I know, I know, I am running terribly late with this blog.
Not sure now actually if it is still worth it. There is a well known, look for a not too offensive word,….., Gentleman of great stupidity, lingering around Wilderness Beavers recently.
In case he joins the club, I am out.
Jarnac pk 45,5 – Chaniers
Wednesday, 07.08.2019
37 km and 5 locks
A short spin back to Jarnac gets us fresh bread.
After this, as you can see from the figures above, we are trying to make a bit of a passage today. Because we have a plan. But more about that later.
Cognac is respectfully flagged for our grand arrival.
But we do not loiter. Instead we pay a quick visit to the E.Leclerc downstream of the city centre. They have even build a jetty there for customers arriving by boat. Very good.
After that is gliding down this beautiful river with its crystal clear water. And its quaint ferries. It is so rural, that there never was the need to build a bridge.
Of course we stop for the odd swim.
The bac at Chaniers causes a bit of a traffic jam. But not for too long.
We stay here for the night an get entertain by this black dog, who keeps jumping into the water over and over again. 
Sireuil – Jarnac pk 45,5
Tuesday, 06.08.2019
26 km and 9 locks
Fresh bread in the morning, and then off early. Unfortunately the boat in the picture wanted to team up with us. Which is ok. And happy to help. But the two of them are grossly incompetent. And the guy in the picture is most of the time stark naked. But otherwise they are nice and friendly.
The Charente itself, of course, is again very beautiful.
The mill and weir at St-Simeux.
Cognac warehouses in Châteauneuf.
We spend the afternoon at the weir in Gondeville. It has been rebuild and it is all a bit new.
But the second Canoe slide for Sadomaso fans is really cool.
This really is a lovely spot. But unfortunately it offers no shade for the boat. So we move on to find a nice mooring for our BBQ and the night.
Through Jarnac:
Just past Jarnac we find a quiet spot in the middle of a forest. Or at least it was quiet every now and then. And got very noisy with some pacific outrigger canoe zipping by every few minutes. There was a lot of shouting involved. Understandably. Mannnn, have they got their navigation wrong.
Luzech – Sireuil
Monday, 05.08.2019
many km and then 1 lock
Damn. Not even a single picture today. That should not have happened.
Anyway. A busy day. Get in the car, up to the weird campsite, get the trailer.
Haul out the boat. Go on a 300 km spin past Bordeaux to the Charente.
Unload the boat and get it back into boating state. Fill up with water. Of to the SuperU at Chateauneuf. Fill up the stores.
And then the day is almost over.
Down through the 1st lock. A much deserved swim. Mooring at Sireuil.
BBQ and wine. Perfect.
Luzech and the Causses du Quercy
Sunday, 04.08.2019
many km
Another thing the Causses have got in abundance: Caves.
And thus the plan is to visit one today. The Gouffre de Padirac.
But before we have to revisit the Auberge de Beauville.
And it is well worth it. Today, being Sunday, we are treated to some top class Foie Gras.
And we get some entertainment thrown in. Some nice vintage cars.
Horses (vintage unknown).
So everybody is happy.
The afternoon turns to be slightly stressful. The plan was to visit Rocamadur. Famous for chees religious madness. The fact, that there were 12 numbered parking areas signposted, should have been a warning. Which we choose to ignore.
The place is packed, like Disney Land. In high season.
Where are they coming from?
So we leg it. We still have some time at our hand before our booked slot at the cave. I hand over the navigation to the IO, while trying to make it to the nearby Dordogne for a swim. Yeah, if you have rad this blog so far, you know how this is going. Still, eventually we find a nice swimming spot.
Then its of to the famous cave. Which is foremost a huge hole in the ground.
You are free to explore at your own speed. But before you get to the most spectacular part of the cave, you have to go on a little boat trip. Nice.
An amazing cave. Highly recommended.
Tomorrow now its inwards to the Charente.
Luzech and the Causses du Quercy
Saturday, 03.08.2019
many km
The last time we have been on the Lot, we figured, that the Causses are a beautiful place to discover. Mainly because there is not much to discover. At least at first sight. The Causses are one of the most sparingly populated areas in France. Sounds good.
We have no plan in particular. Other then visiting a museum that has cars in in. Because, you remember, cars are still the lad’s big thing.
But first its windmill (ruin of) and church (Romanesque).
Old village. 
And so we potter along on tiny and even tinier roads. Meeting no one for hours.
But by pure chance, just as we start to feel this slight tingling of need for a light lunch, we pass through Espédaillac.
