Our Barge Adventure in France | Life and Linda

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Our Barge Adventure in France

This is a re-post of our fabulous trip to France. 
  It is strange because we went to France after  my ordeal with ovarian cancer some years ago.
Now 13 years later, I am battling this very same cancer.
 I am joining Anita for your "Simply Irresistible Link Party."

I am joining Anita for your fabulous "Simply Irresistible Link Party.
Every photo here is ours from the trip.
We went to France for a 2 week vacation in 2000. I thought I would  share some of our photos.  We went on a week long barge trip cruising down the canal in Burgundy. We then spent 6 days in Paris.
There were 7 of us that booked this private barge.
The owners were  husband and wife...the wife was the Captain and chef. and her husband was a doctor.  His sister was the tour guide and a young lady who did odd jobs.  As couples, we each got our own bedroom and private bath.
There was a dining room and living room where we could sit and relax. The best part was on top....Lots of sunshine and great views.
We would have  breakfast and  lunch everyday on top.
Here's a picture of the barge. It's called "Quietude"

                                          The "Quietude"



  

       
This was the first morning..we woke up with fog.
            My husband took this beautiful photo.



 This is  view from the barge looking forward to a lock house.


Going through the lock.  Each lock, they had to stop and turn the wheel to let the water go down.
This barge also had bicycles on board so we could ride or walk along the canals.


This woman is the lock keeper.  She is turning the wheel.  Most of these people live in the Lock house by the canal.  They also grow wonderful vegetables.  Our Chef would stop and pick up fresh veggies daily.

The canal systems in France have a multitude of locks to deal with altitude changes as you move more inland in France. Passing through a lock can be quite a pleasant experience as it enables you to get off the canal boat and meet the lock keeper. Although it’s not necessary, helping out with opening the lock gate will be appreciated. Passing through a lock is free although some people with canal boats in France do leave a tip. Many lock keepers have small stalls set up where you can buy local produce such as cheese and fruits.
               This is a picture of the back of the lock.


      This picture shows how tight some spots are in the canal.

Napoleon's Tomb


Notre Dame
 My husband with Rodan's "The Thinker".




                                      The Abbey Fontenay


      The monks' dormitory in Fontenay Abbey, northern Burgundy. They slept fully dressed, both for warmth (the room was not heated) and to be ready for midnight services. It has a beautiful roof of hand-hewn beams of Spanish chestnut, dating from the late 15th century.



                               Inside of the Abbey


                                The Abbey Forge

                      Waterfall at the Abbey.


                                   An old church

                     The Nav Church, they church was dedicated in 1147.

                           Cloisters- Fontenay Abbey

 
                            This is the oldest clock.....gorgeous....

     Expresso anyone?  The french love their coffee.. cafe.
            I love how there are so many outside cafes....
           Café au lait is one of my favorites.....


The famous Effel Tower 



Here's our group........You can see I had short hair. I had chemo and lost all of my hair and I was lucky enough to have my hair grow back in time for our trip. I had ovarian cancer and I am very lucky to be alive.

Another lock house had some wine.  I love this barrel...Bonjour....
On our last night, we had this french lady come aboard to entertain us. She played the crank box and sang.


Our dining table.  Our meals were outstanding....many courses...and of course those wonderful cheeses and fresh baked bread. Our chef would always present her dessert too. We were given a bell to ring for more wine and bread.  Needless to say, we rang that bell many times.  We got to the point, they started bringing out the jug wine...LOL



            This is Medieval City.  Quite a beautiful site.



                         We visited the Bathing pools.....


                    A quaint old village. Many shops....

 A great wine cave we visited and of courses tasted as well.




I'm at the  Champagne cave.  Yummy and cold champagne..

  My husband is in his element.  Wine galore.....LOL

  I'm relaxing an having a cocktail. What do you think of my hair?
Do I look French?   Believe me, at this point, I was extremely happy to have some hair.  I must say, it was so easy to care for.

              Anita, our captain and chef and her husband.



This was our last night photo.  We all dressed up for the occasion.
We had a marvelous time.  In between, our guide had a van and we went on side trips.  We visited wineries, castles and old towns.

 Well, I hope you have enjoyed seeing this trip through the region of Burgundy in France.
I think I need to make another post of Paris....It would make this one way too long...
Update:  I am cancer free again....
Sharing with:

Take me Away @ Calypso In The Country


About Linda @ Life and Linda

Hello, welcome to LifeandLinda. I am from Northern California. I enjoy blogging, Designing Blogs, Decorating, cooking, entertaining, gardening and clogging. I hope you enjoy your visit.

59 comments:

  1. How much fun! My husband has always wanted to take a trip just like this. Your pictures are neat. I am happy you had such a nice trip. I like your short hair. I think you rock that look! I hope you are feeling better!

