A Fortified Township Some twenty or so kilometres north of Calais is the hidden secret of France: a town that goes by the name of Gravelines. Bob and I would have delighted in taking Gratis upon the canal leading into the township, but sadly, the depth had become too shallow. Set amongst sand dunes situated […]
Calais: An Ancient History To ride around Calais is to view the remnants of a once great town that was annihilated during WWII. Bob and I discovered it was an ancient city that like the Phoenix has risen from the ashes….. About Calais When modern humans first arrived at the site of which would […]
Travel the Nieuwpoort – Dunkerque and Furnes Canals Summer had at last arrived and with it, the duckweed!!!! With clear blue skies and a heat that rivals that found in Adelaide on a normal summer’s day, Gratis was on the move once more. What a difference to last year’s cold and rain! In order to […]
Entering the locks continually caused issues as the fenders rose upon connecting with, then proceeding to run along the walls. This in turn meant the hull was no longer protected and Gratis new paintwork was damaged. Today we experimented with the fenders by lowering them until they sat horizontally upon the water rather than vertically […]
An early start – as starts went, that was when locks didn’t open until 9am – on a grey drizzly day, yet not that cool: a change pleasant change to the heat of the sun beating down. The numbering system recommencing at ‘one’, the downward journey upon the Golbey Stair case – 15 locks one […]
Waiting for the lock keepers to arrive at work, I had time for a play with my macro lens in this idyllic setting. So spectacularly different to the so popular Midi which is known for its towns, castles and Cassoulet. This trip through the Vosges Mountains was truly one for the nature lover: the […]
Welcome to Canal des Vosges!! At pk 147.4, Gratis entered the first of 93 narrow locks, less three because Gratis would be entering L’embranchement de Nancy prior to the canal’s conclusion. Operated by lock keeper, here we were handed the automatic wireless device that would open the gate of most locks along the canal and […]
Countryside was much like that of previous days and Corre being a plain overnight stopover, there were no photos this day. This was an easy morning with just three locks to contend with and an afternoon for relaxing in Corre. Despite being described as 1.80+ metres in depth, there were spots where the river was […]
After an uneventful motor, we turned into the Saone and arrived in Lyon yesterday arvo. We also discovered the lock system at the entrance had been disabled and it was possible to motor right on in. A swan family resided within the marina compound.
After three and a bit very pleasant relaxing days, we were on our way up the Rhone once more. Levels had continued falling thank goodness. Our initial plan had been that of motoring the short distance to Givors, where a new water heater (it hadn’t rained but hailed, when various items gave up the ghost […]
A pair of white swans have their abode within the marina. This afternoon, espying Bob working on deck, they visited Gratis in search of a meal. Damsel flies and fluorescent greens and blues lazed upon the mooring lines, whilst small birds twittered merrily away.
