How Far? Day 12 - France to Belgium By Boat

This journey seems epic, in a relatively short time. That's life - and suits us, we like moving.

I do have to tell you, it isn't just from Aramon (near Avignon) to Belgium - we actually commenced the voyage in Buzet Sur Baise. This tranquil village sits approximately between Toulouse and Bordeaux. So, you see, we actually journeyed south-east towards the Med before turning north and tackling a fair bit of the Rhone before Aramon!

We'd best get going, ready?

We'd stopped overnight at Dommarien. You can just see Rouge Corsair under the trees on the right - with another boat.

The locks open at 9am, so at 8 we walked into the village to see if we could locate some fresh bread.

While we found not one shop, we had a delightful stroll in a stunning village - the cleanest village we've ever seen. Isn't this the cutest shed?

I dabble in a little photography from time to time - what better place to do this than in the middle of France!

I have this urge to keep moving and always see what's around the next corner... Noel's the same. And then when I spot a garden gate such as this, it takes everything I've got to stop myself from peering inside!

Rouge Corsair tied up behind a French cruiser. We let the couple go first - there was a short delay with the lock doors not opening, but the VNF are quick and soon we were all on our way.

Fourteen years ago when we traversed these canals we were permitted to use tyres as fenders. Now, tyres can only be used when docking alongside a sloping bank. Alongside the canal they've found a great use for old tyres - brilliant!

It's a hard life! I've had to furl my WOBs flag (FB group Women on Barges) at it was taking a beating in the wind!

Today is tunnel day - all 5 kilometres of it. We have to keep 800 metres behind the vessel in front.

While puttering through the Tunnel De Balesmes we are asked to slow down (via Radio) - we have to keep to 4 km/h. With a huge 80 cm propellor this isn't easy. We ease Rouge Corsair in and out of gear to keep to the slow speed.

The helmsman's view- the windows instantly fogged up

Nearly there!

Made it!

We are now locking down, which is far easier than going up. However, sometimes the lock walls are crumbling and lines can become caught in cracks. We keep knives nearby - just in case. Now we press Avalant on our little box instead of Montant. Imagine how embarrassed I was when I radioed the lock-keeper to say the lock wasn't working. He tutted and laughed, "press Avalant not Montant!" - oops! Those more observant readers will notice the red light in the picture. We can only enter on a green light- so just what are we doing? Well, the light was green right up until we were next to it (and taking the picture).

A tenascious garden clinging to the lock wall.

Where we stopped for the night.

Making great progress.

We're the red circle, safe on a tranquil mooring.

We had just passed a commercial vessel which stirred up all the water. It was a tight squeeze with 2 metres in the centre and less than half at the edges!

Our view for the evening - no bad eh?

We traversed 23 kilometres and 16 locks today - oh, and 1 tunnel!