Tuesday July 31, Vandeness-en-Auxis

July 31, 2018

Tuesday July 31, Vandeness-en-Auxis

View from Chateauneuf

This really is a great spot especially with our position under the trees and a view of the canal and have decided to chill here for a few days. There was a bit of action this morning as the Hotel boat left to continue it cruise down the canal to Dijon. I wandered down to the first lock to watch it go through just as three lock keepers raced down on their motor scooters and got it all set up so that the boat just glided in, then the gates were shut and the boat sunk down to the next level. Then they were off on their scooters to get the next lock ready. The canal drops very quickly so there a large number of locks in a short distance.
The day was heating up by the time we got ourselves organised with the bikes. Chateauneuf is a village with a castle, high above the canal so thought we would ride up to it. The direct route is very steep so we took a slightly easier gradient although we stopped a few times “to look at the view”. Grateful for the electrics!!
Found out when we got there that this village is also listed in the 100 Most Beautiful Villages in France and it really had a lot of character. The castle fortress that dominates the high point was built in the 12^th century, and additions were made in the 15^th century. Parked our bikes and had a really good look around the castle with it’s period furniture. The views from the windows went for miles. Pottered around the streets and shops then stopped for a coffee and people watched.
We took the steep road back down, I wasn’t very confident but ended up managing fine, although my brakes were on most of the way – don’t think I would make a very good mountain biker! Popped into the shop in the village and picked up a baguette for our lunch and had a laid back afternoon under the trees with the breeze keeping us cool. There is a good supply of water here in the marina and seemed a good opportunity to wash the sheets etc. Filled a big bin with soapy water and gave them a good handwash before hanging them up on a line that Ian had set up and with the heat and the breeze they were dry in a few hours. A good job out of the way. Went for a ride down the canal for about half and hour before dinner then once it had cooled we rode through the village to blow the cobwebs away. Forecast is for rain in the morning which I am not surprised about as it is extremely humid tonight.