tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32108050216584110452024-03-05T18:45:26.461+00:00Norbury Wharf LimitedFull boat yard services, open every day all year round.
www.norburywharfltd.co.ukUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger950125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-40882892357439541042019-11-28T05:00:00.000+00:002019-11-28T05:00:01.464+00:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - Episode 12<br />
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<b style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 12pt;">NORTH
SEA IN SIGHT</b></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is </b></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>bringing his first historic barge from the
Mediterranean to Belgium, and now onto the Channel coast.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
Last time</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>
Simon and Amanda faced a stoppage but found time explore Glorious
Ghent. Now they are heading for their winter mooring, close to the
North Sea coast.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Off
we went back out of the delightful city of Ghent. We picked our way
along a rather nice little canal and passed some posh places until we
reached the Ringvaart-haha. It was Saturday again which meant it
would be quiet with commercials. Great as we could crack on
unhindered.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShQmT2KaqhW5hw2RL877BQ3f3Fjr47IogVrjb6aWIUdrFt6-s253RnbbCXiC1KhtI4t9LX2zvkBhO3JUTw70chyzEP3RJ882RvgtTAIiYcglAKX3JqZplqYIZ5C69kYxRYUuMhjBNMEoQ/s1600/As+we+moved+even+further+North+it+opened+up+to+almost+flat+lands+like+Norfolk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShQmT2KaqhW5hw2RL877BQ3f3Fjr47IogVrjb6aWIUdrFt6-s253RnbbCXiC1KhtI4t9LX2zvkBhO3JUTw70chyzEP3RJ882RvgtTAIiYcglAKX3JqZplqYIZ5C69kYxRYUuMhjBNMEoQ/s640/As+we+moved+even+further+North+it+opened+up+to+almost+flat+lands+like+Norfolk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another early start</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Only
one lock today, however, we had traded the locks for lift bridges but
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">this shouldn't slow
us down much. We were still heading North and the next major place on
route was the stunning city of Brugge.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The navigable canal
skirts around the outside of Brugge and in order to see its inner
delights you need to moor up and wander in. However we needed to
crack on as we had a meeting to attend with the Belgium authorities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
one lock we had to do was an interesting one as it was oval shaped
with three sets of lock gates, so there was another canal that we
could have taken. Not sure where it went as we never investigated
it. It might have just been to a loading basin.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
lock had an an actual lock keeper, grumpy bugger he was too. We
shared the lock with small cruiser and the lock keeper kept a very
close eye on the proceedings, as tying up wasn't that straightforward
and it was a big lock.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
bridges were interesting - the traffic stopped on the roads and then
these massive structures lifted gracefully in front of us, a bit
like a military salute. In one place two bridges lifted at once,
and we glided underneath whilst onlookers took photos – or perhaps
they whispered ‘hurry up’ under their breaths.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyCin9zrTgcWx5sMPfdpkEwX-OI-CiEl1EVmuV85k12tU6IADiMNmtmh6e7p8RtvZ7Cp9-SCegREaGoPlN1MTPgAabhndLJilJ8KV-fi8Ws8SejVFSobVA1fEBnJ2rrUfOcVrVAUiotpG/s1600/these+massive+structures+lifted+gracefully+in+front+of%25C2%25A0us%252C+a+bit+like+a%25C2%25A0military+salute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyCin9zrTgcWx5sMPfdpkEwX-OI-CiEl1EVmuV85k12tU6IADiMNmtmh6e7p8RtvZ7Cp9-SCegREaGoPlN1MTPgAabhndLJilJ8KV-fi8Ws8SejVFSobVA1fEBnJ2rrUfOcVrVAUiotpG/s640/these+massive+structures+lifted+gracefully+in+front+of%25C2%25A0us%252C+a+bit+like+a%25C2%25A0military+salute.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> These massive structures lifted gracefully in front of us</td></tr>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
