Basic HTML Version
82
winter
|
spr ing
views and the history. A gala goodbye dinner awaits on deck.
In between these shore excursions, there is plenty of time for
reading, talking, writing, napping, walking, bicycling, playing board
games (we expected at least one day of rain that would keep us indoors
to play such games, but we didn’t get any precipitation), and a game
of Boules (the French version of bocce), during which we were soundly
beaten by Nick. I believe we all ate too much, drank too much, talked
too much, and probably laughed too much, but I don’t believe anyone
gained any weight. Don’t ask me why.
Saturday it’s off to Paris for our boat mates, and we head out to
meet our daughter, Lily, and her husband, Jeremy; we have another two
and a half weeks to spend in Europe!
SAYING GOODBYE
The question most commonly asked by a company of a
prospective employee’s former employer is “Would you hire this person
again?” If the answer is “No,” that pretty much ends the prospective
employee’s chances of getting the job. If the answer is “Yes,” on the
other hand, the job is probably theirs.
So, the question for me is: “Would you go on another barge trip or
river cruise on the Aprés Tout? And, the answer is: “Yes, in a heartbeat.”
I learned more about this special place called Bourgogne or
Burgundy than I ever would have or could have in any other way. Nick
Borland’s love and appreciation of the region’s wines and his storytelling
abilities were second to none, and the way he imparted that knowledge
was compelling... and fun. Hannah’s quiet confidence, efficiency,
pleasant mannerisms, and her ability to connect with guests in a quiet
and disarming way were both delightful and reassuring. Caroline’s
non-stop enthusiasm and deftness with local cuisine had us devouring
each of her dishes with gusto. Some of her recipes, accompanied by
Hannah’s unique and playful illustrations and photos, can be found in
the Aprés Tout “Recipe Collection,” for sale online and onboard.
And finally, there is Rory. He was the man who never slept, never
stopped. If he wasn’t steering the craft through yet another lock, he was
repairing a broken screen, or repainting part of the hull, polishing the
brass, or burnishing the teak deck. He positively reeked of competence
and professionalism and via those attributes has put together a crew
that convinced each of us that we’d made a friend for life.
The beds were comfortable, our sleep was sound, the food was
superb, the companionship rewarding, the boat or barge beautifully
maintained, and the crew helped make it an absolutely glorious but
way-too-short excursion.
It was an experience you too will probably want to repeat “in a
heartbeat.”
Bon voyage
!
Everything is pre-paid on an Aprés Tout cruise: there are no other
costs to guests other than your initial fee and/or, of course, whatever you
may tip the crew before departure. All other excursions, museum fees,
wine tasting, lunches, and dinners on board or on shore, are part of the
package. You are invited to visit their website at: www.bargeaprestout.com.
THE LAUNDRY AND THE MAYORS
T
he village of Reulle-Vergy is one of perhaps three villages boasting a
unique multi-purpose building: a combined city hall and public laun-
dry facility. The Mairie, up a flight of stairs on the outside of the building, is
the office of the mayor (maire); just below is the laundry. The combination
was created so that the mayor could stay current with all the local “news”
and gossip by simply going downstairs and either listening to the ladies
talk while doing laundry, or speak with them and ask them questions. “It
was a great way to get a good read of what was important in the village,”
says Nick, who observed that, “paying attention to those concerns would
probably give him a leg up in his reelection campaign.”
TRAVEL