Boats

I've been struggling with a back problem lately, and went out cycling this morning to try to ease it off.  I crossed the Dordogne river flood plain from north to south, and ended up on the banks of the river itself.  These boats are a common sight along the river bank.  Someone told me once that the owners deliberately half sunk them, tipping out the water only when they wanted to use them.  Whether it was to preserve the wood or prevent theft was never clear to me.  My extra is of another boat just a few metres further along.