Monday 5 November

We awoke to a very foggy morning, but even in the midst of the fog there is often something of beauty to see.

Since today was the first day of a another set of lectures for Rita in her Music Therapy course, I drove her (and her bicycle) across to Dijon, just so that I would know where she was going, in case I had to fetch her at any time in the next two weeks. She would be staying in an AirBnB in Dijon for the week, so I said goodbye to her and drove back home on minor roads, rather than the Motorway, just so I could get a feel for the surrounding areas. It was still very foggy when I returned to the port.

Given the weather, I started making brackets for the barge cover, which would be my major project for the next couple of weeks. But in the afternoon, the sun appeared so I decided to make the most of it and went for a bike ride up the Saone.

Tuesday 6 November

This morning was fine, and the sunrise was soft and pastel.

Today, I was scheduled to drive to Moissac so that I could go to the Montauban Prefecture early tomorrow morning to collect my Carte des Séjour. Google Maps plotted a path which had me turning off the Motorway just south of Cahors, so I followed it and found myself going via Castelnau-Montratior, where I saw several interesting windmills - an unexpected bonus.

When I got to Moissac, my first call was at the tarpaulin maker, where I had ordered a replacement flytent to cover the dogbox, after we lost it at Aigues Morte.

Then it was over to Kaz and Iain Noble’s, since yeaterday was Kaz’s birthday and I had told her I was sending her a surprise present - ME!  So we had a good chat, and I left with a jar of Iain’s special pickles!

I had hoped to stay the night at our house (La Maison) on Rue Gambetta, but when I got there at 1900h, there was no one there except Ginger, the cat. He was very quick to make himself at home inside the car, and when I got him out of there, he then proceeded to climb onto the roof and settle down. He is a very friendly cat!

Since I couldn't get into the house, I went into town to La Paris restaurant for dinner - the only one open. As I was leaving, I noticed workmen putting up fairy lights in the market square. Not sure of their purpose, but they sure livened up the place.

When I went back to La Maison around 2030h, Raphael now was now at home (he is a doctor and works long hours), so we had a brief chat and I hit the sack early after a long day’s driving.

Wednesday 7 November

I had breakfast with Raphael, and we discussed future plans for themselves and ourselves, especially in relationship to La Maison. They are keen to stay on, and perhaps consider buying La Maison if we can find a price that is acceptable to them and us.

I then drove across to Montauban Prefecture to get my Carte des Séjour. This time, for the first time, there were no hassles. I took my ticket from reception, waited 10 minutes, and then got the Carte in just a couple of minutes. The only problem I later discovered, is that despite the Receipt saying the CdS would be valid for 10 years, the one I now have says it is valid for only 1 year. So, I now have to decide whether I want to go through the process again next year.

After leaving the Prefecture, I then started the drive back to Auxonne. It was rainy for most of the way, except for 10 minutes as I drove through some mountain country with very autumn colours.

Once I got home, I followed the progress of the USA mid-term elections on the internet, and was relieved to see that the Democrats had taken back control of the House of Representatives, although the gerrymandered Senate elections meant that the Republicans still controlled the Senate. But it should provide for some interesting times ahead.

Thursday 8 November

Today was sunny, so I took the opportunity to get outside and go do some Intermarche and BricoMart shopping. As I drove from the port to the shops, I realised it was just a case of following the roundabouts. As you leave the port parking area, you turn right at the fisherman roundabout...

then left at the woodchopper...

then straight ahead at the girl on the bridge...

and then left at the thresher and his wife.  Shops then 100m on the right.

When I got home, I rebuilt the new flytent, but with a different method of attaching the flytent to the railings on the cabin roof, to avoid losing this one like the first one went bye-byes at Aigues Morte.

Later in the day, I realised that the shorter days mean less work can be done, and soon it was time to enjoy a brilliant red sunset.

Friday 9 November

Surprisingly, it was sunny again today, so I cleaned inside and outside the barge before I went to pick up Rita in Dijon. On the way back I stopped to get a photo of the deer at the deer farm, but as soon as they saw me approaching they all ran to the back of the paddock and over the hill. Very shy!!

We then went to check out Auxonne Gare, which we would both be using in the next week or so, and back to the barge for lunch on the back deck. While we sat in the sun on the deck, the ducks were also enjoying the sun on the nearby pontoon.

In the late afternoon, it was time to drive to Geneva to attend the Bobby McFerrin concert. Two hours later we were pulling into the underground carpark under the market square in Genena, then a short walk to the Victoria Hall theatre. It was a packed house, and I realised that we had been very lucky to get tickets at late notice, even if they were up the back. The concert was fabulous, and lived up to all expectations!

After an after-concert coffee, it was time to drive to Bern, this time in thick fog. I took things gently, and was surprised at the speed at which some cars went past us in the fog. Maybe they knew where they were going!

We again slept at Mutti’s old apartment, this time on mattresses on the floor because most of the furniture had now been removed. But at least it was warm.