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  2. Wow what a dream vacation. I have been to Europe several times but haven't visited France (yet). What a great way to see that region. We are thinking of going to England and Ireland this year. Thanks for sharing

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  3. Ahh, my what a nice adventure! You look great with short hair too! Your hair style was very cute! You and hubby are great together- I'm glad for you he came into your life! Obviously it was meant to be! Those pictures are wonderful and evoke some great feelings for you! Thaks for sharing!! Hugs! Liz

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  4. Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment. I'm your newest follower :)

    It looks like you had a wonderful time on your trip and those pictures are just beautiful!

    Have a great night!
    Aledia~

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  5. Hi lovely lady, this looks like a fun trip with all of you having a Great time !!! I love your hair sweet lady !!! you look like you are 21 right sweet lady.
    xxoo
    Diane
    call me some time Ok !!!

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  6. Thanks for visiting my site .. .cause now I've found you! What a beautiful post ... must have been an incredible trip! 13 year cancer survivor here ... Thanks for sharing this great post.

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  7. Wow, I can only dream of a vacation like this, how beautiful. Now your hair- I love, love, love it!! I am not just saying that, I have always said if I could wear my hair this short, I definately would. Your face is so beautiful, you don't need the hair to hide parts of it like some of us do. You look absolutely stunning, and very young I might add :)

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  8. It looks like such a wonderful vacation, thanks so much for sharing it with us in pictures.

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  9. What a fabulous trip! We spent a week in the South of France many years ago, it is beautiful. You look amazing!! Love the short hair.

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  10. Wow, Linda! I'm glad you gave me a heads up on this post. It's wonderful!!! That was some vacation!!!!! I would just be in hog heaven to see all that history and drink all that good wine! You guys were brave to get on that barge, though. I'm a big chicken when it comes to stuff like that! :-) It would be fun to get off and tour around and to help with the lock, though. The views were wonderful, too!!! I didn't know you were an ovarian cancer survivor. Wow...I'm so happy you beat that devil! Your hair looked really great with it short like that. It DID give you a decidedly French look! You're skinny, so you can get away with having short hair like that. I would look really, really weird! :-) Thanks again for the heads up!

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  11. Wow, the trip of a lifetime! And the most beautiful pictures! It must have been an amazing adventure!
    I love your hair short! I'm so glad to hear you beat the cancer. And praying it stays beat!!
    Debbie :)

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  12. Linda, I am so glad you shared this post. First, I am so happy to see you are doing great after chemo. I would never guess. You always look fit and beautiful. You do look French with the sassy haircut. Lovely photos, thanks for reposting, and I am so happy you beat it. xo

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  13. Somehow I missed that you were a cancer survivor, bravo, you look beautiful! Your trip looks like so much FUN!

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  14. Loved all the pictures and I'll certainly dream with such a dreamtrip now :).

    I'm stuck on this sentence: "I had ovarian cancer and I am very lucky to be alive."

    We're all so lucky that you did, Sweet Linda.

    And you look damm hot in short hair ahahahah. You must have Nordic Genes somewhere up the line :)... If I say you in France hollidaying I would take you for a French (or a Nordic) Woman :love:

    Thank you for sharing,
    T

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  15. Linda's husband - Yes it was the trip of a life time. We picked Sept. for the weather and weren't disappointed. There are a lot of barge trip companies, ours was a smaller family run barge. Our captain was also a great cook and we thought we would take some meals out but after a few meals with her cooking we didn't leave the boat for meals. Breakfast was light but lunch and dinner were mult-course meals with plenty of wine lasting hours. I think I remeber it being $3,000 per person which included your room, meals, side trips and of course all the wine you could drink.

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  16. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I am your newest follower, and I am so glad! Your blog is beautiful, and I loved your pictures. I want to go to Paris one of these days! Looking forward to getting to know you! :) HUGS

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  17. Hi Linda!
    I love these pictures of your trip in France! What a lovely thing to do!
    You look so chick with your hair short! It's not bad on you at all!
    You look pretty darn good to for someone who went through chemo not long before! That champagne cellar looks like a hot spot! So glad you are okay and had a chance to enjoy such a beautiful country!

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  18. Linda U ROCK!!!!!!!!!! Congrats for everything. U look amazing. So does the FAB trip...what a dreamy vacay! God bless u! Thanks for sharing! xoxo

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  19. Linda, I'm so glad you stopped by HFTS today and left a comment. It has brought me to your blog. We love traveling in France, but have never taken a barge trip. I think it looks like a lot of fun. We did visit Burgundy this past fall. Thanks for sharing your trip. I think your hair looks fabulous! Wonderful news that you beat the cancer!!! Bravo!

