Wednesday 17 April 2013

French Canal Trip: Vee's Note Card Party



About three years ago six of us embarked
on a canal trip starting in the pretty
village of Chatel Censoir in Burgundy.


We chose Canal de Nivernais,
it was recommended to us as the
 jewel of the French waterway network.
We loved it and we would happily
recommend it to you - 
for us it ticked all the boxes!



We stopped off along the way to visit
many beautiful villages with great
markets, shops, and restaurants.

The photo above is the entrance to 
Vermenton
a delightful village on a side canal.



Our trip ended here at Auxerre
an historic Burgundy town.
This was a prominant 
town even in the 1st century AD.
 At that time the main road
Via Agrippa passed through Auxerre!
I'm imagining legions of Roman
soldiers making their way across France
- on foot.
How amazing is that! 

Today is Vee's
so please come over and have a look
at everyone's cards.
If you would like to join in, go here
for Vee's info on how it all works.





On a very sad note...
My heart goes out to everyone
affected by the terrorist attack
at the end of the Boston marathon.
(there were 45 New Zealanders
taking part in it).
What should have been
a sense of fulfillment
with happy memories
has been shattered by this tragic event.
What has happened to our world?
Sending love and prayers
to all my US friends.

À bientôt

be kind to one another


hugs


Shane 

Maison St Francis where we stayed the night
before setting off on our big adventure.




38 comments:

  1. What has happened to our world. I think we all are wondering that right now. So sad, but your pictures make me want to travel and be happy!!

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  2. How delightful to see the photos of your canal trip. We had thought of doing a similar trip a few years ago and decided against it, preferring to be a little freer as to schedule. But it still appeals to me. Did you do your own cooking or was it all catered?

    Great photos!

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  3. Hi Shane,

    How wonderful it must have been taking the Canal trip and I loved seeing your photos. We have friends that did one of those trips and they loved it. Yes, terribly sad at what happened yesterday at the end of the Marathon and my thoughts and prayers go out to all the people.
    Something so very wrong with terrorists attacking like this and hope that they can be caught and this never happens again.

    hugs
    Carolyn

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  4. Ahh! Canal du Niverais & River Yonne - I remember a wonderful boating holiday (pre-kids;) with friends. We actually started at Auxerre and slowly meandered on our boat for a week. Wonderful restaurants en route, fabulous scenery and wildlife, and I managed to find a couple of brocantes too! We always said we would go back but haven't yet...

    Regarding Boston, my thoughts exactly. Those poor people, how absolutely dreadful.

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  5. That looks like just the sort of relaxing journey I'd enjoy. Your cards are beautiful. So many from around the world affected by yesterday's events...

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  6. Lovely photos - what a nice way to remember your trip.

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  7. What scenic shots. Looks like a great trip!

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  8. What a terrific trip! Such lovely scenes and photos.

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  9. Shane, you have created a perfect set of note cards and a burning desire in my mind to take this trip.
    Just beautiful!!!

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  10. Lovely scenes from your trip Shane.
    Judith

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  11. These would make beautiful notecards or postcards. I appreciate what you've written about what we each feel today, too. Sweet hugs my friend!

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  12. love the photos of the canal trip..looks like such a lovely way
    to spend some time..peaceful and interesting...
    How sad I was hearing the tragedy in Boston, 2300 Canadian running plus their families, they are all safe but we are all part of this world..how terribly cruel and cowardly.
    we send out out prayers for peace.
    xo

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  13. What a wonderful vacation you must have had! These photos make great notecards. The history there must be so amazing to see and take in. Blessings, Pamela

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  14. I wish I could have been there with you, my friend.
    You asked what the two pink flowers in my last post were. begonia and angel trumpets
    Smiles,Dottie

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  15. Dearest Shane,
    I adore those photos. Bridges and water and lovely scenery. I particularly love the boat carrying the bikes! It made me smile.
    Have a great week, my friend.
    Hugs
    Jan

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  16. Must have felt like a dream. Memories like this are the best!

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  17. Charming photos and I really enjoyed the virtual experience with you.

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  18. Thank you for a wonderful tour via your notecards. It looks like a great trip in such a pretty place!

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  19. That must have been a wonderful vacation,dear Shane.TFS.
    I'm still shocked about the events in Boston and my heart just aches for the victims.
    Hugs and love,
    Marie

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  20. I love it when you do note card party! I hope you're all still doing it when I finally retire and can spend some time going through my photos to play along! This certainly is a wonderful place to travel!

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  21. Shane, what a wonderful trip this must have been. I really enjoyed seeing these notecard shots! Sweet memories!

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  22. Beautiful photos of your trip.
    It looks like stepping back in time

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  23. Your photos from your canal trip are beautiful. I can only imagine how relaxing that experience was.

    Thank you for visiting my blog today!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  24. What a lovely trip this must have been. Your photos sure make perfect note cards.

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  25. I've never thought of France having canals for some reason. This looks a lovely way to spend a holiday.

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  26. Oh how I enjoyed traveling along the canal with you. Just lovely!

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  27. Hello Shane, thanks for visiting. What lovely cards a trip such as that do make. A twofold creative blog. I would love to receive any of those cards and those are the kind of scenes I love to paint.
    QMM

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  28. Love your beautiful post card photos Shane. Makes me wish I'm in France right now :)

    hugs and happy day,
    Wendy

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  29. They would make great postcards too!

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  30. Thank you for sharing such beauty with us.

    Your mention of the Via Agrippa is a reminder that the world has been a brutal place since the fall and that through it all grace and truth shine forth!

    Deanna

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  31. Dear Shane, your postcards are beautiful, and captures the lovely canals, and the surroundings so wonderful.I never tried that, but only traveled with car in France!
    The tragedy in Boston, have once more showed us the ugly face of extreeme persons, -how sad and un understandable,that any man or woman, can act like that!
    Hugs to you dear,
    Dorthe

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  32. Oh wow, these pictures make me want to jump on a plane and travel! Great shots!

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  33. I would have loved to have stayed in Maison St. Francis - it looks very picturesque from the outside and captures the imagination because of the name. A lovely way to spend a relaxing holiday by travelling on the waterways of France. I love Rick Stein's tv programme series about this aspect of French life.
    My prayers also are with the people of Boston and all those from the various nations who took part in the marathon event and whose lives have been shattered and changed by the tragedy.

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  34. Oh I love that Maison St. Francis building where you stayed before your canal trip adventure. I can see the memories of that event are still etched in your heart and mind. Your postcard photos are beautiful Shane.
    Absolute tragedy the Boston Marathon attack! Impossible to comprehend why innocent people are targeted. My heart goes out to all those suffering as a consequence.
    Love and hugs,
    Suzy

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  35. I always thought a canal trip in France would be such a wonderful time, and a leisurely way to pass thru so many beautiful old towns. Thanks for sharing!
    The tragedy in Boston was just so senseless and my heart goes out to all affected. We must have the strength and courage to continue our quest for peace and understanding.

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  36. Hi Shane

    Sorry for my late visit. Yes, I do believe the rose in my photo is an Abraham Darby rose. I took the flower photo at the Brooklyn Botanic garden a few summers ago.

    Thank you for you kind words!

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  37. Although I've never done a canal trip it is calling to me! Have watched the boats on the Canal du Midi which passes close to where my family live in the Languedoc - everyone seems to be having fun, and I've seen the chef go into the village to buy fresh foods for the evening meal he's preparing.

    Lovely pics - I know this must have been a lovely trip Shane, especially being with your family.

    Hugs - Mary

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  38. I have no doubt that was an absolutely wonderful trip. Best wishes, Tammy

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