2018 Journey on Maps Vlissingen, Netherlands to Paris, France Return to Vlissingen, Netherlands   Maps used come from Tom Sommers books on France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The first of October brought the first of the chilling wind and rain that foretold the coming of Winter: ‘bone numbing’ were the words to describe it. Winter woollens and rain jackets came out, but for those out on the helm, there was nothing to stop that aching chill. Passing through the final tunnel of […]

The 26th saw us departing Cergy and commencing our return journey up the Oise. Colours were slowly turning, but as with all years, our October departure meant we would miss their full glory. A lone pilot drew our attention at one stage. For me, it was a time where successfully helming into the locks came with greater ease […]

The highlight of the day was visiting the remains of Machine de Marly, another link to Chateau Versailles. Along the way were information boards containing images from well known Impressionists and details about the history of the machine.   Situated just down from the lock, approximately 12km from Paris by road, in its day, this […]

Our time in Paris had come to an end for this year, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last of our visits. To our delight, our friends, Anne and Cliff chose to journey to Vlissingen with us. Intending to travel via the St Martin and St Denis canals for something different, this wasn’t to be. […]

Bob and I were busy exploring on this hottest of days. Also known as the National Museum of Natural History, the Jardin des Plants has an interesting history and during spring would be spectacular. Unfortunately being both a drought year, and the end of season, the garden wasn’t at its best, so no pics I’m […]

Arriving at the Arc de Triomphe, Bob and I circumnavigated the structure before arriving at the entrance to the pedestrian tunnel that led the visitor beneath the road and up to the base of this impressive structure. Constructed at the behest of Napoleon in the early 1800’s, its purpose was to honour the French troops […]

What a day! First off the Notre Dame. Today an iconic structure, but in an earlier time, it was Victor Hugo’s novel, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ that brought this Gothic landmark to the world’s attention. Situated on Ile de la Cite, a small island in the centre of the River Seine and Paris, this […]

Day two at Versailles……… Discovering how large the estate was, Bob and I arrived just prior to lunch. Would you believe the crowd was four lanes across and growing! Thank goodness we visited the chateau yesterday. Did we really think we were going to see all in the gardens today? Not a chance we discovered. […]

A dream come true for me personally: what a birthday present!!!! Only 16km from the centre of Paris and easily reached via rail, set on 800 hectares of land, this French Gothic masterpiece with its English styled gardens was the dream child of Louis IV, the Sun King. Luxurious, opulent, ostentatious, extravagant, lavish and grandiose […]

Opening in 1859 as a railway in 1859, the line took travellers from Bastille to the suburb of Verneuil l‘Etang. Taking six years to complete and a short distance from the Arsenal Marina, this 1.5km link comprised of a 64 vaulted viaduct – Viaduc de la Bastille and tunnels. Operating for just over a century, […]

  Our intention to enter Bras de Marly via the Bougival Lock didn’t take place today. Both lights having turned red late the evening before, they still remained so at 10am this morn. Radio and phone calls to request entry unanswered, we continued upstream on the northern arm and entered the Chatou Lock instead. We […]

  Yesterday, was the time for us to depart Vernon and point Gratis’ bow Paris way. Without exception, we shall return and continue on to the mouth of the Seine in the near future. Except that the weather and light for photography was greatly improved, this return trip to Limay was just a repeat of […]

From Vernon, an 8km bike ride soon found us at the township of Giverny and the iconic gardens of impressionist, Claude Monet. Two bits of advice are to pre – purchase tickets online and to ensure you visit on a day when the large river cruise ships aren’t in. On arrival at their new home, […]

Although a grey hazy day, the Seine River heading west just beautiful. This year’s journey on the whole, really has been about the scenery. Appearance of white cliffs reminding the traveller of the White Cliffs of Dover was a pleasant surprise. Passing the township of Gargenville, high in the cliffs rectangular black holes were reminders […]

Completing the motor upon the beautiful Oise, Gratis passed the row of boat yards and barges, then turned right onto the Seine. You’re probably saying about now, ‘Hang on, you are meant to be heading toward Paris, not away.’ Yes we will be, but with a few days up our sleeve, we made the decision […]

A bridge crossing away from the ancient township of Cergy is the Etang le Cergy. A combination of walking/cycling paths, it has practically everything for a relaxing weekend or holiday. Picnic areas with BBQs, a massive lake, woods, climbing adventure, ski – ing: it was all there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcenwteRHp4 Watching the training dogs for water rescue […]

September! It can’t be already! At last, blue skies provided the most vibrant of colours on this pleasant no drama day motor down the Oise So often, it is the sights one sees that make the memories.

With mostly no bike lanes and many busy roads, what an interesting bike ride it was to Chantilly. Encircled by water on one side, and high wall on the other, the Chantilly Chateau landscape was most picturesque (quite expensive to enter, Bob and I made the decision to enjoy from the outside, as Versaille near Paris […]

With inclement weather upon us, a couple of days past saw Bob and I make the decision to continue onward. With that decision made, we entered the Oise river and motored to first Compiegne, then Creil. From Creil, weather permitting, it would be possible to undertake the 10km or so bike ride to Chateau Chantilly. […]