Unexcused Absences

Après Ski Lifted by the Crane

We weren’t the only ones flying this past week! Although it is possible to move a boat from the South of France to Bourgogne (Burgundy) entirely via the inland waterways, Après Ski is not well-suited for the journey up the formidable Rhône River. Enter technology! On Monday morning, Emeraude Navigation lifted Après Ski out of the water using a crane.

Après Ski on the Truck

Using a specialized boat transport truck, Nigel (feel free to get in touch with us if you want his contact information) loaded and drove her north into Bourgogne, where another crane in Baye returned her to the water. Après Ski currently awaits our return at a marina in the summit pound of the Nivernais Canal.

So where were we? We originally planned to arrange the transport during our final week in France and to accompany our boat on her journey. However, the 14-July holiday known here as Bastille Day included a nation-wide ban on Convoi Exceptionnel (wide loads). Before departing for Washington DC, we said goodbye to our little boat and left the keys with Emeraude Navigation.

Wide Load!

However, our uninformed planning produced an unexpected bonus. Since the transport company moved the boat on their schedule rather than on ours, we received a sizable discount. Nigel waited to move Après Ski until he had an empty truck returning from another boat delivery. We were able to save money (about half the price), Nigel didn’t have to drive an empty truck, and fewer fossile fuels were used, the elusive win-win!

Our delightful charter on the Nivernais in 2009 has us looking forward to exploring the region on our own boat!  We head back to France in September.

All photos courtesy of Nigel.