March 1, 2000

Spring has sprung, and while our barge is undergoing a make over, we have time to enjoy the warm weather by exploring our neighborhood. We are close to the Canal du Rhone au Rhin, and it is one of our favorite walks.

We usually stop to talk with one of the American or English couples that are wintering there at the Bourgogne Marine harbor. It is nice to be able to speak English again, and we have learned so much from these conversations. They have given us many remodeling tips and good advice about living on a barge.

Toby really enjoys this walk, because he can be off his leash most of the time. When we stop to talk with other boaters, he has plenty of time to stop and smell the French countryside.

We don't always hang out in the country though, sometimes we go to Paris just to sit in a café and watch the world go by. We love the hot dogs at the Madrigal on the Champs-Élysées, and a rainy day is a good excuse to linger longer while enjoying the passing parade.

Toby loves Paris too. He is turning into quite the French sophisticate, and he is even beginning to look French.