Josselin Friday 31 May 2013

There is a Google Map showing the location of all our stops

The normal routine of breakfast around 9am and then away, but not before Diana had taken a picture of the cows crossing the lock tail bridge.

We walked down to the next lock, these were the only two that were really in walking distance. After photographing Libje leaving the lock we were overtaken by the lady eclusier on her bike. For the next lock she went by car as it was quite some way.

They have some very nice maintenance equipment on this isolated waterway and this aluminium work boat was just part of it, we were to see some more later in the trip.

At Elcluse de Beautfort there is a swing bridge across the lock chamber that gives access to a mill on the weir stream. Once across the lock you then have to cross a stone bridge over half the weir before coming to the mill.

As we approached Josselin through its low bridge with chamfered sides we could see the Chateau standing proudly beside the river. Right below the chateau are the pontoon visitor moorings, but these are not really substantial enough for us so we swing round to moor to the old town quay between the lock and the last pontoon. Once securely moored we headed off to explore a park towards the back of the town. one of the features in the park is a water clock, but closer examination shows that the clock is now electric and the water just spins a few wheels.

Water clock in the park at Josselin

Also in the park I managed to get a nice photograph of a Red Squirrel, something we don’t see at home these days. It was then back to Libje for lunch before heading back out into the town.

There is free access to the church tower in Josselin,

the Basilique Notre Dame du Roncier and from the top there is a very good view out across the town with her Lady keeping an eye on things.

 

Looking straight up to the top of the open spire after climbing all the stone stairs. Inside the church is just as impressive with the stained glass and gold leaf.   
The town is lovely with lots of wooden framed buildings, shops and cafes.

Right beside our mooring is an old wash house. There are lots of these in France, sometimes on the edge of the main river or like this  one on a small spring fed stream that runs clear, clean water down before discharging into the main river.

As it was Friday evening, Ian and Jane took us out for dinner at the red timbered restaurant in the right hand photo above. I cant say I am over impressed with snails, just garlic flavoured lumps once you got them out of the shells.