BY BARGE, SAILBOAT, CAMEL, HORSE OR BIKE!         
Noel & Jackie's Journeys
  • Our Travels
  • About Us
  • Our Books
  • Gift Store
  • Contact
  • Travel Photos

Day 15 - France to Belgium by Boat

9/18/2015

2 Comments

 
Feeling refreshed after a day off and having had enjoyed kindred spirit company, it's time to leave.

Picture
It wasn't long before we are at another tunnel - although this is much shorter than the last.
Picture
Even though you know you fit - at the last minute you always wonder....
Photo
In this tunnel I particularly liked the top of the wall. The sharp metal edge protrudes out at about the same height as the lines on the fenders - perfect height to slice through them!
Photo
You can see the top edge better here. When a moving vessel is near to a structure such as a wall, bank, or another vessel, there is a sucking motion, called barge effect (venturi effect). This is why you should slow down when passing other vessels. The same happens when moving in shallow waters, you are sucked down (called sucking the bottom!) - so we were keen to try not to get sucked into this wall.
Picture
Pretty lock-keepers cottage.
Picture
Even prettier view!
Picture
Can you see the Heron? They always fly off in front of our bow - even though, I find it hard to take a decent shot!
Picture
France provides wonderful (and often free) mooring quays.
Picture
This is the lovely Jill from Matilda Rose. Don't be fooled by her sweet smile - look carefully to the right of her left shoulder. There's a black triangle with two red lights. this means the lock has a problem - and Matilda Rose has just come through the lock!
In all fairness, Jill and Graham did not intentionally cause a delay on the lock, they were merely chatting to the lock-keeper who invited them (and then us) for coffee. If you spend too long in the lock when you are supposed to leave, then it gets in a pickle and stops working. 
Picture
Double trouble - Rouge Corsair and Matilda Rose (Narrow Boat) - Jill and Graham have spent many years on board traversing the UK canals and now France.
Picture
(l to r) Noel, the lock-keeper, Graham and Jill. We all enjoyed a strong cup of coffee and some biscuits - then out came the pear schnapps!
Picture
The lock-keepers wife joined us and we all sampled the schnapps - except Jill who rather sensibly declined. The lock-keeper dunked a sugar lump in the liquid for my try - as I chewed on half a lump my head became instantly light - Noel muttered something about feeling numb after he took a sip! I'm guessing the thick liquid was about 100% proof!
Picture
It was time to move on. Another lock-keeper had got the lock back to working order and we bid our farewells. I hope our bows will cross another time with Jill and Graham and the lovely, homely Matlida Rose.
Picture
Picture
Munching a bag of apples that Matlida Rose donated to Rouge Corsair (thank you!) - we enjoyed the fine views and the endless flowers that the French take pride in displaying.
Picture
Picture
The lock-keepers' gardens usually have interesting items on show - here, we think, is a sluice box for panning (for gold?).
Picture
And here's our fabulous tie up for the night. Free power and water too.
Picture
Picture
About 100 metres along the bank from our mooring was this small grave - no higher than my knees. Respectfully I asked the occupant if I could take a photo - they didn't protest. I hope their life was a happy one.
Picture
And here are the maps to show you where we are.
Picture
Picture
There are more interesting characters to introduce you to along the way - I hope you will join us on board tomorrow.
2 Comments
Astrolabe Sailing link
9/18/2015 03:34:27 am

gorgeous pics as usual! Making great progress and having fun along the way

Reply
Glen Barrera link
9/18/2015 10:19:27 am

Such tranquility...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Follow us on FB to
    receive new blog posts 

    Further Reading

    Read more on our sailing, horse, barge and bike escapades here

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.