September 30. Cravant to Sery. Still along the canal. A lively short 11.09 km.

Our house for last night was huge! The decor was grapes and wine themed but what can you expect from a place called Vitis Vinifera (scientific/Latin name for “grape Vine”)?

Love how they’ve modernized the insides of these old homes but kept the ancient character – exposed beams, huge fireplace and, if course, the dreaded circular staircase (which I am getting better at using). You can see vestiges of the turret on the outside and the full effect on the inside.

The house had recipes hanging on the wall. I would like to try this one – gougere.

I’m grateful that France puts their information signs in both French and English.  Scott and I read every one. Quebec could learn something from the real French (even in museums Quebec won’t use English – sad, frustrating, and some bad words I won’t use here).

Arizona cypress trees. I’ve never seen these before…even in Arizona…

Insect wall decorations made from cans.  What a cute idea. Maybe something for our Cub Scouts to try?

Hmmm. Why is that truck blocking the road in front of the vouchers (butcher)?

Oh. Yuck.

The Camino pilgrimage shell. Yonne Compestelle.

Ancient and obviously no longer used village well.

Three boats in the lock.

Oh oh. The Locaboat has lost both its rudder and it’s bow thrusters, so it can no longer steer. Ken helped bring it into shore.

The two couples were from Australia.  The man we were talking with said he knew Calgary well. We said we were 6 hours north of Calgary. He said he spent two years in Thompson, Manitoba. I said “you win 😄!”

Ken woke up this morning with a sore throat, the cafe was closed so there was no coffee, and he was somewhat sort of cranky today. He went to the tiny store looking for Halls but no luck. The lady did find him some lozenges though. I also bought some fruit, a carrot, water, bananas, chicken noodle soup package, abpost card and a Mars bar that i did not plan on sharing – quite a load with no bag. Ken grabbed his lozenges and left me to cart all the rest. The clerk and I were of one mind, looked at each other and just shook our heads and laughed. Typical, we said, in our respective languages.

Happily, the bakery was open and we loaded up on baguettes and pains au chocolat and chaussons au pommes and a green doughnut (called a gland) which Peter devoured quite happily while the Australians were being rescued.  We knew there was no food at tonight’s village so we were planning on a big lunch at the one restaurant on the canal today.

Stop and smell the roses.

Beside the railway tracks as we cross to the other side of the canal.

Today’s “waiting patiently” photo.

Sometimes you just have to take photos of the reflections in the water.

Scorpion bug.

This swan was splashing around, giving itself a bath. I managed some video of it.

Everyone was a little cranky in this photo. We get to the restaurant that is supposed to be open and we’re told the kitchen is closed, even though the sign on the door said open and so did their website.  Then I saw people going in and sitting down. I was told the people brought their own food and were just having drinks. Then they said the kitchen was closed but they still are open for drinks and ice cream, which they didn’t tell us the first time around and which would have raised the level of the bad mood meter.  Anyway, Scott is frustrated with the French habit of website saying open and when you arrive, they are closed.  Many businesses don’t seem to pay much attention to opening hours. Ken wasn’t feeling well so he was a little miffed.  Oh, well. Here, have the chausson de pommes that I bought for you this morning that you didn’t want. 

Lovely graffiti on the lock house.

Almost exclusively white cows in this region.

Yay, almost there!

And then…what the heck? Why is there always a hill we have to crawl up to get to our house for the night??? More grrrr.

The village we are in has no services, no food, nothing except the small rental house we are in…but it does have a tiny pottery next door to our house. How could I resist?!?

To be clear, I bought the bird…not the hedgehog.

This kitty was coming to see me until a noisy truck scared it away. Yet more grrrr.

Now I know what to do with the snail shells I’ve collected.

Our landlady kindly gave sickly Ken two beer and a bowl of sweet cherry tomatoes. We were looking forward to stale baguette for supper when Scott remembered he had an onion and some potatoes in his pack.  So he fried up the potatoes and onions, and made some tomato jam, and we had a great supper (and Scott’s backpack is now lighter!).   Peter had a noodle cup and his ham and cheese croissant from the morning’s bakery run.  Not sure we’ll find food tomorrow but we still have baguettes, cheese, apples and a carrot.

Warm and cozy with the wood stove going. Last couple houses were on the chilly side, even for me. Ken was grateful for the heat. The mood meter rises a few more notches with beer, a meal, and heat.

Life is good!