Trip 73kms Departure
9am. Locks 10 of 28
I always planned a travel day today as had not been overly keen on the canal du nord last year, so an early start, checked and cleaned strainers coolant levels and oil. Stbd took about 6 pints so concerned that leak was not getting any better. Misty so had to wait til 9 to leave the berth.
Found myself directly behind a French motorboat and followed him down to the first lock where we were joined by Colin and Hilary. We travelled and made excellent progress with the 3 boats sharing the locks and I have to say that the canal seemed a lot prettier than I had recalled. Still peniches appeared and nice to see still in business.
It was also noticeable the difference in the size of drops at the locks and the lock gates now being guillotine style, which meant a soaking as you exited and a dash to get cameras and books under cover.
Hot dogs for lunch as we enjoyed another day contrary to the forecast. It got hot and sunny, very hot and it was good to be creamed and naked.
We arrived at the first tunnel of the campaign, the 1040 Panneterie tunnel. We had been caught out by the very low walls last year and I was happy to pass on advice to the other two boats. Fenders were lowered and just as well as still a tricky passage where it is so narrow and difficult to avoid these potentially nasty concrete grp rippers. Colin particularly was uncomfortable as he needed to maintain speed for steerage but stuck behind me I was in no hurry to hit the wall at any speed.
Having mastered the tunnel we were greeted by the blue lady, like so many before us, on arrival at Pont L'eveque 47 Kms on seemingly in no time and waved our farewells to Frenchy and The broom. We continued as it was just so lovely and celebrated our solitude with chicken salad baguettes and leffe.
We enjoyed the antics of a father his 2 young boys and 2 dogs all mounted on a moped riding along the canal towpath. The Alsatian would jump off and run to keep up flagging in the heat and papa would stop let him catch up and rest before another km was started. We stayed in touch for about half an hour and he would toot his horn as they caught up yet again and the boys would wave and shout to us that they would overtake us eventually. All good fun and suddenly we were at abbecourt and time to turn into the canal de L'oise a l'Aisne., but have to do a swift astern manoeuvre as we are confronted by the heavy bow of a laden panache and we are not going to win any Mexican stand off battles!
Remote control is given at the first lock and from now on we are in control. 200m from the lock you press your remote and hey presto the lock prepares for entry. When in I manoeuvre next to a box with two poles red and blue. Red for emergency blue to set the lock fill or empty in process. Collette pulls the blue pole and I go astern so that she can tie us on to the bollards. All quite straightforward.
This canal is another picturesque reach and we are soon passing over a small aqueduct crossing the river aisne.
We go through dense forest before arriving at a lovely looking halte at Guny.
I finally retrieve the now half dead maggots from the anchor locker and try a bit of fishing. No luck
After beers Disaronno and a beautiful joint of pork with haricot vert, I rest with a glass of red whilst the crew washes up. A scream pierces from the saloon. An army of maggots are crawling down the deck past the galley window. We are up til 12.30 tracking down every last one clearing the boat of the invasion. Collette suffered a sleepless night worrying about the intruders. I suffered a sleepless night worrying about Collette removing my parts!
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