15th - 21st June

This week we welcomed on-board a charter of 13 excellent people from the United States. Friends and colleagues for years working in a variety of positions in higher education. A group that loved their tours with the exceptional Anna, and loved a few bottles of red wine in the evenings! An extremely enjoyable week and one we are all very sad to see behind us. Group leader and organiser Tad, a veteran of 22 cruises, spoke a few words of encouragement after dinner on the final evening, claiming the food, ambience and crew of the Luciole set us apart from his previous experiences. With words as kind as that being said, what more could anyone need for job satisfaction?

Finally I would like to say a huge congratulations to our supremely talented captain Francisco, who this week received his certificate of naturalisation and finally after two years of toil, patience and paperwork became a French citizen. Needless to say we're all extremely proud of him. To top it off both Chile and France have qualified for the next round of the World Cup, so we have one happy captain.

England were not so fortunate, much to the dismay of the Matelot and real joy of our Scottish chef.

Sid seemingly enjoying the sights at Chateaux de Bazoches.  

The Luciole's own Captain Francisco receiving his citizenship at the naturalisation ceremony.

8th - 14th June

What a beautiful week to be in Burgundy and what an absolute scorcher we've had. Along with the sunshine and moments of parasol related drama we have 12 wonderful people all the way from the USA, plus one perfect British gentleman in the form of Donald, the father of our very own tour guide Anna. Another week of happy, gentle cruises, fascinating tours and flawless food. The Luciole in a nutshell.

World cup fever has also gripped the Luciole this week as Brazil opens the action. Three qualifying nations are represented on-board so best of luck to England, Chile and France.

Especially England.

 Acting-captain Donald at the helm successfully navigating a lock.

Captain Francisco aided in part by Host George attempts to tune the aerial in preparation for world cup action. 

1st - 7th June

It's the first week of June and summer has arrived in style in Burgundy. Along with the sun and summer cheer come 13 wonderful people from all across the United States. Friends who have travelled together every year for the last 27 years and found themselves in our little corner of France, and very glad we are to have them too.

The week was marked by slow, peaceful days of cruising, passengers walking in the sun or drinking cocktails on the deck. The evenings spent enjoying long, interesting discussions over a bottle of wine or two and of course chef Marcs marvellous creations. The pinnacle however was surely the group sing alongs after dinner, a tradition for many years amongst these guests and one we were all very glad to witness and have the good fortune to join them for on the final night. A great ending to an excellent week.

A sing-a-long after supper. Guitar unfortunately out of shot.

25th - 31st May

Peaceful, relaxed and happy. These words are synonymous with life aboard the Luciole, but never more so than this week. Our passengers cycling and walking in the sun, others inside enjoying a drink and reading a book, above it all the sounds of sweet music as Kevin plays on deck, well travelled guitar in hand and sheet music spread on the table. The perfect backdrop to a beautiful afternoon.

Again a week of great weather, bright early morning sunshine and glorious heat in the afternoon. No wonder so many guests chose to cycle down the towpaths and in some adventurous cases cycle straight off the beaten track exploring parts unknown.

Finally I would like to say a big congratulations to Colin and Katherine, the honeymoon couple, who joined us this week for the first leg of their 5 week trip. Here's to many years of happiness together.

Peter and Nik, who cruised with us in 2005, shared a picture with us from their last cruise. 

The Luciole is cruising round the bend, beneath Mailly-le-Chateau.  In those days, the path beside the canal could be rather unpredictable, nowadays its tarmac and so much nicer for walking or cycling along.

18th - 24th May

This week as we were without passengers the Luciole was moored up in the picturesque town of Clamecy, one of the usual weekend moorings of the barge. A good chance to touch up the paint and get some cleaning done, alongside soaking up the sun and the cycling excursions that is.

The latter half of the week was ours to occupy and saw the crew enjoying a long weekend in a variety of places. Francisco, Marc and Tom taking a turn as tourists with a visit to the Netherlands, George home to Dijon and Anna and Suzie remaining on-board having a lovely time without the boys.

A productive and very pleasant week, roll on the next one and our next group of guests.

The port of Clamecy seen from the wheelhouse of the Luciole

11th - 17th May

The Luciole season commences with our second group of passengers, and what a group they were. Australians, Americans and British all represented in this diverse, friendly and talkative group. Many hours of pilot training with captain Francisco were racked up by several of the passengers as the jokes flew from deck to wheelhouse and back again.

Spring was also making itself known as the sun emerged and the countryside bloomed into life, reminding us all of the rural beauty and serenity of Burgundy and the timeless canal du Nivernais.

A flawless early season week with fond farewells as new friends depart for Paris. A perfect way to put us all in high spirits and ready the crew for the coming weeks.

4th - 10th May

This was a week in which we aimed to do some promotional work. Camera man and BBC Producer Anthony Palmer joined us for week with the aim of producing a short video promoting bespoke charters. A lot was covered, the weather was on our side and many minutes of footage was captured.

On the Luciole you can now create your own bespoke charter, whether you are a group of females who prefer to relax in the spa, have cooking lessons from Mark and enjoy colour me beautiful events, or if you prefer the more adrenaline fuelled side of life and enjoy climbing cliffs or swinging through trees - you can now create your own itinerary.

The aim of this week was also to trial out the logistics regarding it all, and it was deemed extremely successful, laughing was contagious and constant all week long and a lot of fun was had. Joe reached great heights at cliff climbing and James discovered his true colours and that he required a change in wardobe, while the ladies relaxed at the spa.

A big thank you to all involved and especially to Ant for his hard work. Stay tuned for the video which will be arriving shortly.