Houseboat in the French Ardennes - Day 7 - starting over

15.06.23

We were able to sleep in today - until the lawnmowers started roaring. Jan and I rode into town with the smallest wheels in the world to buy baguette and coincidentally ended up in a chocolaterie with homemade pralines. I had to take some with me. After a very relaxed and way too hot breakfast, we set off for the last ride.

For the few kilometers on the river, we tried to take our time. We watched grey herons in their nests and paddled along slowly. Even on the last day, we couldn't just pass through the locks, there was another malfunction. But now I can report broken locks to the river patrol in French like a pro.

We passed by our starting port and already loaded the first batch into the car. A short trip to the supermarket later (for the three most popular B's of the vacation: baguette, brie, and beer) and we're back on the water. In this canal, we're allowed to moor freely, so we can enjoy the last evening all alone in nature.

We throw the SUPs into the water one last time and even Lara, who was hesitant at first, manages to stand and paddle for hundreds of meters without falling in. 

And as I drift away on the SUP, I hear everything and nothing. The wind in the treetops, the different birds, sheep and chickens from the nearby farm.

Every now and then a fish jumps out of the water and lands back with a little splash. It's so much quieter than everyday life. Every day we're accompanied by an incredible number of dragonflies, most often we see the dark blue-winged damselfly.

It's a perfect last evening in the French Ardennes, tomorrow we'll go for a short trip to Champagne - a must for the fish.