We're free!

Hi, nice to see you here again.

Spring has really blossomed in Roanne and the town flower beds are in full bloom with daffodils and tulips.

The local cat rescue centre installed a little house in one of them, presumably as a shelter for the feral cats and kittens and food and water are changed daily.

We had our final lunch out on Wednesday as we were due to leave port on Thursday.

The food was superb as always. Le Tordion has to be the best restaurant we've found in Roanne, and believe me we've tried a few 😀

Our escape plans were delayed by a day when a parcel failed to arrive on Wedesday but we eventually managed to get away on Friday morning and all our new friends came down to the lock to wave us off.

The weather was glorious, perfect for cruising.

I hadn't seen this stretch of canal before, as I was in bed with flu when we arrived back at the beginning of November. Once we got past the gypsy camp and the prison on the outskirts of town it was beautiful countryside, complete with the compulsory chateau.

We didn't go very far for our first journey and moored for the night at the village of Iguerande. The mooring itself is nothing fancy and the water and electricity have long since been removed, but the view from the boat was spectacular.

That's the village of Iguerande across the river Loire which flows alongside the canal. After lunch we took Chico out for his daily constitutional and walked up to the old Roman church at the top of the hill. I can't tell you how much we all enjoyed being out of port, it's just so good to be FREE..... 😎

It's school holidays here and this family walked past us on their rambling/camping holiday. All their gear is carried by the donkey! It's not my cup of tea, but they seemed to be having a great time.

That's all for now. See you again soon X