Together
and apart...
 Each
afternoon we all piled into the two minivans for a sightseeing
excursion led by La Belle Epoque's Captain and witty
tour guide, Nick Jones. He introduced us to Vincelles
and its surrounding sun-lit vineyards, Mailly's morning
markets, the soaring Saussois cliffs, ancient Vezeley
and the charming town of Clemency. We learned first-hand
about foie gras, took part in wonderful wine tastings
and shopped, shopped, shopped to our hearts' content.
There
were also many lovely solo moments when one could go
off and do her own thing. I have fond memories of a
quiet early morning stroll beside the river -- locals
fishing off the banks, trees reflected in the almost
still water, mama duck and her flotilla of little ones
gliding by and an old man setting up his artist's easel.
This was absolute and true relaxation. I could feel
any signs of stress abandoning my body. |
Easy
dress code...
 One
of the many things I loved about this barge holiday
was the informal atmosphere and easy dress code. Think
of it as a floating summer camp. Days were spent in
shorts and T-shirts, evenings in cotton pants or skirts
and tops. The only time we dressed up a bit was for
one meal eaten ashore and the Captains Dinner on the
last night of our cruise. That made this a perfect packing
situation for any woman who wanted to combine barging
with a week of European travel on their own.
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Food
glorious food...
All onboard
meals were served in the barge's 'country formal' wood-paneled
dining room. Breakfast was a tempting buffet affair
-- fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, local jams, and French
cheeses. Each morning we were treated to French baguettes,
pain au chocolat and heavenly croissants purchased 'warm
from the oven' in the village closest to where we were
moored.
Buffet
lunches and formal dinners were incredibly satisfying.
Not only was the food tastefully prepared and the table
impeccably set but each meal was a perfect lesson in
the wines, cheeses and  culinary
specialties of the region. I called it 'Burgundy Gourmet
101' presented without a whiff of pretension.
Think
Paté Campagne, Beef Bourginon, warm asparagus
dressed with herb scented Sabayon, duck foie gras and
filet mignon done-to-perfection. Imagine the tastes
of fruit baked-in-custard, orange-flavored crème
brulé, Nougat Glacé, and you get a small
sampling of the veritable feast we enjoyed those seven
days. |
Fun
and informality...
Meal
times were also the catalyst for lively, interesting
conversation as travellers around the table (some couples,
others single) exchanged ideas, told stories, swapped
recipes and recounted the day's highlights. Soon guest
nicknames began to emerge and lots of light hearted
teasing and bantering took over. Info rmal
"formality" reigned.
During
the day Chef Guy and his partner Barbara practiced a
welcoming open kitchen policy. If guests wanted to see
a particular dish being prepared, they were free to
come in by appointment, observe and ask any questions
they might have. Marilyn, who loves to cook, spent time
watching the creation of Nougat Glace and has since
then been able to replicate it with great success for
her family. |
Back
to the real world...
Too
soon our suitcases reappeared, packing was completed,
farewells made and our relaxing, first-class barge experience
was over. I must admit it was somewhat of a shock leaving
this protective little cocoon and having to deal with
the real world again. Bravo and merci to the generous
crew of La Belle Epoque who did their best to introduce
us to the pleasures of their little French corner of
the world and spoilt us silly in the process!
If
you'd like further information about European
Waterways luxury barging experiences
in France, Germany, Scotland, England and Ireland. You
can contact them at:
35 Wharf Road
 Wraysbury,
Middlesex
TW19 5JQ, England
Tel:
+44 (0) 1784 482439
Fax:
+44 (0) 1784 483072
Toll
Free from USA: 1-800-394-8630
Email:
Sales@GoBarging.com
Web
Site: www.GoBarging.com |
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