The environment is rarely out of the news, what with Polar bears being shot and the oceans awash with plastic, our very existence has an impact on the environment, therefore we tread lightly.

Early morning on the Canal du Nivernais

Cruising along the canal we are surrounded by nature, we therefore try to do as much as possible to tread lightly. There has been much news about single use plastics, it is interesting how what has somehow become the norm was until few years ago not even an issue. In Rural France cafés still serve coffees in china cups and and grocers still use paper bags and display their produce in open trays, and no self respecting French shopper would be seen with plastic bags! It always has been the norm to to bring your own.

Not much plastic to be seen in this typical French grocer’s store.

And its cherry season in Burgundy too !

Aboard the Randle we are moving towards a single use plastic free existence for 2019. Of course we recycle, and our fishing net comes in handy for recycling the odd bottle we find floating in the canal too! But it is far better to reduce waste or reuse than it is to recycle.

Breakfast aboard the Randle

Also our carbon emissions are reduced further by using the waste heat from the engine to provide hot water and central heating when cruising.

Come to Burgundy, cruise with us  through this beautiful landscape in the knowledge that we are treading lightly.

Enjoy a private Barge Vacation

And cruise through a sea of Sunflowers !

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.