We left the Boathouse Club near Grove Ferry on the 3rd July 2005 and moored overnight at Richborough Castle in the company of Roy and Irene Newing on ReneRoy III and Debbie and David Buckman on Serhina At 9.30 on the 4th July we proceeded down river.
The Swing bridge at Sandwich was opened for us and we past through at 10.00 en route for the Stour Estuary.
At 11am we exited the River Stour entering the English Channel at Pegwell Bay Ramsgate.
In smooth seas we sailed past Deal at 11.50 and headed towards the S.W Goodwin buoy arriving at 12.55. We then changed course to make across channel at 90 degrees to the shipping lanes in company with ReneRoy III and Serhina. At mid channel unfortunately the weather deteriorated and with winds gusting at 35 knots we completed our crossing to Calais in Valerie’s immortal words ‘ When we reached Calais, the saloon looked like the Titanic without the water’
We reached the shelter of Calais Harbour at 16.03. Roy on ReneRoy III picked up a buoy in a special naval way with his anchor, bet nobody else can do that!!! We all rafted to ReneRoy III waiting for the lock to open to give us access to the marina. We spent 2 days in Calais.
On the 7th July we entered the Canals at Calais and headed for Watten following the Canal de Calais. Were heading across what was Calais Docks towards our first lock….
Well we survived that one
Our first lifting bridge
Waiting for the next Lifting bridge to open
Roy! we haven’t got to go into that have we? Oh its a museum now the Boat Lift at Arque
Oh, that’s the lock, seems a little big
I am going to cheat and raft on to ReneRoy
That was easy!!! Thanks Roy
We arrived at Watten soon after joining the Canal de Dunkerque. Watten proved to be a pretty village and we enjoyed our walk up to the Windmill, a vantage point that offered superb views towards Dunkerque. We also had a Cycle ride to nearby Blockhaus Eperlecques
The bunker was built to launch up to 36 rockets a day, the site of this bunker is eerrie, although the area is heavily wooded you never seem to hear birds singing, the whole area has a strange quiteness about it.
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It was not just V1 and V2 Rockets that were launched
This picture illustrates the size of the Bunker, yes that’s two people on the left and the damage done by allied bombing, centre of picture
The morning of the 12th July saw us heading for our next stop Bethune where we all rafted out from a barge mooring as the Port de Plaisance appeared to have little room for visitors. Next morning the mist hung over the Canal as we headed for Douai
The next day we continued to Douai a major Canal centre for Commercial Barges, we decided to head towards the Town Centre in about 1.2m of water. Arriving in the centre of Douai, oh dear that bridge is fixed, who said I had to lead? What do we do now first mate , oh moor, that’s a good idea!
On arrival we became the centre of attraction as it seemed few boats actually moored in this location. So we dressed up for the occassion after all tomorrow was Bastille day, the celebrations included a marvellous Firework display at 10pm
This map shows our way ahead from Douai to Cambrai and St Quentin via the Riqueval Bellecourt Tunnel, then onto Chauncy, Noyon and Compiegne en route to Paris
Leaving Douai on the 15th July we travelled to Cambrai. The high spot of our stay at Cambrai was the Cruise Dinner at the Mouse Resturant
The 17th July we left Cambrai at 0945 en route for St Quentin via the Canal de St Quentin and the Riqueval Bellecourt Tunnel
Here we see Scotts Miss, skippered by Andy and ably assisted by his wife Liz, we see the end of the tunnel in sight, the 6km trip through the tunnel takes about two hours and the boats are towed using two 30 metre ropes by what is in effect a chain ferry
The 2nd Tunnel on the St Quentin Canal is 1km long and you just drive through obeying the traffic lights!
We arrived at rural Lesdins at 22.00hrs after a long day. We had a lazy morning and got underway at 1425, arriving at St Quentin at 16.45 on the 18th July.
The 19th July saw us enjoying a barbeque and party with our Leader Captain Roy Newing who had introduced us to the joys of Canals and Locks, helping us to meet the challenges ahead.
Here you see Andy praying to the God of Fire – it worked and we had a great barbeque 
The food did arrive thanks to Andy
Our illustrious Monsieur Capitaine at St Quentin having a few minutes off with his family to enjoy the odd glass of wine as a small thank you for his help and hospitality during our stay
Roy then decided its time for some exercise and it was decided that the boy’s should take on the girl’s at bat and trap. Here you can see the natural enthusiasm displayed by Roy in leading the Boy’s team.
