It was time to say good-bye to friends who had joined us at the DBA Rally. With so many, it took awhile to walk past them all and say “We’ll meet again.”
It didn’t take long to ‘meet again.’ We’re always bumping into Lon and Pat – our friends from Florida. We were moored together in our first home in France – in Auxonne. Which seems so long ago. We were rafted against them this summer – just before our engine-start batteries died on the Marne. And now, once again.
We weren’t able to spend much time on the Nivernais. But were thrilled with what little we saw.
The gates on the Nivernais locks are cranked open and closed by hand. Luckily for us by a VNF lock-keeper.
When we went to see some of the millions of bottles of Crémant at Bailly LaPierre, we went by bus. This time, we saw it from the Nivernais.* That’s Bailly LaPierre at the top left of the photo. The small, grey rectangle beneath it is the entrance to the cave.
(The Nivernais alternates between being a narrow canal and the much wider Yonne River. On this stretch, we have just left the Nivernais and are on the Yonne – but will shortly be back on the Nivernais.)
In spots, the Nivernais and the Yonne are side-by-side – separated only by a small, metal fence.
Sometimes, there isn’t even a fence. It’s up to you to not get too close to the edge.
One lock-keeper had a penchant for knickknacks and flowers. We preferred the flowers.
We found a nice overnight spot near the town of Vincelottes. There was a boat behind us when we moored. But as I walked to take this photo, it left. Was it something I said? But it was good for us. Alone at last.
We walked to the town of Irancy.
It is a charming place.
Even though just 250 people live in Irancy (and its surrounding suburbs), it has a Mairie that belies its size.
Houses show that wine is the main industry – especially red from the Pinot Noir grape. Wine from Irancy even has its own AOC – meaning it is officially recognized. That’s something to be proud of. Check out the gate to this house.
Judging from the cars in the driveways, Irancy is doing well.
Like many small towns in France, Irancy has a restaurant with a big reputation. The carrot points to the entrance of Le Soufflot.
As hungry as we were, we could only look at the menu and salivate. Le Soufflot was closed the day we were there.
I grabbed a photo of the interior from the internet. I think we’ll have to find a way to go back.
As we walked, we passed by the vineyards that surround Irancy – and the grapes that that will become Pinot Noir..
When we got back to Aleau, it was surrounded. So much for bering alone.
