Blogs from Auxerre, Burgundy, France, Europe

Think of those travel and movie clips where the tourist is driven around African wild game parks feasting their eyes on the wildlife in a natural habitat. To me, touring Central France is like that except that I drive around a great big drive through museum. It’s not really a museum, but on every street, there is a diorama of modern life set amongst houses and other structures from as far back as 11th and 12th centuries. To modern residents of the region, their solid stone houses are home, a warm refuge, their place in the world, where retro-fitting of facilities and appliances has modernised life. Three towns that we have just visited in the central France region are Chablis, Joigny and Auxerre, all in Burgundy, oozing medieval history and while outwardly showing museum-like appearances, are ... read more

Hi this is a follow up from the blog which I tried to send last night. We are all having trouble with the the Wi Fi on the canal as sometimes it just seems to drop things. the photos in this one were meant to go last night but dropped off for some reason, so look at them in conjunction with the previous blog. At this moment {6 oclock in the morning} I am sitting by the water looking out on the beautiful city of Auxerre with its dominating churches watching over the river. It is a beautiful morning, so quite and still. Last night we had a meal in a very little french cafe that was recommended to us. Very nice. Pip/Rod... read more

My last blog entry finished before the plane trip here (from Guangzhou to Paris), which was unbearable. It was a night flight and I got next to no sleep despite everything I tried. I was very cramped and there was nowhere to rest your head or feet. I think the plane people expect us to sleep sitting upright! FAT CHANCE!!! They must fly first class or business!!! Not only did I not sleep, my screen, which would have normally kept me occupied, was broken so it was a sad series of events! The food on the plane was ok, nothing special but at least the juice was cold although the French air hostesses did not come around with trollies looking proud as often as they did on the flight from Sydney to Guangzhou! After the dreadful ... read more

After a leisurely breakfast, I left the hotel about 09h00 and headed into town to buy my usual lunch - quiche and a ham salad baguette. I then went off to hire a bike for the day. My plan was to head up into the vineyards covering a total of 22 miles. And so, in the warm sun, I cycled through the park and headed downhill alongside the Boulevard Vaubelle to the River Yonne. Not wanting to take any chances, I used a couple of pedestrian crossings before joining the tow path at the Ecluse Auxerre. Following the canal to Vaux, I crossed the river by a narrow vehicular bridge before locating a well-marked track taking me to Champs-sur-Yonne. After pausing for a drink of water in the centre of Champs, I crossed the railway and ... read more

A very long cycle ride was on the cards today - a total of 40miles (64km) was to be achieved by end of play! There are so few trains out of Auxerre. This meant that I had to get the 08h16 out, arriving in Clamecy at 09h12 - a little too early to start, but a better option than the next train. Leaving the town, I headed for the Canal du Nivernais, stopping for lunch at the Ecluse de la Place, before eventually getting back into Auxerre at 17h00. The story is in the photos ...... read more