More Rural France et Ooo la la les Français - Simone

Even though France could probably fit into half of British Columbia, and its population  almost double ours, there is still a lot of land dedicated to feeding the population.  All along the canal, you see lots of Charolais cattle happily grazing in the fields, and there is still a lot of forest.  They grow a lot of their own food especially in the country.  Most everyone has a garden and many have chickens, even in towns.  It is so peaceful cruising along the canal; the air is fresh;  people are riding their bikes on the trail that runs alongside the canal, often with their dogs keeping pace.  Those trails were first used by the horses and donkeys as they pulled the péniches that transported goods from one town to another.  Many people also fish in the canal.  What they catch, we don't know, but, if the very long fishing poles were any indication they would be catching some mighty big ones.  Some poles reach from one side of the canal to the other.  The banks are lined with lush greenery. 

As of today the scenery has changed somewhat.  Gone are the pastures with happy cows.  It has been replaced by grain fields and the cows have been replaced by horses.  

Sunflowers

But the French!!!! Oh la la, what can I say about the French?    The sign might say "Open from 8 to 10 am".  That means nothing to them.  There may or may not be someone there.  And if they are late, there is no apology for holding you up, just a very pleasant Bonjour.  Non, non, c'est la vie.  
And let's not forget the bells.  Every town has a church and the bells are programmed to ring at certain times of the day, usually at 7 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm.  However in some towns, the bells ring every hour   Sometimes the bells have a hiccup and the ringing does not match the actual time of day but for the townspeople you go about your business by the sound of the bell.  Yes, the French, they are still marching  to their own drum. -Simone

Leaving Châtel-Censoir 

We thought we would beat the mid-day heat by leaving earlier in the morning this am.  It has been in the 90s (32C)  and we were feeling very drained by the end of the day.  Bruce confirmed with the marine operator where we stayed - who seemed to speak perfect English that the locks opened at 0700.  So up we were at 0630 - ready and  waiting!  Seven am (0700) was heralded in with a continuous pealing of the church bells!!  We were sure every one in the town was wakened but no éclusier appeared so we sent a trusting soul onshore to help prepare the Locke.  A fellow boater shouted that it was not a good idea.  So we waited and had our petit-dejeuner.  At 0900 the éclusier appeared and wordlessly opened the gates for us.   Nothing was said about the already flooded écluse!  We think we may have escaped incarceration but they know where we are... - Gerry