We had decided to
retrace our steps northwards to Chalons sur Saone and today embarked on a new
waterway – the Canal du Centre.
Once upon a time the
French wanted to build a canal which linked the Atlantic to the River Saone
which would then naturally provide an onward link to the Mediterranean. They
started building their canal in Chalons sur Saone and slowly worked their way
towards the Atlantic.
However, hillsides,
money issues, committees and wars all got in the way and the canal suffered. In
fact the designer was so frustrated that, after a particularly long night at
the drawing board, he went to bed in despair. Unfortunately it was then that
the shoemaking elves who lived in the designer’s house decided to get involved.
They were pretty good at shoes but absolutely rubbish at canal design. And they
had a bit too much Burgundy wine to drink. They drew lots of squiggles. The next
morning the designer was thrilled to see the finished plans and submitted them
immediately. And they were accepted!
And so poor Lobelia
with poor Andy at the helm finds herself on the bendiest, wiggliest, narrowest
canal ever. There are lots of low bridges and locks and they are all built on tight bends.
But it is beautiful,
so top marks to the elves for finding a pretty route which does take in a
decent number of vineyards.
And by the way – the
canal never made it to the Atlantic.
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| Lobelia likes to limbo |
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| Beautiful views across the vineyards at Santenay |
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| A pretty stop in Fragnes |
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