What’s a matter Val didn’t you see that one coming? After all that effort, the girl’s won with a little help from David Buckman, the only thing to do was drown our sorrows. The 20th July saw us on our way to Chaucy
Lasting memory of Chauny was the beautiful Town decorated by floral figures and the welcome we received at the Canal side marina.
The 20th July we arrived at the beautiful Nautique at Pont L’Eveque
Pont L’Eveque, this was to be our parting point with Roy and the Boat House Cruise who started their return to Calais on the 22nd July at 7AM!!!, but first we had a memorable evening meal of local Cuisine and the odd glass of local wine
The Trip to and stay in Glorious Paris
For the first time on this trip we were cruising on our own. We arrived in Paris on the 24th July having stayed at Creil on the 22nd July and the delightful Marina at Cergy on the 23rd July, which is on the River Oise just before it joins the River Seine .
The trip up the River Seine was a delight notwithstanding the rain. Coming face to face with the trip boats between the Eiffel Tower and Paris Arsenal was to say the least a challenging experience and I thought the English Channel was busy!!! Our Red Ensign got a cheer from one trip boat, the UK had just won it’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics, thank you Jacque, by the way we are giving lessons on how to cook Vegetables!
We past the Notre Damme just before the Paris Arsenal what a beautiful sight
Degres de Notre Dame 10 Rue des Grands Degres Paris is a Hotel and Restaurant where we had some really good meals phone 0033155428888 Fax 0033140469534
Val and David at The Eiffel Tower
Val and Anne at The Eiffel Tower
The View from the Eiffel Tower
Concorde Square where Marie Antoinette met her fate, who’s next!
We were there too
The Sisters dining on The Seine
Yes, that’s Montmatre in the background
No, that’s the Mona Lisa, we were at the Louvre for the day, thought we would borrow this one!
Our lovely day at Versailles, yes it was a really lovely cultural event
The Chapel Royal The Chapel royal at Versailles, this is where Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI attended daily mass, an important moment in a kings day.
The Hall of Mirrors (La Galerie des Glaces) The Hall of Mirrors, erected to the glory of Louis XIV and now the chief masterpiece of Versailles, was begun in 1678 when the chateau became the official residence, disrupting the order of the salons known as the Apartment of the Planets. On the signing of the Treaty of Nijmegen, which represented the highpoint of his reign, Louis XIV ordered Le Brun to depict his government’s accomplishments on the ceiling of the hall.
Val in the Grounds
I would want a sit on Mower for this lot
A Picturesque Little Village Part of the grounds near the Trianon were chosen by Marie Antoinetteas the site of a lakeside village, a crucial feature of picturesque landscape gardens then so fashionable among Europe’s aristocracy. In 1783, Richard Mique built this amusement village where the queen played at being a shepherdess. What’s that Val, where’s my sheep gone? Did you say!
The Queen’s House Located at the fairest spot on the edge of the ‘big lake’, the Queen’s House is composed of two parts joined by a wooden gallery. The part roofed with tiles was the house itself, the other part containing a billiard room and, upstairs, a suite of cabinets (including a ‘Chinese’ cabinet). The balconies featured ceramic pots from the Saint-Clement Manufactory in Lorraine, adorned with the queen’s monogram. Locally known as Val’s place, only joking!
Our trip from Paris, included stays at Fontainbleu, Nemours, Cepoy, Chatillon and Nevers
We arrived at Cepoy on the 13th August and were helped to moor between an English narrowboat and the barge Festina Tarde, thats when we met Jim and Mary. We enjoyed a great evening in their company with some interesting entertainment from the skipper of the narrowboat. We hope that he survives to retirement!!!
On the 14th August we left the mooring at 10.00 with the help of the skipper of the English Narrow boat who was waiting for a taxi to take him to catch a train to Paris on a secret mission, while we headed for the first of 11 locks en route to Chatillon-Coligny
The Lock at Cepoy
We arrived at Chatillon to find the locals preparing for a Barbecue, live country music and a firework display, because of this we were asked to moor the other side of the village lock, where we found Jim and Mary who incidently are from San Francisco. Needless to say we had a great night at a French Country & Western Barn dance complete with Line Dancing, with our friends from America, incidently the Country and Western Band were from Canada on tour in France.
On the 15th August Jim and Mary left Chatillon at 9am an hour ahead of us, as their barge takes longer to navigate, but still were moored up when we arrived at Rogny at 14.00. That evening we enjoyed a memorable meal with our friends, Val even ate frogs legs and Lobster!!
