Ras and his wife had taken two previous barge trips before this one, both in floating hotel barges, with the amenities, staff, and higher prices associated. Now they were ready to venture out on their own and convinced their daughter and her family to join them on a “bare barge,” which they piloted themselves.
Their son-in-law enjoyed the challenge of guiding the barge along the waterways; the granddaughters enjoyed handling the lines and helping to maneuver the 67 locks on the route; and Sue and her daughter enjoyed their not-too-demanding culinary roles, shopping for breakfast and picnic lunch on board and selecting the most promising restaurants for dinner in the small villages where they tied up for the night. Best of all, they all agree, was the rare opportunity to spend unhurried time in conversing, exploring the countryside, and wining and dining together.
Now you can enjoy Ras’s lyrical descriptions of this romantic form of travel through one of France’s richest cultural and historical regions. First, you’ll learn how the trip was planned and the route plotted, how they decided on the bare barge and where they rented it, some practical tips about boating and the kind of costs you can expect. Then you’ll journey back into the unique history of Burgundy and discover how it might well have been the ruling region of France.
With your trip planned and history learned, you’ll be ready to embark on the day-to-day account of the Kloman’s trip – from St.–Florentin to Chitry-les-Mines in a week. Enjoy each town they passed by, the locks (and lockkeepers) they encountered, the restaurants they ate in and some of the favorite recipes they gathered from them. You’ll be introduced to the culinary treats of the region – from Burgundy Beef, to cheeses, escargots, mustards; and, of course, the wines.
While the rest of the family was piloting the barge, Ras spent his time drawing and painting, so the book is illustrated with his beautiful pen and ink washes to help you “see” the sights as he did. Also included are a list of sites worth a visit, restaurants and hotels, emergency numbers, a bibliography of travel guides, charter companies, and practical travel advice..
Bare Barging in Burgundy is a wonderful resource guide for both adventurous travelers contemplating a barge trip or readers who just want to experience the “perfume of the woods” of Colette’s childhood home.
For adventurous travelers who like boating, good eating, the French countryside, and history – this practical and lyrical guide to bare barging – piloting your own barge – takes you on a delightful voyage to some of the most beautiful waterways of France.
