78days, 1029 miles, 3 rivers, 4 canals, numerous locks of all shapes and sizes, up and down.
We've stopped at countless banksides, villages, towns and cities, not always open though - France seems to close Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and when we seemed to visit thrusday, friday too. Everything closes every day between 12 and 2, including some restaurants!! and any excuse for a public holiday! We've been in so many churches, cathedrals and basilicas, we've visited museums, gardens and vineyards, oh and not forgetting the markets, table top sales and 2euro stores!! We've encountered french protestors in so many town's and cities and even appeared on french TV!! We've experienced local festivals, rock bands, bull runs and every other excuse for a party!
We've met so many interesting people, young and old, from every nationality - we've dined on their boat's and ours and in the most interesting restaurants, brasseries and bistros. With the more adventerous we've drank and danced through the night with the less adventerous we've just drank!
We've tasted in vast quantity every wine from each region and a few others! - Philip has consumed barrels of his favourite beer (Leffe) and every other local one too! French cuisine has surpassed it's reputation, buttery croissants, pain au raisin, delicous pastries in abundance and that was just for breakfast! Lunch and dinner - wild boar, rabbit, steak in every form, fish and shellfish, fantastic moules, frogs legs, escargots and even andouliette (innards) and some we're still not sure of!! All beautifully presented with the most fantastic salads and vegetables finishing off with the tantaslising fromages - we've tried them all, oh and the chocolate mousse too!
The french people (bar 1 - our theif!) have been generous and hospitable hosts, from friendly lock keepers to strangers driving us to supermarkets and others offering assistance to repair punctures!
Bikini days (Chris not Philip) to the moody and misty, to the wild winds of both the Sirroco and the Mistral, both scary but exhilirating to lashing rain with thunder and the most amazing lightening shows - we've had it all!
A different vista round every bend, beavers and coypus, Kingfishers, Heron's of every colour, Flamingos, Charoleux cows, Carmargue horses and wild bulls! Banksides have ranged from cliffs to forest, Willow trees to Maple, Chateau's, Castles and bridges galore.
It's been the most wonderful experience we've had a ball ...
and Amy... a rest before next Spring ..... Barcelona and the Balerics......and how long for and where else....???? Who knows!!