Luciole Blog

18th – 24th June 2023

The week could possibly be best remembered for the most unbelievable 20 minute thunderstorm of rain, lightening and crashing thunder.

The storm was ‘perfectly’ timed with the departure from the restaurant in Accolay. There could not have been more rain, so while we waited for the eye of the storm to pass, a few more glasses of wine were poured, before passengers made their way ‘home’ via the old ‘lavoir’ (washhouse). The laughter and jollity certainly matched the thunder.

On arrival back to the barge the Luciole bar was thoroughly explored, a tribute to Tina Turner resounded and was honoured with dance moves and vocal additions that brought the saloon to life. Just ‘The Best’ evening it was agreed. What a way to celebrate mid-summer solstice.

Earlier in the week, at our visit to Vézelay, the atmosphere was far more serene as Christopher enlightened us on the architecture of the famed basilica. There was also a drop by at Penny’s with the hope of Eric seeing or even hearing the elusive golden oriel at the bottom of the garden. Sadly not, but the resident swallows entertained us instead in the sunny evening sunshine.