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  20. such a fabulous vacation, linda! beautiful pics--and you look great with short hair!

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  21. Hi Linda! I'm the first one aboard your cruise here for the 2013 France link party! Thank you for providing this post so we could feature your blog during the fun.

    You look marvelous with short hair, fit and so pretty! All the photos are so sensational and that medieval city with the château is MAGNIFIQUE. I love castles and I could live in such a structure!

    I hope you get a chance to go around and visit the others; I have the most wonderful blogger friends anyone could ever want to enjoy creativity with.

    Be well and HERE WE GO! Anita

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  22. What a great adventure, life on a barge in France. I think you look wonderful, your hair style looks amazing and I would give my eye teeth for those legs of yours. Happy to meet you.
    Di
    X

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  23. Your barge trip in France looks like so much fun...getting to know a real French couple and getting to interact with the lock operators... another French adventure to add to my list of things to do...thank you for sharing your adventure.

    Your hair is beautiful! Yes, you do look French.

    I am following and am visiting your older blogs for more fun.

    Judith

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  24. Hi dear Linda, thank you for taking me along to your dreamy vacation to France! You look adorable and very Frenchy with your short hair. Our youngest son and DIL are just on their way home from France and Italy. I'm still praying for your continued health. xo

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  25. And you will beat this again, Linda. I just read my comment from last year. I would love to do a trip like this one day. xo

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  26. LInda, I'm back for your repost. Thanks for sharing this amazing experience again. I'm just sad to hear you say that you are once again fighting the C. I will keep you in my prayers. I said it before, but will say it again... you look fabulous! ~ Sarah

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  27. Bonjour Linda. So glad you visited my blog today (thanks to our friend Anita!) - I have just arrived here and loved, loved, loved following you on the great barge trip in Burgundy. You look very good on the pictures, and the short hair is, indeed très stylish. You look good with the pixie cut. Not everyone does. I am sorry to hear your cancer is back, but I read your update, and it sounds as if this is not entirely bad news since the surgery is now behind you. Stay brave, Linda. I will be back to check on you, since I am your newest Follower. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  28. I'm so glad I was sent to your blog by Anita because I love it! I hope you have a full recovery too. Nice to meet you and can't wait to see more!
    xo
    Sharon

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  29. Bonjour Linda,

    So lovely to discover your blog and meet you - I am your newest follower back.
    Your trip around France looks wonderful and I enjoyed seeing your great photos. You look fabulous with your short hair.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  30. What a great way to explore France. I know nothing about the locks and canal, but it sounds so fun.

    I hope your are doing great and are in remission now.

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  31. Beautiful Linda,

    Thank you for joining us, and I am so glad that you had this lovely post all set up. Enjoy the trip, and I see my darling friends are SO KIND to come to welcome into the party. You are gorgeous, and I hope you are enjoying the fun. BE WELL and I'll be back! Anita

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  32. I always enjoy seeing these pictures of your trip. You look very cute with short hair!

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  33. Linda, I can't thank you enough for this lovely post! I've always wanted to take a barge trip! I felt as though I was right there with you. Marvelous photos. And I loved your short hair in the photos!
    I'm so sorry about what you've been going through...one of my best friends was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is about to begin chemo next week. You have my thoughts and prayers for you good health.
    And I am a follower as of now!
    Barbara

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  34. So glad you reposted this.

    You know why? Because since you said you could do chemo again I thought of these pictures and hold them in my mind - for me they're your celebration of sucess and beauty.

    Take Care,
    Teresa

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  35. Just strolling by for a class of bubbly, a look at that fabulous medieval castle and you, pretty Linda. Have a lovely evening my dear! Anita

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  36. Looks like you had a lovely time. What gorgeous scenery and delightful barge. AND...I LOVE your hair in the photo where you asked what we thought of it. I wear mine quite short usually and it looks the best on me and as you said, it's so easy to take care of. ♥

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  37. Linda,
    When Anita told me you were joining the link party, I said to myself, "Yes, that's my girl, Linda!" These pictures are gorgeous, and I enjoyed browsing through them very much. Notre Dame is so beautiful. Nel and Jess went there, and it was one of their favorite places. Don't you just love the old churches? There is so much history with them. I am going to take a second look at your pictures. You look fabulous, and I'm so glad you joined us this year. It's nice to see a familiar face.
    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  38. ps - I sent you a little comment on your last post too.

    ~Sheri

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  39. Oh my goodness....what an amazing trip and what stunning photos!!! Thank you for sharing them with us!!

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  40. Dear Linda, you have been through so much....I can see you are a fighter and I will pray always.

    Your barge trip sounds so very cool, the other travelers, the food and wine,! You look great actually the short wispy hair suits you, I may even try it!

