great deal of it. We are very sorry we shall not have a kitten before we leave to initiate into Canadian living this summer and introduce him/her to friends and family. However, there is simply too much going on in these few short weeks before we fly home to manage a kitten. We are doing due diligence and checking out all cat possibilities. We have met some fine people in the process and are hoping for a kitten come September or shortly thereafter.

And of course, it is most difficult to say goodbye, au revoir, à plus tard to all the wonderful people we have met and who have befriended us these past months. New adventures draw us away while good relationships tug us back. We can only say that the community of Auxerre has been a wonderful experience. We do know why this canal system is called The Long Village. So many people to say goodbye to. How we will miss the little bakery. . .possibly a good thing, and how very much we will miss the conviviality of conversation with new friends over a good glass of wine and delicious food. We have gained much these many months. Friendships with good, kind and interesting people that we treasure as we head out on the waterways.