soon cleared Brugge and back out in to the rural
area which, by now, was very flat indeed. As we moved even
further North it opened up to almost flat lands like Norfolk. We
passed some smashing mooring places next to proper Belgium bars
and restaurants but, alas, not enough time to sample them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
we ended up stopping at the junction with the Kanaal
Nieuwpoort-Duinkerke/Neiuwpoort-Plassendale (thats a mouthful). If we
had carried on we would have dropped in to the sea at Ostend just a
few kilometres further on, but the next canal was to take
us to our winter mooring.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVy5haseWo6zkvDJGtEOd5QrdV1uWfvuFHS02YukbAgBwKXmq8U_v8aeblybQ-0XbXAj39idz98fwjY33Pu8fCszbNuWcbFlo6jd-FXjZ6dTXhptGJbX5xpuc3OI1cBizCK4FfAYtATvU/s1600/So+we+ended+up+stopping+at+the+junction+with+the+Kanaal+Nieuwpoort-Duinkerke+and+Neiuwpoort+Plassendale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVy5haseWo6zkvDJGtEOd5QrdV1uWfvuFHS02YukbAgBwKXmq8U_v8aeblybQ-0XbXAj39idz98fwjY33Pu8fCszbNuWcbFlo6jd-FXjZ6dTXhptGJbX5xpuc3OI1cBizCK4FfAYtATvU/s640/So+we+ended+up+stopping+at+the+junction+with+the+Kanaal+Nieuwpoort-Duinkerke+and+Neiuwpoort+Plassendale.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ended up stopping at the junction with the Kanaal Nieuwpoort-Duinkerke/Neiuwpoort-Plassendale</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
final canal of our journey changed from a wide deep canal capable of
taking 2,000 plus ton barges down to a canal that can cope with 38 m
x 5 m, 350 ton barges, so it was more akin to the UK canals again-in
as much as it was narrower and shallower and we were now heading west
towards Calais and Dunkirk, following the coast.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
canal also followed a main road and it was good to see cars whizzing
past so close to the boat chugging along at 8kmh. Bridges were spread
out and there seemed plenty of them. No manual operation here either
and, as we approached each bridge a call on the VHF radio to the
central control soon had the traffic stopped and the bridge lifting
for us.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ6UCuXrv4Ok1GfRDJOUkbNRYP5O9EKY9iVTMJEJ-8wvmLLAR0djecYxaTtp9LwDl3IKviHVoHnMTtENBPl07hnHPWcbQ022rGsfjD5ruUih_Bx7kzx9eaukULr8eXN29O29dxfcsOLVu/s1600/a+call+on+the+VHF+radio+soon+had+the+traffic+stopped+and+the+bridge+lifting+for+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ6UCuXrv4Ok1GfRDJOUkbNRYP5O9EKY9iVTMJEJ-8wvmLLAR0djecYxaTtp9LwDl3IKviHVoHnMTtENBPl07hnHPWcbQ022rGsfjD5ruUih_Bx7kzx9eaukULr8eXN29O29dxfcsOLVu/s640/a+call+on+the+VHF+radio+soon+had+the+traffic+stopped+and+the+bridge+lifting+for+us.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A call on the VHF radio to the central control soon had the traffic stopped and the bridge lifting for us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
all seemed very odd, with these bridges being operated by remote
control from a central office and not a canal worker to be seen.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
had three locks to negotiate along this stretch of
canal, and they were the most amazing structures of the entire
journey (apart from the boat lift). But first we needed to get the
motorbike off the boat as there was nowhere to do so once we reached
our mooring. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
we pulled up at another junction where there was another rather
large lock. We didn't quite understand why it was so big as
the rest of that canal was small, but we tied up, got the ramps out
and rode the bike off the back deck of the boat. We locked
it up and then back along the main line of the canal towards the
Nieuwpoort lock system.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
is well worth going to have a look at. It is a junction of seven
waterways and it’s also known as Ganzepoot (goose foot in Dutch).
