The Mayenne River

If Paris needed an antidote, this was the spot. Long stretched of smooth river. On either side a varying scene of pasture, chateaux, trees, beautiful old towns and villages....and critters. We had perfect weather the entire week, though the nights were cold the days were nothing but sunshine.

We learned (somtimes the hard way) how to navigate the locks (ecluses). We moored by delightful countryside, cooked fine food (recipe for epaule d'agneau a la Mayenne soon coming), ate marvellous cheeeses, and took a collective deep breath to counterbalance Paris' pace.

It was mostly a week of relaxation. Some of it forced when we had no power other than lights and sometimes heating. This did mean no computer on which to blog, no recharging of camera batteries and no hairdryer...

Each night as we moored was another experience of tranquility. One night beside an old water mill (with a donkey), another beside an enchanted island that comes straight from a fairytale (with a water vole), chateaux on the the hills, bike rides along the river, Abbeys that make cheese and beer, singing lockmasters. Ducking into towns along the way for their (sometimes quite hard to find) markets, including multiple fish and cheeese vendors. Overall a great experience. (Embarkation 47°42'2.77"N 0°39'55.31"W. Most upstream navigation 48° 7'35.85"N 0°45'6.50"W).