We haven’t seen each other since Dijon. Today, in La Bussière-sur-Ouche, we met up with L’Escapade, Melba, and Peary.
From left to right – Peary, L’Escapade, and Aleau. As a hotel barge was about to arrive and moor in front of Peary, there was no room for Melba. Hotel Barges take priority over every other vessel. We must pull over and wait if they need to pass through a lock. We must make sure not to take one of their mooring spots. There is no resentment. They pay a lot of money to the VNF – which maintains the canals for us. And they are always willing to help us out when necessary. Barging is a tight-knit community – no matter your length.
So Melba rafted alongside L’Escapade. No big deal. They’ve been traveling together and rafting together since they left Amsterdam earlier this year. Approximately 1500 kilometres so far as they make their way to Strasbourg for the winter.
No, Melba is not short for Peach Melba – nor Melba toast. It’s short for the Australian opera singer Nellie Melba (later Dame Nellie Melba) one of the most famous singers of the Victorian era. While the barge Melba is named after Nellie Melba, Melba was not Nellie’s real name. She took it to honour her hometown of Melbourne. Since the delightful owners of Melba, Mark and Debra, are from Melbourne, the name is a tribute to both Nellie and Melbourne.
Taken from the bow of Aleau – Melba rafted against L’Escapade with Peary in front. As we all sat together enjoying an after-cruise drink, we suddenly heard Dixieland jazz coming from the lock we had just passed through. Walking over to the lock, we saw the hotel barge “L’Impressionniste” and a jazz band entertaining the guests. They were standing at the edge of the lock – but as the barge rose in the lock, they had to get onboard if they were to continue their concert. You can see L’Impressionniste rise in the lock as the band plays on. Take a look at the handrails.
There are a number of companies running hotel barge trips in France. Count on paying $7,000 US per person for one week on the canal. Warning – this musical treat is not usually included in the price.
Here is Adrienne passing through Gissey-sur-Ouche on the Canal de Bourgogne.
And Grand Cru moored near us in Pont d’Ouche.
Fleur-de-Lys on the left and Aleau on the right – moored in Vandenesse-en-Auxois.