The main river, is tidal and called the Yser. It used to have several
locks but only two are used.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These
two we had to do, and they can only be done two hours either side of
high tide, so a little bit of planning was needed to ensure
we arrived at the right time. These locks are operated by a
mobile team of lock keepers and they also have to operate lift
bridges at the ends of each lock.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
locked through the first lock and into the tidal basin at pretty much
slack water. There wasn't even a difference in the height,
but this can be either way and the lock gates have two sets of gates
at each end - which ones are needed depends on the height of the tide
- out into the basin and sharp left and towards the next lock.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
pretty much went straight in and then locked through and on to the
last leg of the journey – but not immediately. It was Sunday and
the next lock at Veurne and the railway lift bridge was not manned on
a Sunday - so we had an enforced stay in Nieuwpoort for the rest
of the day and night. That was OK as the bike was only
a 15min walk away so we could at least do some shopping and get off
the boat for a bit! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRuMKaiap0RYf2um-bvL_IgoP372RIhzxvp3OEaGUtn98Ba3Ftsp5TU68SV74HtCyqE4gK4lc5JBrvN2KflUHMh6Yo1AXAXBPXbq0HHS7iM1QW_BlT13SgZgph5ODWX8js9fUfSDoby6P/s1600/the+antiquated+railway+lift+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRuMKaiap0RYf2um-bvL_IgoP372RIhzxvp3OEaGUtn98Ba3Ftsp5TU68SV74HtCyqE4gK4lc5JBrvN2KflUHMh6Yo1AXAXBPXbq0HHS7iM1QW_BlT13SgZgph5ODWX8js9fUfSDoby6P/s640/the+antiquated+railway+lift+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The railway lift bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
final day arrived, Monday morning and the last leg of this monumental
journey. Off we went and, after what seemed like a short period of
time maybe an hour or so we reached Veurne and the railway
lift bridge. Aa quick call to the lock keeper and in no time at all
the antiquated railway lift bridge (like the bridge at the Black
country museum groaned up in to the air, just after that
is the main town lift bridge. Traffic stopped as we glided through
there - very tight indeed as we went through - and then a sharp right
and into the lock which was ready for us, and not a soul to be seen
operating any of it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Locked
through and our mooring was in a basin just on our right hand side.
We exited the lock spun the boat around, reversed into the short
basin and moored just in front of another barge tied up there.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXPqpfwF7i3V0xOXNdByfjoLKSNnVZvNETYv9elzG33YwrNPRK0_oEZUmFefyYCHe62qFGe7Wq4PeajdX_1WgjEMgicVt51CnMTXIbYfF0vzCCrIT5knQgcx4n6uIm5dKzbr4Wkud49rf/s1600/Ambiorix+at+joiurney%2527s+end+-+within+smelling+distance+of+the+North+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXPqpfwF7i3V0xOXNdByfjoLKSNnVZvNETYv9elzG33YwrNPRK0_oEZUmFefyYCHe62qFGe7Wq4PeajdX_1WgjEMgicVt51CnMTXIbYfF0vzCCrIT5knQgcx4n6uIm5dKzbr4Wkud49rf/s640/Ambiorix+at+joiurney%2527s+end+-+within+smelling+distance+of+the+North+Sea.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moored at our destination - within smelling distance of the North Sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGFcW66Obj_zZ3E8895OCFTQuCbLz9uGTXoPWvlbovbWzlFL6Cup4m1sM8rk4G1Q-5ghHY8MhWr1bvV4-0GXxba_3wXLbCAopISlI-OZqhfXp3dA48oQbjFoKCWmme1Q7jesvm8EEQ2iH/s1600/As+well+as+a+new+paint+Ambiorix+has+new+covers+for+wheelhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGFcW66Obj_zZ3E8895OCFTQuCbLz9uGTXoPWvlbovbWzlFL6Cup4m1sM8rk4G1Q-5ghHY8MhWr1bvV4-0GXxba_3wXLbCAopISlI-OZqhfXp3dA48oQbjFoKCWmme1Q7jesvm8EEQ2iH/s640/As+well+as+a+new+paint+Ambiorix+has+new+covers+for+wheelhouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix resplendent in her new paintwork and new covers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
had made it-a journey of some 1,000 miles and about 250 locks on a
107 year old 130 ton 100 foot long barge in a very short time scale.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEq9iv5Y3uCNU2PBfFm89mE8xvR62PoNFSUaOpuFX7ZBvUU-cQ9hlPYvEJxeZkCURLsyDiCqoKcgdOYjHdCVeibHI8N6ajWCfG6vBgLyDvjoCwH2Y8jwxO-3VU6LXbtUVMweMHVIeGOcu/s1600/Ambiorix+at+the+start+of+the+journey%252C+near+the+Mediterranean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEq9iv5Y3uCNU2PBfFm89mE8xvR62PoNFSUaOpuFX7ZBvUU-cQ9hlPYvEJxeZkCURLsyDiCqoKcgdOYjHdCVeibHI8N6ajWCfG6vBgLyDvjoCwH2Y8jwxO-3VU6LXbtUVMweMHVIeGOcu/s640/Ambiorix+at+the+start+of+the+journey%252C+near+the+Mediterranean.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is where it all began - Ambiorix moored near the Mediterranean, where we found her</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
had the meeting with the Belgium authorities who needed to do the
last survey on the boat which allows it to cruise through the
