On the Basse Saonne River to Lyon

John stayed aboard for two and half weeks travelling up the Meuse River, onto the Marne au Rhin and then via Toul to the Moselle.

As we moved along the various waterways the conditions were changeable. The Meuse was a locked River not unlike a small version of the Murray, except the locks, about 5km apart were all automatic. A few hundred metres from the lock a sign "here hier ici" would indicate that HERE we should press our yellow remote garage door control and activate the lock.

A series of red and green lights told us it was okay to enter and secure ropes. Then lift a lever/long rod to close the gates and lock us up or down.

Once the new level was established the gates would open and a sensor tracked our departure.

After Paigny (the VNF took away our yellow remote) the Marne au Rhin was video and human control. A long tunnel and 13 locks in quick succession led us to the Moselle and big locks (ecluses) with human control. Easy!

Then onto the Vosges Canal. In a distance of 122kms we went over a hill with 150 metre rise and fall and 93 locks. We spent more time with locks than the time motoring. Lovely narrow green canal and a new Grey remote control!

John at bow monitoring the junction Meuse to Marne au Rhin

Friends Liz and Scott flew into Paris and by train to Nomexy (a not very famous town) and we were tied up in a Halte Fluviale only 200 metres from the station.

Le Bateau coped with 4 people for 3 nights but record heat had us looking for shade in the afternoons. 46deg down South but we only had high Thirties!

Liz and Scott in Epinal

John jumped ship in Epinal and went to Paris for some sightseeing (and heat) on the way home. John and I enjoyed each other's company.

The town of Gray had some very narrow lanes

A typical sign at an ecluse showing distances to towns in either direction

Once we left the Canal design Vosges we encountered a new system. We deposited our remote control in an automated receptacle and then we were "released" onto the Petite Saone River. On this stretch the activation was done via a plastic pipe hanging down from a cross River cable. Once mastered it was simple.

Sign describing the required forward twist of the Poly pipe

Scott reaching out to the pipe

The three tunnels we traversed were well controlled and lit and all of us enjoyed the transits. When you look at the engineering it is pretty special.

One of the two Saonne tunnels (with Sodium"street"lightning)

A full commercial silo setup

On the Basse Saone we were told to expect heavy traffic but that was far from the truth. A bit featureless in parts but generally quiet and easy travelling with an abundance of stops.

Grain loading

Tied up to steep bank at a friendly private place.

Sign in 3 languages telling us about returning the remote control.

The receptacle, all very effective.

The skipper swimming with his waterproof camera.

Liz at one of the many bath/wash houses we encountered.

A bit of excitement at Belleville with an armed robbery and bullet wound for a bystander.

Ants went to the local BricoMarche (Bunnings) to get a gas refill but just some crime violence (and no gas)

Plenty of police presence

Public tie up in Chalon

Liz and Scott looking for an ice-cream shop in Chalon

An unfortunate yacht outside an ecluse. Engine fire??

Concours de Elegance at Belleville Car Club picnic

Tied up in the heart of Lyon

Arriving in Lyon was amazing after lots of quiet countryside into a city of a couple of million people. Stunning architecture and old, old cobblestone and narrow winding chemin (lanes)

The Lyon cathedral was stunning on a hilltop and superb inside decor

Some beautiful steep steps coming down from the cathedral

Stunning modern architecture

We assume these are residential

The confluence museum at Rhone Saone junction.

Now on the mighty Rhone. We are near a Nuclear power plant

And we found a quiet shallow spot to anchor just down River. We hope we won't glow in the morning!

At our anchorage in 5 metres in mud bottom the constant noise is from frogs doing duck impersonations. Truly like ducks.

Cruise Hotel Ship and nuclear plant

A simple to use floating bollard in the massive Rhone locks

180metres long , 12 metres wide and a 10 metre drop! About 20million litres to lock us through!!

Now on the Rhone and this is a big river with big locks but not much traffic. By next week we will be near the Mediterranean Coast and turning East for Canal du Midi and eventually Bordeaux. So far the plan is working and Liz and Scott may leave the boat in Beziers to go to Spain for a language course.