After breakfast we were away through the lock we should have done last night, probably the largest so far. Below the lock there is some interesting riverside architecture, including this wooden structure on a pole..
I think this was our planned mooring for last night almost at the junction of the River Yonne and the Seine.
From here the river is bigger and busier, larger locks, sometimes duplicated with one against each river bank and sometimes side by side.
Now we were with the big boys using the river, some empty and some fully laden, some using pusher tugs and sometimes a full length boat pushing. We even saw a pair breasted, something I have never seen outside the Narrowboat world before.
The plan was to moor down the Canal du Loing but apparently there were no moorings available so we moored on the Seine at Ville de Saint Mammés, the mouth of the canal and we took a walk down as far as the first disused lock.
Our excursion this afternoon was by coach to Provins famous for its roses which get used in various foods, drinks and sweets. I think it would have looked much better a month earlier as the weather had taken its toll on the flowers. After a visit to the rose garden we had a guided tour of the town which is on quite a hill.
One of the places we visited was the old market building where all the traders would barter. Today its nicely set out showing on the ground floor what those would have been selling, they even had their own currency.
Spice Merchant | Banker | Fur Dresser |
Cloth seller showing Vaults | Cloth seller | Clerk |
In recent years they have been excavating the basement, this was originally thought to have been just a store but the ornate stone work on the columns has made them re think and try to work out what its purpose was.Today it houses a few more displays of what the inhabitants may have looked like at work.
The old town has some lovely old buildings, mostly timber framed, some of the modern road signs spoil the photos, but its a living town, not a big museum.
Part of the old wall has been restored and traffic flows through the gate There was a dry moat on the outside just to make it a bit harder for anyone trying to invade.
Our coach was waiting for us just outside the town gate to take us back to the boat for dinner, I haven’t mentioned the food yet so here goes. Breakfast was a help yourself buffet with freshly squeezed orange, cereal, meat, cheese, fruit etc. Lunch was usually a light starter, main course, two local cheeses and dessert. Diner was three courses and a constant supply of wine. We also had a few designs of napkins during the week.
After dinner we went for a short walk along the river side and crossed the river on the bridge. Above the bridge the river is lined with retired working boats, now floating homes for probably ex boating families.
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