European waterways. That all went well, apart from us needing an ENI
number and that’s another story altogether.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
put the boat to bed, sorted out the electric supply, did a few jobs
on the boat, had to collect the bike from Neiuwpoort - a
quick taxi ride - packed some of our personal stuff, (can’t get it
all on the bike) booked the tunnel crossing and the next morning we
set off for England and home (now what side of the road should I be
on?) </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And
now? The next part of this story starts next year when we move the
boat from Veurne on the Belgium/France border to the Netherlands
for its internal refit!</b></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-13473006930297584042019-10-24T05:00:00.000+01:002019-10-24T05:00:02.744+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - Episode 11<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 12pt;">GLORIOUS
GHENT</b></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is </b></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>bringing his first historic barge from the
Mediterranean to Belgium, and now onto the Channel coast.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
Last time</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>
Ambiorix travelled in a boat lift to end all boat lifts. Now Simon
and Amanda face a stoppage.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monday
we got up early as usual and as the mist was lifting off the canal
very slowly indeed. We had breakfast and waited for the
mist to start to clear. It was too dangerous to navigate on a
commercial waterway in the mist in my opinion.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_nPtntSbcy-EHu5L0DR81xak_DTdFPAOYzBFxZh5X75KHqvlKb85jlL1M0xJvE2jtzM45rhI9vtBimc6P6oNtAyoTQ54_3XX-8Iw9ykPYav5QY0eP1iVSdEluQ20CrwcvyKujXoJuM4b/s1600/A+misty+dawn+and+commercial+boats+moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_nPtntSbcy-EHu5L0DR81xak_DTdFPAOYzBFxZh5X75KHqvlKb85jlL1M0xJvE2jtzM45rhI9vtBimc6P6oNtAyoTQ54_3XX-8Iw9ykPYav5QY0eP1iVSdEluQ20CrwcvyKujXoJuM4b/s640/A+misty+dawn+and+commercial+boats+moving.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commercial barges in the mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
we prepared the boat to depart, on my AIS I could see commercial
barge loaded approaching from behind on the main canal.
I did the decent thing and let him pass, I could have pulled out in
front and been much quicker but that’s not the done thing in my
opinion.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good
thing as it turned out. Even though he was slower than us,
when we reached the next lock it was closed, and would be all day as
the next lock on to the river Schelde was broken. We put
our feet up and by the end of the day there were 20 commercial boats
all waiting to go through the locks.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuLko9v8b3cXnz1XFb-QCQLduHPlxa98VQVXalkyk0QFvFx-g0kHygDLHfgbYr_iyKLsPnzmzwUD8P0md376LN9c_ltBAK_7Sa8-JW-3Dk-c13KKB5A7D6uWQNcbM0ddtPJiWtGEv6c78/s1600/Queue+of+commercial+boats+during+lock+stopage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuLko9v8b3cXnz1XFb-QCQLduHPlxa98VQVXalkyk0QFvFx-g0kHygDLHfgbYr_iyKLsPnzmzwUD8P0md376LN9c_ltBAK_7Sa8-JW-3Dk-c13KKB5A7D6uWQNcbM0ddtPJiWtGEv6c78/s640/Queue+of+commercial+boats+during+lock+stopage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barges queuing for the locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
lock keeper announced that the lock was fixed and they could start
letting boats through, but it was getting dark, so we decided to
let them go through and then we would pass the next day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Big
mistake that was, as we had been the third boat to pull up we were in
the queue but we relinquished our turn, so, the next morning we
had to wait for all of the other boats
that hadn't made it through to go first.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was lunch time by the time we got through the two
locks and out on to the busiest water way that we had seen so far.
Commercial boats were everywhere loaded, unloaded, being loaded
or unloaded waiting at locks. It made for very slow
progress, even though this was a high speed waterway in sections. The
exceptions were the one-way sections, controlled by traffic lights so
lots of waiting around.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
took a couple of days to clear the river Schelde and, if I'm honest,
I was glad to be off it. It took some serious concentration
to navigate it with 2,000 ton loaded barges taking up the
middle of the navigation and not leaving a lot of room for us. The
draw of the water from these big boats in a restricted water way
didn't leave a lot of water underneath us, which made steering
hard work too. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They
did not slow down at all on their approach and you could see the
water level on the banks dropping by a good 18 inches as they passed.
