Douai to Lock 7, kilometre 17.5, France Canal du St Quentin was next on our list, however another spanner in the works came this morning when Bob went online and discovered one of the bridges has been out of action for the last two weeks with no date provided for reopening: this really has been […]
With the issues we had experienced to date and a reasonably tight schedule to make it down to Paris that could go pear shaped should further issues occur, intending further trips down this way, the decision was made to only have a quick look around Douai. It’s a city with in excess of two millenia […]
Another pleasant day’s motor in which there were few stops for the pleasure boater. That at La Bassee has been earmarked for the year that we return to visit Calais and Ypres. Exiting Canal D’Aire, Gratis turned into Canal de la Deule, a major waterway for the working barges. Our eyes boggled in amazement at […]
Recent rains had commenced the process of flushing away the green algae and the gates at the lock were overflowing. It was a pleasant 30km or so motor along a waterway lined with a mix of forestation, farms, animals, and an occasional industrial site. Constructed in 1885, the boat lift was the work of British […]
Today was the UNESCO man and biosphere accredited 22,000+ hectare Maison du Marais experience. This region is comprises of marshes throughout which small channels run, all fed by the Aa or canal d’Aa. In operation since 13th century and the only French marsh to undergo continual cultivation, it is in this fertile landscape that generations […]
After a quiet night’s rest it was time to go. A beautiful motor – that included a short wait – along a waterway in which a multitude of smaller channels and additional canals joined. Past that leading to Calais went Gratis – that’s for another year. Oh yes!! The Frenchmen love their fishing. The history of […]
The climb commencing at the first of the locks, we soon left Dunkirk behind and entered the rural countryside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRRoKKOq3KI&feature=youtu.be Farmers going to and fro, carting their harvests in the trays, walkers and riders were all to be seen. Unlike the western most canal we had recently finished, this was a major channel and the […]
Dunkerque (Dunkerk, Dunkirk), meaning ‘Church of the Dunes’, was first recorded in the year 1067. As with many towns and cities within the region, World War Two wasn’t the only battle the peoples experienced. During the Middle Ages, the town was beleaguered and raided no less than half a dozen times, in addition to finding […]
A long day that saw us arrive on the outskirts of the small country town of Schengen, the town where numerous European countries met to write up the Schengen Agreement. One important aspect for the traveller is the time allowed in each country that signed on and became a member of the Schengen agreement. If […]
A distance of thirty kilometres travelled on this morning found us in Metz, a town with 3,500 years of history. Each invasion that took place saw alterations of one kind or another, and sadly much of the visual history had vanished into the annals of time. Metz, the Township Commencing life as a small Celtic […]
An easy run – except for the water hose to the engine popping off a few times before Bob discovered the reason, fantastic locks. Gratis is now upon the Moselle. During our travels, we came across workers upon a barge sandblasting one of the bridges.
Well, the break is over and we are back in Nancy and online once more, after visiting the most amazing sites: yes, finally a pic of the Matterhorn – that experience just blew us away! After a day of cleaning, shopping and laundry, the car is about to be returned and the canal sojourn recommenced. […]
Gentle relaxed car drive as Bob and I returned to Nancy in order to recommence our canal sojourn. Eleven kilometres north – east of our final destination, a short side trip into Saint-Nicolas-de-Port took place: the aim to visit the church, Saint Nicholas Basilica, Bob had read about. Situated in the Meurthe Valley, the town’s […]
After a wonderful week, we returned to France this afternoon and are spending the night in Molsheim. It’s back to Gratis tomorrow.
Another lazy start that eventually found us moseying through the Black forest for the last time: low cloud, left over from last night’s rain enshrouded the hills. Mountain wildflowers decorated the countryside – a gentle contrast to the greens – rain seemed to have brightened them. Moss decorated tree trunks, beautiful in the soft […]
Click the link to take you there. Look for the dates of the 17th – 23rd to read more on our car journey. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/
Our trip upon the Vosges has come to an end and that upon the Mosel is coming up. See the unexpected little critter. I was so intent on the flower that I only discovered him sitting there when going through the pics.
Yes, we are still alive. It is so remote that we have been out of internet range. Last night we moored at the bridge, Pont des Forges. The pic was taken whilst going through one of the locks. The Canal des Vosges is absolutely stunning and so much easier to do than the Canal du Midi/Canal du […]
With the pressure on to reach Germany, the decision to leave exploring the old part of Lyon until 2017 was made. Motoring out of the township was most pleasurable as we passed a juxtaposition of old and new. An imposing abbey stood tall upon the aged ramparts whilst in the lower walls tunnels led who […]
62.7km in 12 hours today. 7 of last 5 were hard work.
