News for February 2007
We are wondering where the winter months have gone. We have been very fortunate with the mild weather although we do share concerns about the temperatures being somewhat higher than usual for this time of year. The snow, shown on one of the photographs last month, quickly disappeared and as a consequence the people hopeful of skiing in the surrounding area were disappointed.
During the month of February we have had more welcome visitors. A French couple who hosted the celebration of new year in Montlucon joined us for a meal on their way back from the Jura to their home in the Allier. It was their first visit to a narrow boat and they seemed surprised at the home comforts that are incorporated in the design of the boat. We also welcomed our good friend Alan who joined us for a few days. It was enjoyable to go around the market together and we also took the opportunity to visit 'Cite de l' Image', a museum very near the port. The 'town' is very proud of the museum which is made up of a permanent exhibition on the first floor and exhibitions of a short duration (a few months) on the ground floor. The images provided a history of Epinal and some of the wider well known historical people who had an influence on the town. The weather during Alan's stay was good and so a walk up to the ruined chateau the next day made pleasant exercise. It is a very steep and winding walk but with some lovely views of the Cathedral and other aspects of the town. The camera had 'duff' batteries and so a return trip was made the next day to capture some of the scenery. The views were worth while and the extra exercise did not go amiss.
The remains of the chateau at Epinal. Epinal skyline from the chateau.
Cite de l'Image
Then it was time to prepare for a trip to the centre of France to visit friends and to move on to the midi for 10 days. It is from the midi that we are sending the up date. However, before getting here we spent sometime with Alain and Suzanne at Moulins. We spent an afternoon in Vichy but also visited the 'Centre Nationale du costume de Scene' (National centre of theatre costume). It really was very interesting and extremely well presented. The exhibition that we saw had military costumes as the main focus but in the setting of various operas. The backdrops to the exhibition of costumes was very realistic and one could imagine being in the opera house of Paris or Rome. There was also operatic excerpts being played in some of the scenes portrayed. There was one particular setting which impressed us all; the military ball! There were models of men and women moving to the dance of the waltz. the banquet table full of fish, fruit and meat looked real and men holding their champagne glasses, some precariously held, clearly had drunk one glass too many! The building that houses the exhibition used to be a barracks and from the outside does not look particularly special but as you go through the entrance you can not help but be impressed by the beautifully restored stone staircase and vaults in the ceiling. Apparently it took three years to restore and it has been done very well. Every four months the exhibition is changed and so local people can visit regularly and see new things.
When we said farewell to Alain and Suzanne we went to Decize (our winter mooring for last year) to say hello to Marco and Carmen, fellow boaters. It was good to catch up with them, exchange news, before moving South. En route we had a few hours in Lyon where Paul made use of a very good system for moving around the city There are cycle racks doted around the city and the outskirts. Using a banker card it is possible to rent a bike for short or long duration. No need to return the bike to the same cycle rack, sufficient to ensure that the bike is installed appropriately and safely, ready for the next user. A 'green way' of moving around a big city.
On leaving the Lyon area we headed further south with the intention of viewing a spectacular suspension bridge at Millau which was designed by Norman Foster. We had watched this 2.5 kms bridge being built when we drove South in previous years to camp for our summer holidays. The visit was worth while. Unfortunately we had quite a lot of cloud when we were viewing the bridge from a distance but as we crossed the bridge by car we had sunshine and very good views of the valley below. Arriving at Millau we had problems in finding the hotel where we had booked ourselves a room for a night. Having driven around the town two or three times we decided it was time to make enquiries. We saw a group of young teenagers standing around with their bikes. We asked directions and without any hesitation it was "turn the car around Madame, follow us!" We obeyed and followed the five lads on their bikes who led us directly to the hotel. Lots of waves and thank yous', we might still have been driving around now if it had not been for them showing us through the one way system.
And now we are in Pomerols. We are fortunate enough to be able to loan the house of good friends for a few days and we were even more fortunate to be able to spend an evening together on our arrival to catch up on news. We will be visiting other French friends on our way back to Epinal and then we must really begin to organise ourselves for our next boating season beginning of April. It is so hard to believe that we will soon have been on the boat for two years in France, what a wonderful experience.
The Moselle at Epinal and the cut through Epinal town centre.
There will be photographs of the Millau bridge next month.