Spring in Burgundy! It may be asked what a hotel barge does during the closed season… mostly it involves preparation for the open season!

This year we are gong single-use plastic-free. I touched on the subject previously but with an ethos of caring for the environment which we all enjoy, and with the revelation that cola-cola produces 3,000,000 tonnes of plastic waste a year, we all need to be part of the solution by following the simple mantra: reduce, reuse, recycle. Therefore by following the first item on the list we are reducing. A filtered and chilled fountain has been fitted in the wheelhouse saloon, et voila! Chilled drinking water on tap and no more plastic bottles!

We enjoy yachting and the style and ambiance of the Randle; therefore during the spring we start re-varnishing. Each piece of exterior mahogany has at least six coats of traditional tung oil varnish. The finished effect is boating personified. And it must be said, for a steel boat there does seem to be rather a lot of varnishing, but it is worth it!

Re-varnishing deck hatches In the boathouse

The anchor winch ready for another season’s cruising.

Cruising aboard the Randle is not just all about boating; there are many off boat activities to enjoy too. Walking is a very popular activity and with open access to the surrounding countryside, I have been enjoying planning outings for this coming season. And with the region populated for at least 28,000 years there is a fascinating history to explore too. We especially enjoy walking in the steps of the Roman legionnaires along the 2,000 year old Roman road, the Via Agrippa.

The 2,000 year old Roman road, Via Agrippa, through the woods in Burgundy

The View from the Roman hill fort of Camp Cora.

Congratulations to one of our favorite restaurants, the Chateau Vault-de-Lugny, for its shiny new Michelin star. You can dine at the Chateau when cruising with us, and evening chauffeur service is included.

Dine at the Michelin starred Chateau Vault-du-Lugny

As we look forward to the coming Spring and Summer, I leave you with a dream of Burgundy,

Rêver, je ne plus attendre rêver, pourtant, j’adore rêver ..
Dream, I can not wait to dream again, why?, I love to dream ..

Bon voyage toute le monde!

Tim Harrold is owner and captain of the Randle, a beautiful and classically styled river boat fitted with two en-suite cabins and all the modern facilities to travel in comfort. Tim offers private barge tours on the picturesque Burgundy Canal du Nivernais and river Yonne. A luxury cruise with Tim and his crew includes gourmet cuisine, fine wine, and guided tours by private car to vineyards and chateaux. Learn more about Edge Charter and barge trips on the Randle along Burgundy's canals and rivers here. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.