technology is a pain!

Burgundy summers are synonymous with fresh fruit and veg, chilled rose wine with lunch on the terrace and electrical storms!
Here at Hotels Afloat, the latter has struck again, for the second time this season.
The first strike, at the beginning of the summer, blew the modem so despite having invested in a satelite system for internet access thus cutting the risk of losing the phone lines as in 2008, we were cut off from cyber space for 5 days. Thank goodness for iphones!
Last week, the phone didnt ring all day. Nor did the fax line, but with so much to do on the email front I didnt take much notice until I tried to make an international call. The noise on the line was rather akin to those first broadcasts from the moon: rather fitting I suppose given the recent anniversary! My partner suggested that perhaps the line was drowned.... after torrential rain the manhole covers were all brimming. 6 days later, it's blazing hot, dry as a desert, and still no line. France Telecom, bless them, can finally send me an engineer tomorrow, just 8 days after I registered the break down.
SO, if you have tried to call us over the last week, I can only offer my sincere apologies and a word of advice. Never, but never, have a breakdown of any nature during the summer holidays in France.
Hotels Afloat is alive and kicking, and will be kicking a technicians' b..t tomorrow if he cant get the line working again.
In the meantime, If you want to take advantage of our early booking discounts for next year, please send me an email at hotelsafloat@aol.com
or call me on +33 614 250 200 and I will call you straight back.
Speak soon!

The Nivernais canal

The Nivernais canal is one of the most beautiful in France. The scenery changes as you cruise gently along from rolling hills, to vineyards to cliffs! For the sporty, there is an excellent cycling path and for those who would rather take it easy, there is the Luciole.

This beautiful hotel barge, originally a working barge transporting goods, was loving converted by it's current owners, John and Penny Lilley, to accomodate up to 14 guests in comfortable, homely surroundings.

When I have been fortunate enough to visit, Penny has made me most welcome, and I have come away with a smile on my face and a full stomach! Yes, Penny and her cook prepare some of the most sumptious meals to be had aboard a boat. Her secret? Fresh ingredients bought daily and prepared with the utmost care. I only wish that I had more free time so that I could arrange an inspection trip each season!

This season has proved difficult for many hotel barges, and indeed a number of the larger barges have disappeared. John and Penny have fared extraordinarily well with many weeks completely sold out. The secret? A fresh approach ie adapting to the current market place with a number of tempting discounts.

We still have a few cabins available, and are currently offering an incredible deal: Just 2000 USD per person! This represents a saving of about 40%. Dates remaining are July 19th, July 26th, and August 9th.

Call me on +33 380 39 29 38 or email me at hotelsafloat@aol.com

for the deal of a lifetime!

The joy of home grown vegatables

Fresh lettuces, radishes, tomatoes, spring onions from the garden, and our first fig! These are the signs that summer is now really here, apart from the heat of course.
This season I decided to grow carrots and turnips, hoping to put some away for the winter months, but a new recipe caught my eye and I now doubt that we will have any veg left for the winter.
Take baby carrots and baby parsnips, wash them thoroughly, trip the green to within 1 inch of the veg itself. Either steam or boil until almost cooked: Do NOT over cook if you wish to preserve the flavour and vitamines. Drain the veg. Heat a nob of butter in a heavy frying pan, add a generous teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt, then the veg. Stir regulary until the veg are glazed, usually 10 minutes. Simply delicious, expecially with lamb.

Of course, it's not easy to find time for gardening as business is good depsite the economic crisis. Hotels Afloat has discounts of up to 40% so if you fancy cruising in France this year, and perhaps tasting some fresh veg bought from a lock-keeper, send us an email at
hotelsafloat@aol.com

You'll be glad you did.