International Beaver Day

Although we didn't see any beavers on International Beaver Day, we did see lots of herons, both perched on the banks and flying over the canal along with us. This must be a great place to be a water bird with so many rivers, ponds and canals.

Our exit from the camp involved basic backtracking and was fairly straightforward but there was the requisite navigation consult after about 2 k. 

But it was quickly clear, we need to head upstream and we rolled along the Canal du Briare past tranquil villages, churches and a few other bikers. (The bikers were going the other way. We didn't overtake any other riders.)

For a mild Sunday in Spring, the way seemed very quiet but we took advantage and rode side by side and enjoyed the scenery without concern for potholes and other trail issues. It really was a pleasant path. 

The town of Rogny les Sept Écluses features a set of seven locks built over the course of several decades in the 1600's (with a break between 1638 and 1642 due to the death of the chief engineer) and was traversed by barges over the course of 245 years. After a quick stop to marvel, we rode up and then continued riding up along minor roads through the countryside. The traffic was very quiet and the views like something from a movie- fields of mustard, ancient stone farmhouses, and one large fast moving dog in pursuit of a small critter. So far a highpoint of the ride. 

At this delightful stone art gallery, we departed the Canal du Briare and headed into the town of Briare. 

It is clearly a boat centered town. 

We rode through town to the Pont Canal and our cozy canal-side auberge. We were immediately greeted by a charming hotelier who helped us stow our bikes and offered us drinks on the house immediately. We decided to unpack first and savoured our accomodations. Then we headed down for refreshments. The hotelier insisted we sit across the way with a prime view of the Pont Canal itself. 

Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it was completed in 1896 and is described as the fourth most popular tourist spot in France. It's 662 metre length made it the longest aqueduct in the world until one over the Elbe opened in 2003.

Many of you might know, my dad loved an engineering marvel. We once talked about a trip to ride the Chunnel train and then a drive across  the suspension bridge in the Prynees  that opened while his health was in decline. It didn't happen, but I still think of him when I come across engineering marvels. I imagine he would have thuroughly enjoyed this trip, the scenery, relaxed pace and food were the sort of thing he appreciated, having family along would make it even better.