August 22, 2017
Le Petit Robinson: Rather unusual accommodation
Ken had bought some prepared salads so we ate these with some very nice white wine which was a mixture of Chardonnay and Sav blanc while we watched the extensive coverage af the total eclipse passing over the USA. I was hoping the Mart Jarmin who had biked to Northern Missouri was having a clear view and the clouds and rain was staying away. I checked the forecast and it seemed as if it would be OK and when I checked his blog this morning I felt pleased that he had had a good view.
Our route today was really extremely easy. Just onto the canal and follow it all the way to Decize. There have only been a few boats travelling along and today probably saw only about 6 or 7. Even with such a small number the lock men seemed busy rushing from lock to lock to let them through when they came to one. We were wondering if once more would be a day without a coffee stop but when we got off the canal at Fleury-sur-Loire we found a bakery which not only had fresh Pain au Chocolate but also was serving coffee.
When we got to Decize we easily found the big Intermarche. We had to stock up with food there as we had had trouble finding a hotel there and were staying at a rather strange place called Le Petit Robinson which is some way along the Canal de Nivernais and has huts and tepees and no means of getting food. To get to the Canal de Nivernais was a nightmare as they seem to be digging up streets and doing major repairs to the crucial bridge. Lots of people were shouting at us as we rode along but eventually we were on the canal. This is a canal that goes from Auxerre to Decize and really goes up quite high. Decise is an important meeting point on the canal network as here the Canal Lateral a la Loire and the Nivernais meet. At Champvert we left the canal and by some miracle found this place. We have what they call a mobile home which looks rather like an old fashioned horse drawn caravan but is new, made of pine and really comfortable. Ken has taken off on a rail trail to La Machine 6 or 7 km away but it is too hot for me. The hottest day we have had. He has just returned and said that the track got pretty difficult but the place is very interesting- a historic coal mine worked from the middle ages but gained its fame in the 1600s when a Belgium Mining Engineer brought a horse draw machine there which revolutionised the workings enabling men to be lowered and raised up and down the mine
Today's ride: 48 km (30 miles)
Total: 942 km (585 miles)
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