Auxonne to Port-sur-Saône

You always have to be looking
Leaving Gray, the next few écluse
had a frog strategically placed.

Left Auxonne on Monday the 23rd - the next two days took us to Gray and finally to Port de Savoyeux where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and wine, while listening to the rain pounding on the deck (we’re warm and dry).

Wednesday September 25
Joan and I met with the foreman of Saône Plaisance over a cup of coffee in our galley, to get a quote to have “Juniper” painted in the near future. They had two boats in the shed, one just painted and the other still in the prep-work stages. It looked like they do a very thorough, professional job. Looking forward to hearing what it will cost.

We had a couple of tunnels on this route

After the meeting it was time to get on the water.  Today’s cruising was back and forth between time on the Saône and the frequent deviations that have been dug to cut some of bigger meanders out of the river. We passed a couple of towns that still have access by sections of the river bypassed by the deviations – looking forward to exploring those on our way back. We arrived in Port de Scey-sur-Saône in time to bicycle back to Rupt-sur-Saône, a picturesque village with a prominent château overlooking the town. Great ride on bicycle trail most of the way. The château was closed, but should be open on our return trip in a few days.

Joan's first time as captain going through a tunnel. Not much clearance and it's dark. Didn't even come close
to bumping an side of the tunnel.

Bicycling into the town of Rupt-sur-Saône. Château and ancient tower above town.

Château Rupt-sur-Saône 15th century petite château with 12th century tower (dungeon) remaining from castle
that protected the Saône valley during that time period.

Thursday - A bit of a sleep in morning as we’re only traveling about 7km today, all the way to Port-sur-Saône. Arrived in a bit over an hour to a marina that has next to no boats that are still cruising. A quick trip to the boulangerie gave us fresh bread for the first time in a few days. Our afternoon was spent exploring the town. We were happy to see signs along the path to the marina talking about a new bridge and bypass around Port-sur-Saône for the highway. Right now the highway runs right down the main street of town and it is often bumper to bumper big tractor trailers going through an old town with a narrow two lane road. It will be interesting to see what happens when it’s safe to walk the sidewalks of the main street in town.

Fisherman statue on diversion in
Port-sur-Saône.

Friday – Predicted to be rainy, and we weren’t disappointed. After a quick boulangerie run for croissants to go with our coffee we sat down in our galley to meet with the paint crew at Port-sur-Saône for a quote here as well. We had the chance to see a ex-charter boat older than ours and that apparently had been in worse shape, looking like a shiny brand new boat.

Close-up of paint job and new rub rail on retired charter boat that was older and in worse condition than "Juniper"

Being rainy we did a provisioning run, then Joan did some cleaning and when the rain let up for a bit I did some engine work before we retired to cross stitch work for Joan and the blog for me.

Joan throwing her boule in a short game of péntanque - We were using one of the lanes at the local bouldrome.

We had a short break in the rain – just long enough to grab our boules and run over the boulodrome to practice our péntanque skills. We were able to play for maybe 15 minutes before the next front came through. A quick walk back to the boat and it’s wine, blogging, reading and if it gets light enough more cross stitching for grandma.