Never heard of it? You cannot be blamed. This is what Wikipedia has to say about it. All of it:
”Espédaillac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France.”
With this overload of information, you would hardly expect much. Until you see a little sign at an old house, spelling “Auberge Beauville”. You catch a glimpse into the court yard and instantly know that this must be this hidden France, this secret Nirvana like place, people keep waxing about.
We throw the anchor and see if we can get a table. And we do get a table in the shade under the chestnut tree.
Also we get without any questions asked a litre (1000ml), not a mere bottle of red wine. Bingo.
Then we are told what there is for food. Five course, that’s what we have, love it or leave it. And god did we love it. Two hours of basic, but delicious and freshly cooked food. And I wont even tell you what we payed. I am still embarrassed how little it was.
And as a bonus: We already know where we we will going for lunch tomorrow.
Now its off to the quaint and quirky Musée du Patrimoine Agricole et Automobile de Salviac.
How about a Porsche?
Or even a Multi Babi.
A quick trip to the Big Apple?
And obvious French classics.
By now it is ragingly hot and it is time to get back to our holiday home. Which is still floating and makes for a good refreshing swim.
Bliss.
Douelle- Luzech
Friday, 02.08.2019
13 km – 1 locks
The last cruising day on the Lot is looming.
And properly looming it is.
Its some proper fog. Promising a very hot day later on.
But for now you can hardly see were you are going.
That’s why we are going upstream for a while, the wrong way.
Just for the craig.
A bit later in the day we meet Ted Kaczynski. Looks like he is doing well for himself. And he has got a dog.
There was a last job left on our last day cruising the Lot.
Buying some proper wine. Which in theses parts means a proper Cahors.
And where better to stop at Bernard Bouyssou’s Château Armandière for some wine tasting and some shopping?
Here: right ahead.
Cahors- Douelle
Thursday, 01.08.2019
17 km – 4 locks
Right, lets get back to business. Its all still pretty fucked up with Covid-19. Our Taoiseach has announced that in all likelihood, we will not be allowed to leave Ireland in the summer of 2021 at all.
So gladly there are pictures and memories left fill this blog.
Bringing on the story: In this week in 2019 I have not been feeling very well. And thus got am appointment with a GP in Cahors.
I was dragging this, as you all know, my French is extremely patchy. As long as the GP does not also deal with baguette, I will be rather helpless.
Turns out the, the Doc speaks Latin. And thus it is the second time in more than 30 years, that my school Latin comes in useful. We both have a laugh. I get a prescription: “hoc est realis paciscor.”
After this we found a nice Turkish take away and had a nice Döner.
Then of to the boat and down the river to Douelle. Unfortunately I still wasn’t fully myself and there are no pictures.
But as I write Douelle makes the news. The Lot experiences one of the worst floods ever. And the whole LeBoat Base in Douelle goes awol. 2021 Does not start well.
Dear Reader,
that is, if any readers are left.
I have to apologize. I left this blog on its own for too long. And now I its more that a year delayed.
But live was a bit crazy with work and Corona and the rest.
But I will resume the blog soon. Here just a little teaser.
After we had booked a ferry to Bilbao last Christmas and were planning to do a 5 week round trip along the boarders of France, the ferry was cancelled with Corona hitting.
Then it appeared it might be save to travel to the continent and we booked a crossing on short notice.
We travelled from Cherbourg to the Che, near Tours, the Tarn in the Massive Central and onwards along the Cote d’ Azur to the western Alps for some serious off-roading.
St-Géry – Cahors
Wednesday, 31.07.2019
19 km – 5 locks
Setting out for the Boulangerie, I am greeted by a very misty morning. The world is eerily quiet.
Coming back from the village starts to lift.
By the time we reach Ecluse Planiols, the sun is out in full force.
The captain is still in bad form. Time to see a doctor. Phone calls are made and appointment with a GP in Cahors is arranged for tomorrow.
But before we get there, we stop at Vers. The camp site there allows us the empty and fill the respectable tanks. And have a snack at the friendly Buffet van.
And another picture of the aqueduct traces. Whenever we come back, I need to check this out in more detail.
Fish being very much interested in a piece of carrot.
Church and English castle at Savanac.
Then we finally reach Cahors.
Tonight its eating out. the Bisto l’Isa must be one of the best place to have dinner in Cahors. Great food, fantastic service and a great place to watch the world.
Adventures of nb ARGO and other watery stuff 