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How Far? Day 12 - France to Belgium By Boat

9/14/2015

4 Comments

 
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?
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We'd stopped overnight at Dommarien. You can just see Rouge Corsair under the trees on the right - with another boat.
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The locks open at 9am, so at 8 we walked into the village to see if we could locate some fresh bread.
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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?
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I dabble in a little photography from time to time - what better place to do this than in the middle of France!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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Today is tunnel day - all 5 kilometres of it. We have to keep 800 metres behind the vessel in front.
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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.
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The helmsman's view- the windows instantly fogged up
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Nearly there!
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Made it!
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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).
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A tenascious garden clinging to the lock wall.
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Where we stopped for the night.
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Making great progress.
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We're the red circle, safe on a tranquil mooring.
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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!
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Our view for the evening - no bad eh?

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

4 Comments
Glen Barrera link
9/14/2015 08:48:52 am

Beautiful. I can almost smell the dank of that tunnel.

Reply
Jackie link
9/18/2015 03:00:13 am

Wish we had smelli-net! lol!

Reply
Clyde Ricker
9/14/2015 11:36:00 am

what an adventure. Can't wait for the book. Hope your next one is moving. Along! As I wait for it I am keep in reading material by John Kretschmer. Another crazy sailor

Reply
Jackie link
9/18/2015 02:59:35 am

Thanks Clyde, great to have you along with us. Next book is moving on - and I must say - it is turning out beautifully! I love being in the company of other 'crazies!' lol!

Reply



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