View from out the back of our wheelhouse - I do tidy up sometimes.

The evening light promised some beautiful colours.

And here they are - a perfect sunset.

As we continue north on the Canal du Nord, we noticed that the houses started to take on a more Holland-ish appearance.

An empty barge. You can clearly see that the helmsman would only see us if we were a long way in front. The bow blocks their vision.

In all the locks, going down, you must not be too near the rear doors because of this ledge. We've seen one boat suffer severe damage with this mistake.

All the locks are different. Here you can see the column where a floating bollard lived once-upon-a-time. (Or it could have been a pole to put your lines around). Instead we use the ladder (kidding!). We use the bollards, simply moving the line up (or down) gradually.

An old lift lock. You can see the "bath" at the top where one barge is - and one at the bottom. They have a similar method in Canada (Peterborough Lift Lock) which we traversed a few years ago in a different boat. Hydraulic rams smooth transport the boats up or down. We think this would make a neat house renovation project! Here's a YouTube video of the one in Canada (it's a tourist boat, we were too busy oohhing and arrhhhing to take a video when we locked through!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCwvfRXcopE

This is us in the Peterborough Lift Lock (some years ago). You drive into a big bath tub and go up (or down) very smoothly. In Ontario - stunningly beautiful! We did The Great Loop on our ten metre sailboat... I must post more pictures on this - it was a magnificent journey.

Just while we are in Canada, have you seen this? It is the Big Chute Marine Railway - it's a boat lift at lock 44 of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada. It works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet (18 m). It is the only marine railway (or canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America still in use, and is overseen by federally operated Parks Canada. It was an exciting time in Ontario!

Back in France. We came along these signs. The first is pay particular attention, the second is the maximum speed...

The third sign in a VHF radio channel. The fourth sign means no passing and the fifth sign is telling us to move to the other side of the channel!

And this is what it was all for. Work on the canal. It was Sunday and no work was taking place.

After the work-site pictures, we came across the beautiful blush of autumn.

A grand maison.

Starboard to Dukerque!

Dunkerque here we come.

About eight kilometres out of the centre of Dunkerque we found a tie up place. The clouds were closing in, so we thought it best to stop.

It was getting late too. The lovely couple on the commercial barge behind us said it was fine to stop here and they gave us power and water (for a small fee).

Not a pretty mooring - but safe and quiet.... and then we received the bad news. More on the next blog post.

We started early and had moored right by Ruyaulcourt Tunnel (4.4km – passing point in the centre).

The proof! It's getting cold and it's 6:37 am!

Another tunnel, this one was wider. We're a dab hand at these now.

The fresh autumn morning was balm for our weary souls. Yet another beautiful day. We are on the 95km canal from the Canal de la Sensee (Liaison Dunkerque-Escaut Grand Gabarit) at Arleux to the Canal lateral a l'Oise at Pont l'Eveque.

It started to grey over.... then the traffic begun...

Lots of double locks here - side by side - so they are quick.

Left to Dunkerque!

Full loaded - check out the bow wave.

You can see how these blunt bows really have to push a lot of water.

A celebration here - no idea what it was for. There was a large picture of a couple strung up between the boats - perhaps a wedding? (The picture was strung up, not the couple! lol!)

The Wacky Races! Two locks, side by side, disgorged several boats at once. There was no courtesy of 'you were first' it was Wacky Races, see who could get in front!

When all the boats cleared we then wondered what was going to be loaded on our deck!

Nothing! We're safe.

The traffic calmed leaving us to enjoy the pretty views along the canals.

A bit of an idea where we are - we are the red circle. We traversed 12 locks and made 76 kms!

So near the coast.

Amazing progress, we are rather chuffed that we haven't suffered any holdups - have I spoken to soon?.... watch this space...

The clouds put on a beautiful display for the evening. You can just see a commercial barge coming towards us under the bridge. We had four or five pass us after we stopped.

And we're off! A grey day brightened by a pretty narrow boat.

Pleasant sights as we putter along.

Autumn blush starting to gather momentum.

There are few locks now. We are by ourselves much of the time. I have my super-duper wet-weather pants on - which I ripped! Grrrrrrrrrr.

Looking out the back of the lock. No, wait, we were going down. Looking out the front!

Seeking a place for the night. Not here!

Noel became quite excited watching this neat little machine chew up the banks growth.

Here we are by the end of the day.

Do these names ring any bells?

Dunkerque possibly tomorrow! Great progress!