Next morning it was auvoir to Jim and Mary as we continued on our way en route to Barcelona
Beautiful Rogny
The Ancient locks at Rogny
This map traces our route from Rogny to Macon, via Nevers, Decize, Digoin, Montceau Les Mines, Montchanin, Chalon Sur Saone and Tournus
We arrived at Briare on the 17th August en route to Belleville a pretty village on the Canal a la Loire. We are just leaving the Canal de Briare to cross the Loire in a canal bridge built by Gustav Eiffel.
Val poses for the camera
My turn
The view of the Loire from the aft deck of Lace
The Loire Valley looking south
Look no wash
We arrived at Cour Les Barres on the 20th August, it was a nice marina, althogh a little way from the town, Valerie was suffering with a tummy bug! We arrived at Digoin on the 24th August and were once again crossing the Loire over a canal bridge and entered the Canal De Centre
We arrived at Genelard were the lock keeper returned a lost fender to us.
We also found a Canal side house selling Spanish Cava for 6 Eoro’s a bottle we bought 4 cases
We enjoyed a memorable Lunch at the Auberge at St Julien Sur Dheune, the mooring is pictured below
After St Julien we moored at St Ledger and spent a lovely Evening with Sedat and Sylvie at their Home nearby, on our trip in 2006 we visited them once again. We arrived at Chalon Sur Saone on the 31st August 2005 and stayed at the Marina. Chalon is a beautiful City, the Island is a great place to eat at night. This was our first stop after leaving the Canals and over 200 locks since Calais. After a restful 2 days we set off down the Saone for Tournus on the 2nd September
This is us arriving at Lyon at mid day on the 6th September, the only place to moor was occupied by immigrants sleeping on the banks of the River Rhone, we refueled, the cheapest diesal prices on the Rhone and made our way towards our next stop at Les Roche de Condrieu where we met Dave and Marjorie aboard Jack Flash
Lace and Jack Flash sailed in convoy to Port St Louis, here we are in the region of Valence on the 10th September en route for Vivers. Prior to meeting Dave and Marj in France we had last seen them in Ramsgate at the end of May when we discussed our plans, not knowing our paths would cross
I am not walking up this Hill!! We were exploring Vivers where we made some interesting discoveries
What will be around the next corner, Val is still with us
It started to rain about 4pm so we found a French Cafe where we enjoyed the odd cup of coffee and Brandy, by 7.30pm we were sitting down to dinner, the floor show started at 9pm and we spent the rest of the evening dancing the night away, we finally left our cafe at gone midnight
The next day we were on our way to St Etien des Sorts via this little Lock!! Come on Dave heave that line
Ok its not so little
After the Barge Gragiosa had entered this Lock we were left with about 12 meters for both boats, Valerie thought it was a bit mean that the barge did not leave more room for us, but we later saw that his bows were nearly touching the front gate. Yes that is a car on the roof of Gragiosa, it was a gragiosa of a barge
Soon after we arrived at St Etienne we were treated to a thunderstorm, this was the resulting rainbow. After the rain stopped we noticed tractors with trailers fully laden with grapes. We followed them to the local Wine Cooperative and was treated to a tour with explanation how wine was made. This was followed by a trip to the Cooperative Wine Shop. We left fully laden with locally produced Cote De Rhone Wines. All down throgh the Canals we were buying good quality Wine for around 6 Euro’s a bottle.
Next day were on the way to Avignon, here is Jack Flash about to overtake Lace
The 12th September once again saw blue sky’s as we arrived at the famous bridge at Avignon, for us a milestone as we had stood on this bridge the previous December wondering if we would make it too Avignon
The Papal Palace and Cathedral at Avignon, The Pope lived here until the 1500’s when he moved to the Vatican in Italy
The gardens at the side of the Cathedral
Dave, Marjorie and Val at Avignon
Lace on the way to Arles 14th September
En route to Arles
En route to Arles
Approaching Arles
The Roman Town of Arles
After an hectic day Dave needs a rest
Jack Flash can not wait to get to Port St Louis and the Med
Lace in hot pursuit
Its a ferry cross the Rhone
I do not believe it, now its a Train Ferry across the Rhone
Having safely arrived in Port Louis on the 15th September, we moored and this tug brings up the next ship en route for the Rhone
As Lace escapes to the Med on the 16th September, we say bye bye to Dave and Marj who are heading for Nice. Valerie brings in the Fenders ready for our Sea trip to La Grand Motte, our First port of call in the Med, a mere 38 nautical miles, we learnt that the Med is not always calm, as we left the shelter of Port St Louis we experienced winds North Westerly Force 3 rising to 5