On our penultimate day we were due to spend the morning in Arles, then motor up to Avignon in the afternoon. According to the itinerary, it looked as if we might be able to squeeze in a quick lunch before the boat sailed but there's many a slip, quite literally in this case.

As we were moored in Arles we were able to walk into town straight from the boat and we were met on the quay by our guides, who took us in slightly different directions around the same sites, taking in the Arena, the amphitheatre, parts of town connected with Van Gogh [of course] and after about 90 mins, ending in the Place de la Republique. Honestly I did not find our guide particularly interesting or informative, and I suspect that we'd have done as well on our own, but of course I didn't know that in advance, not being imbued with pre-cognition. After we the guide left us we fancied cup of coffee so we went down to the market and had coffees followed by a wander around the stalls; the fish and cheese looked particularly enticing but having nowhere to put them, I stuck to buying some pistachio nougat which was extremely yummy, and a cheap belt each for DH and DS.

Then I wanted to look at the Cloister next to the Cathedral which the green guide said was very beautiful but none of the others was interested so we agreed to meet at 12 - plenty of time for lunch, and get back to the boat for 13.30 or so we thought. The Cloisters were indeed lovely with some beautiful stone carvings, and very peaceful with very few visitors, though Arles itself was very busy, but it didn't take long to see them so having about 15 minutes to spare before we were due to meet, I went round the Cathedral itself, being warned at the entrance that it closed at noon, just like my 1978 green guide told me. Things change slowly in southern France. As the guide had indicated there wasn't that much to see but I spent €2 on illuminating the treasury and vestments for precisely 2 minutes before leaving just as the door was being locked.

I found a nice spot to sit and wait in the shade which was just as well because my friends had been delayed by all their shopping in the market and by the time we met up it was 12.30 and too late to risk trying to get lunch and get back to the boat on time. Tant pis! So we made our way back to the boat past all the lovely restaurants just to find that we couldn't board it anyway as one of the other boats which were moored up with it had decided to leave, so our boat was out in the middle of the river. Rats! It was 10 -15 minutes before we got back on board and within another 15 minutes we too had cast off and were heading back up river to Avignon for our last stop.

It was another lovely afternoon and we had a nice relaxing time sitting on the upper deck reading and chatting. Once or twice we had to move as we were going under a low bridge but most of the time we were able to sit out with no difficulty. To get under the bridges the boat's own bridge could be brought down by up to 6 feet or so, which enabled it to slip under the low bridges despite the high water, though it had gone down quite a lot in the space of a week. We also had a quick briefing about the next day when we would have a walking tour of Avignon followed by the rest of the day at liberty to do what we liked, and about leaving the boat at the end of the cruise.

After dinner the crew put on a show which was both brief [about 45 minutes] and very funny. lots of acting talent amongst these Eastern Europeans who put us to shame with their multi-language skills.

Tomorrow - Sur le pont? Sous le pont? - let's call the whole thing off.

I'm still following along, appreciating all you have to say about the trip.

thanks, Kathie. Glad you're still here.

I'm not sure why, but this is the fastest I've ever done a trip report - and [fingers crossed] it looks like I might complete it too, which may be another record!!

Great fun, annhig!

Just found your report and had a binge read ! What a great opportunity, and good onya for taking it up.

A European river cruise has been a distinct possibility for many years. We have taken two in SEAsia, very different of course, but similar in some ways.

Thanks for the journey...

Ann:

Many thanks for this. Always enjoy your posts and TR's as was the case with this. Interested in river cruising but have not pulled the trigger on such.

Always amazed that people on these boards can find innocent, and usually helpful comments to disagree on. Such events provide me with early morning enjoyment with my coffee.

Very interesting annhig, river cruises are heavily marketed here in Australia, mostly the Budapest-Amsterdam tour. Also much favoured by the over 70's, but just today, one of my patients (76) told me she's going solo and has selected the bike riding day options (70+ kms per day!) so some fantastically fit elderly travellers out there.

Always amazed that people on these boards can find innocent, and usually helpful comments to disagree on. Such events provide me with early morning enjoyment with my coffee.>>

I'm so pleased to have been able to provide you with early morning entertainment, Huggy. Thanks for your positive feedback!

and thanks too to Sartoric and Adeladean for your interest. I'd looked idly at river cruises before this and on balance might be more inclined to do one again, in the right circumstances, though I'll be more aware now of the need to check the itinerary carefully!

70 kms at 76? That's impressive. I hope she doesn't need serious treatment when she gets home!

Annhig
I didn't mean to hijack your TR and certainly didn't anticipate the cabin debate that ensued as a result. Apologies extended.

Still enjoying this report very much!

Enigmatic, eh?

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us.

I didn't mean to hijack your TR and certainly didn't anticipate the cabin debate that ensued as a result. Apologies extended.

Still enjoying this report very much!>>

don't worry about it, travelchat. I'm sure that quite unintentionally I've occasionally done the same thing; I'm glad you're still enjoying it with me.

Thanks to you too, FACS. I'll try to get the last day on board finished and posted this evening.

Jumping aboard for the ride!!!

Enjoying your report, Annhig -- thanks so much for sharing your travels.

thanks all for your interest, Avignon coming up.

I really have enjoyed reading your report. I think it's great that you went with your friend. I am wondering if would you want to do a cruise like this again?

Enjoyed your virgin cruise report . We still haven't done one - not sure if we ever will.

This report is especially interesting to me as I shall be doing a river cruise fir the first time this summer (the Douro). I do have some anxieties about aspects of it - the possibly regimented excursions, and also feeling cramped on a smallish vessel.

I am intrigued by your trip report, annhig. Like Paqngo, I wonder if you'd choose to cruise again.

I have several friends who are seeing the world aboard cruise ships (Europe, Asia, South America ...). They love everything about what this kind of travel offers them. At this time, cruises hold no appeal for my husband & me. But I suppose if an opportunity to join friend on a trip, I may just jump at it like you did!

Enjoying your report (as ever) Ann, but wishing there was more grubbing info!

sorry, RM67 - whilst the food was good none of it really stood out, so I would find it quite difficult to remember plus reporting on it might get a bit monotonous. However I can promise you a blow-by-blow account of the lavish Captain's Dinner at the end of our last day on board as I kept the menu!

As for whether I'd do it again, panqngo/2010, it wouldn't be my first choice, but were I to be thinking about travelling with someone who was happy to be organised and for whom not moving accommodation would be welcome, [I'm mainly thinking about my mum] then I would definitely consider it.

To answer your points, nonconformist, the regimented aspect of the excursions was occasionally a little difficult for me, but I was prepared for it and generally managed to get enough time to myself for it not to prove too irksome. As for feeling cramped, I didn't get that impression at all. Our cabin was no smaller than many I've stayed in on land, better equipped than some and there was plenty of space on board, especially when the sun-deck was open. The lounge was also very spacious and comfortable and apart from when there were special events like the crew show, there was loads of room for people to sit and chat or just listen to the pianist.

Nice to see you here jamikins - I can tell you that the wine list, though short, was very good so i'm sure you'd have liked that bit of it at least!

for those like Northie and 2010 - who knows what the future holds? 3 months ago if you'd told me I'd be spending a week on a river cruise and enjoying it I'd have laughed at you.

Who are you going with, nonconformist? I heard good things about the Duoro cruise from people on board who'd done one and DH's nephew really enjoyed the one he did a few years ago. The cruise manager on our trip was Portuguese and he was due to join a Riviera boat in about a month's time, so if you are travelling with them you might meet him!