Our next stop was Digoin where we would moor for a few days. Not because of any special attractions – or even restaurants – but because of prior commitments. Aleau’s length meant we got a reserved spot right in front of the Capitainerie.
The first thing I noticed in Digoin was all the fire engines. Everywhere I turned, on just about every street, there was a fire engine. Ladder extended. A firefighter on the roof. But no flames. No smoke. What was going on?
I couldn’t believe how many fire trucks the small town of Digoin (Population 7,700) had. I stopped taking pictures but there must have been one on every block. And if there wasn’t a fire truck, a privately owned truck would have its ladder in the air.
And then I found out what a close call we had had. How lucky we were. That storm that knocked down trees and closed the canal to us had moved on to Digoin – and brought a horrendous hailstorm. Firefighters were inspecting every roof in town. Not many survived. Tarps replaced tiles on most roofs.
On houses.
On businesses.
Above the restaurant where we had dinner.
Cars looked they had been blasted with a shotgun.
A whole fleet of rental vans was destroyed. Replacing them would be cheaper than repairing them.
We are so glad we missed that storm. We have no idea the damage it would have done to Aleau or how it possibly could have been repaired.
We left Aleau in Digoin, took a train to Auxonne, picked up Peugey and drove to Paris. It would be Aleau’s home starting in October. We needed a place to store Peugey. We found one in the underground parking garage of an apartment building in La Défense. And then took a train (Well, multiple trains) back to Digoin.
One of the things we had been looking forward to in Digoin was crossing the Loire on a Pont Canal. It’s a bridge for barges.
The sun came out when it was time for Aleau to cross it.
We could look down and see the Loire beneath us.
There’s an even more impressive one in Briare. We can’t wait to see it. It’s on our way to Paris.
But before then, we found a very small one. Still fun to cross. Although narrow.
Jeannie guides me through…
…while I take a peek at what we’re crossing.
And then as we approach our next lock, another Pont Canal.
Still can’t wait for Briare.