Well, how things can change. I left Lyon, and planned a 4 day journey to St. Jean de Losne, which is the unofficial hub of the inland waterways of France. Restocking, getting a few essentials and especially fuel, in preparation for my journey northwards on the Canal de Vosges to Nancy, and then the Mosel River. BUT.
It turns out that the Canal de Vosges is closed for the rest of the year, and all the other routes north are under restrictions or closed, from Covid stuff (north-eastern France has been particularly hard hit), or from lack of water (I had my first day of rain in a long while on Wednesday). SO, I have spend some days exploring all the options, including a retreat from getting boatwork done in The Netherlands. When I got to St. Jean de Losne, I spoke with the VNF (French Waterways people) and was assured that the western route (Canals du Centre, Loire, Briere and Loing) was still open, and the best possible option. Sounds fine to me, as this was the route I had planned to explore last year, but which was closed due to lack of water. So I have backtracked to Chalon sur Saone, where the Canal du Centre joins the Saone, and I will attempt the steep climb up this canal.
Chalon is especially attractive, and they have a vast floral mural which is on a point of land between the branch of the river to their marina, and the main river. 
A particularly appropriate display for this year! I do hope that the coming canal experiences are a little more photogenic than the Saone river, which while very gentle, is really green banks, an occasional bridge or powerline, and not so much else!
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