Dan and Paulette have to drive back to Brussels today, but they can stay until after lunch. (It's about a 6 hour drive.) So, it's a perfect day to hike along the Burgundy Canal. We'll do it by leaving one car at each end to avoid having to make a round trip.
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| starting point of our hike |
The trees were full of singing birds when we were dropped at La Lochère, a small farming village.
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farm in La Lochère
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| We often pass barn doors covered in metal plaques. These are prizes at agricultural competitions. This door was filled with prizes for Charolais beef. The closeup is a 2003 first prize for a special competition of Charolais cows. (Clark Hunsinger photos) |
As we walked the towpath (slightly downhill), we passed locks with lockhouses built next to them. Some were lived in, others were boarded up, and one was a fancy bed and breakfast. Locks are now all self-service, requiring those driving boats in the canal to be trained in how to properly use the lock.
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| an abandoned lock house |
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| passing a lock |
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| Paulette, Chris, Janis, Clark, Ron along the path |
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| Paulette Dumas Photo -Dan & Paulette in Vandenesse (Châteauneuf in the background) |
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| Paulette Dumas photo - taking a rest in Vandenesse - Chris, Ron, Paulette, Dave, Janis, Dan, Clark, & Lynn |
The walk was quiet, although we were frequently passed by bicyclists. We didn't really see any boats until we got to Vandenesse where several boats are moored - mostly tour boats we think.
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| this boat was for sale |
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| we think these big boats fit with only inches to spare in the locks along the canal |
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| Vandenesse |
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| This guy is washing the windows on this tour boat - standing on tippy toes and hanging on to the top with one hand while he works with the other. Quite a feat of balance |
It was a lovely way to spend the morning.
We ate lunch at home and said sad farewells to Dan and Paulette.
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| waving good-bye - Janis, Clark, Dave, Ron, Lynn, & Chris - Paulette Dumas photo |
Since the day was so lovely and the morning hike was easy, Ron, Chris, and Dave hiked around Commarin.
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| Chris picked some wild garlic for the table |
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| this cow wonders who these intruders are |
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| Chris & Ron along the path |
Apéros and left-over beef burgundy made for an easy dinner.
A few more photos from Clark Hunsinger:
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| you can see why this is such a beautiful walk |
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| Janis & Clark in Vandenesse |
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| Dave measuring (in footsteps) the length of a canal boat - they seemed too long to fit in the locks |
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| A lock house that is still lived in |
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