Monday 3rd September - Rogny

Usual breakfast again, I'll just have to get use to it for a few days.
Valerie and Geoff picked us up at 9am after we had strolled up the canal looking at the 7 Ecluses (locks) Our Auberg was right alongside a section of Le Canal de Briare which was built on the instruction of King Henry IV in 1642 so he could connect two river basins. All this built around the 17th century was some sort of achievement.The canal was completed in three different stages and went through many problems.
We both noticed one of the locals who always seemed to be walking around the little village, standing on one of the canal bridges and then across to another one, doing this all day long it appeared. No matter what time of the day we were around we always saw him. (I’m sure he closes down though between noon and 230 like everyone and everything else here) He was like the local policeman, he wasn’t though and in fact we have never seen a local gendarme as yet.
We now had to move the boat de Villehardouin from its current mooring so we picked it up some where near Chatillon-Coligny and had a little trip up the canal. Through our first lock and then about an hours round trip back to a new berth. Great fun and certainly an idea for a future holiday! de Villehardouin is an ex-hire boat built in the UK in 1983.11.83 m length and a beam of 3.81 m.Powered by a 2,5ltr BMC 64hp (London taxi motor) which can push it along at 8kmh. It does 8mpg and has a range of 450-650 km.

Returned to the house with them both as it was now time for us to say our goodbyes and drive off in their car, this was to be our first test in finding our way back and driving on the right. Pleased to say it went well, so we parked the car outside like a local and took ourselves off for some dinner at a local restaurant.

Went to bed knowing that tomorrow we move in and we will be on our own!