We board the Roi Soleil.
Guillaume de Perthuis picked us up promptly at 4 pm in his new 8-seater mini van. It was like old home week. We had become quite close to “Skippy” on our previous cruise…and we had kept in touch with him over the intervening years. We caught up on the news of each other’s families…and enjoyed a short half-hour drive to Beziers.
We ducked down a little alley, rounded a bend, and there she was, Roi Soleil, shining in all her glory as she rocked gently in the current. As all of the staterooms are the same size, we drew straws for room selections…and after meeting our crew… settled into our accommodations. Just as we remembered…plenty of closet room and lots of space under the bed for luggage. Captain Finnegan announced that we would be shoving off soon…as we had to go though two locks before the lockkeepers went home for the night. We amused ourselves watching Guillaume and Finnegan guide the 100-foot long craft into the narrow lock openings…and before we knew it, Karen presented us with the first of Chef Dean’s gastronomic creations: hot appetizers served on the foredeck. It was a special moment…made all the more so by the anticipation of adventures to come.
Click for Day 1 video