    Come with me on my adventure in France.
    life, possibilities, grace
    a beautiful dream...

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  41. Hi Linda,

    Oh my goodness...I am glad you are doing better. I can't imagine what you have been going through. So glad that they got all of the cancer the 2nd time.

    This trip looks like it was amazing and what an interesting way to travel. Thanks for sharing your pretty photos. Love your short hair. :)

    Heidi @ hi-d's place

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  42. Wow! Linda! What wonderful pictures, they really make me feel as if this is a shared experience. It's about time you went again, don't you think?

    And your hair? You looked GORGEOUS! Sexy and smart and a little bit wicked!
    Nice legs, too! (is that inappropriate? I can never tell! Lol)

    Thank you for taking us along with you and your memories of this fabulous holiday.

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  43. Wow, that was some vacation! I wish I could visit France ,it's my dream destnation n1... Thank you for visiting my blog...!

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  44. What a glorious trip and what an amazing story! So happy to be linking with everyone participating in this weeks party!

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  45. Hello girlfriend! What an amazing trip you had...looking hot and sexy in your shorts and short hair that you wore so well! Glad to hear that you won't have to go through the hair loss ordeal, again....just hope that you will get through this next hurdle quickly and with as much discomfort as possible. I miss you and will be waiting for more updates!
    Hugs,
    Janet/JP

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  46. Wow! First off you're gorgeous! Love your hair! Thanks for sharing these lovely pics of your trip. Looks like it was lots of fun! Also, thanks for your lovely comment on my post:-)

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  47. This post is truly inspirational on so many levels...Thank you for sharing this amazing trip and these wonderful photos with us. Love your hair ... and your spirit!

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  48. Linda ... so lovely to meet you and you look amazing! I think you look like a young Brigette Nielsen (actress). I love your post and a holiday on a barge meandering through France sounds perfect! LOVE the champagne picture! Your legs go on forever!!! Great post and I would love a glass of champagne please and all my best wishes for the road ahead!
    xx Frances

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  49. Linda...you are in my prayers! I have read that your treatment does not require chemotherapy. Thank goodness! I have been following your blog for a few months.

    OmGoodness! I have heard about the canal barge trips, but to actually see the journey through your lens is such a treat! Thank you ever so much for sharing this!

    I will be popping in to check on your progress!
    ~Lynne
    withLove!

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  50. How wonderful to travel down one of the canals with your through Anita's Link party. It looks an fantastic holiday with wonderful views as you travelled along. I am sorry you are having another battle with cancer after all this time and wishing you healing thoughts.
    Sarah x

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  51. I just stopped by to thank you for following my blog and to follow you back. Now, I read your post . . . I am so sorry . . . we will add you to our prayers. Steve

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  52. Absolutely stunning photos, dear Linda! What fabulous trip..you are a strong and gorgeous woman.
    Wishing good health to you now and always.

    I thank you so very much for stopping by my blog...I am your newest follower as well...
    Many blessings,
    - Irina

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  53. So wonderful to meet you and enjoy your real trip to France.I just might keep your trip to copy parts for My someday real trip.Thank you for visiting Me and following Me.Yes,I will follow you gladly :).....and prayers if you like, your way for complete recovery from your battle.Hugs your way Denise

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  54. Hello there lovely one.....this was indeed a beautiful party, and we are here to support you! Such sweet memories have been made here. LOVE! Anita

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  55. What a marvelous trip. I know that your return bout with cancer will be short and handily won. It looks like you have a great spirit and life partner to get you through. Lovely to meet you thanks to Anita. I look forward to seeing your next trip to celebrate your victory over the evil disease.

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  56. This trip looks great. We've some of these sights. I could go back and not complain a bit. ;)

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  57. Didn't know if you still will get a notification of a comment a long time after the post but here I am.

    Thank you so much for the link to your Barge Trip in Burgundy. I loved all the pictures of the barge, abbeys, wine caves, and Paris. I never get enough of travel posts.
    So nice you had your own chef. I can tell it was a wonderful trip. There is so much to see you can't see it all. I could do a long post each week on our trip but I think I am beginning to bore people.
    I liked your hair short. I admire your courage and strength. Blessings to you. Bonnie

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  58. What a beautiful trip! Ironically, my friend just posted on facebook yesterday how she visited the Rodin museum in Philadelphia. It is supposed to be a large collection. It looks like you visited some amazing sights. I am sure it was a trip to remember. Hoping you are in good health now. Thanks for linking up to the October Take Me Away Party!
    Shelley

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  59. I remembered this post from Anita's France link party and it was such a pleasure seeing it again for the "Take Me Away" party. It looks like it was an incredible trip!!! Thanks for "taking me away"!

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