You actually felt our boat go down hill in to the hole where
that water used to be, and then go uphill as we passed the boat.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHphEXKXuDofFG_fTXLRHUlQOaDBmv1mCkiSvr1fhj9ak3n29bgP5iAjFKQP3jXslqkBPw5PP4jClpWPf8nQfoatPoINkxO2XfXq0pzDWWSo_9vQcpTL3Ta6ZH_kaT2g688W4xZU2IyAoQ/s1600/Under+way+as+the+mist+lifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHphEXKXuDofFG_fTXLRHUlQOaDBmv1mCkiSvr1fhj9ak3n29bgP5iAjFKQP3jXslqkBPw5PP4jClpWPf8nQfoatPoINkxO2XfXq0pzDWWSo_9vQcpTL3Ta6ZH_kaT2g688W4xZU2IyAoQ/s640/Under+way+as+the+mist+lifts.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water levels drop as boats pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even
though we slowed our speed on approach to these big boats we couldn’t
go too slow or we would loose steerage, so as soon as we started to
cross it was back on with the power to give us increased wash
past the rudder to give better steering. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
river crosses over in to the Flanders region of Belgium,
where they speak English as well as Dutch. This, too, was a
welcome change. At this point we had to stop at the control
lock, take all of our paperwork to the office and purchase a permit.
Until now, in Wallonia, we had not had to have a permit and it was
free to navigate, but in Flanders we had to pay. Can’t really moan
as it was about €75 and wasn’t going to break the bank.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
river ends for this section on the Ringvaart in Ghent. The Ringvaart
is like a water ring road and goes right around Ghent, but at the
junction there is a smaller waterway that meanders towards
the centre of Ghent and this was our destination for now,
with a couple of days off exploring the city.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
crossed the Ringvaart in timely fashion and entered this
lovely, shallow, windy, narrow canal meandering its way towards the
centre. As we approached the centre it became very twisty indeed, and
narrow, and it took some skill to get around the tight bends; slowly
I might add - very slowly through narrow sections, and small bridges.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThCT6A4RUD5WHt0Ld-5Jjwp2uo6CuVs-8iok-BghCnpE9TJdOBRVZ-_pW5kR4EMBFRuXlFpyuqm-Wgl14T1_zv7ZO8g_oMBmR_z960tVMuY7kVvs4aEdJQU2xLvXANespPqmLzXTZEi4s/s1600/Entering+Ghent+with+its+narrow+bridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThCT6A4RUD5WHt0Ld-5Jjwp2uo6CuVs-8iok-BghCnpE9TJdOBRVZ-_pW5kR4EMBFRuXlFpyuqm-Wgl14T1_zv7ZO8g_oMBmR_z960tVMuY7kVvs4aEdJQU2xLvXANespPqmLzXTZEi4s/s640/Entering+Ghent+with+its+narrow+bridges.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching a narrow bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
passed restaurant barges, cafe barges, a few house boats, some boats
that were clearly dossing on restricted moorings (nothing changes
anywhere) and then we emerged in to the centre of Ghent and at the
Yacht-haven, well that’s what its called-in reality its just some
pontoons with water and electricity.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
moorings charged us the princely sum of €60 for two
nights stay - I didn't mind too much as it was a couple of
days off. We tied up to another Brit, someone who has crossed
our path before, on the South coast of England. Terry is a lovely
chap who had sailed his barge over to the continent earlier
in the year to go cruising. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ghent
is a beautiful city with the canal at the heart of it. It is not
navigable for large boats any more and, to be honest, it would be a
pain as there are a lot of manually operated bridges. It has some
stunning properties along the canal, these used to be warehouses,
pubs, toll houses, captains houses and even a brothel.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavr518Ls-6BvwX6xFapXYcZphfHrayh4kcpHXAQF5G88kx5QCQRoeGi5fQdqesYB6rI5vQQIbK2aDV8yqmy3bhQZN1eM1I3c1iiIXMpTJcSufew1BmHwciLYy_CRu3JM4fmNKn0uDSsFp/s1600/Ghent+is+a+beautiful+city+with+the+canal+at+the+heart+of+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavr518Ls-6BvwX6xFapXYcZphfHrayh4kcpHXAQF5G88kx5QCQRoeGi5fQdqesYB6rI5vQQIbK2aDV8yqmy3bhQZN1eM1I3c1iiIXMpTJcSufew1BmHwciLYy_CRu3JM4fmNKn0uDSsFp/s640/Ghent+is+a+beautiful+city+with+the+canal+at+the+heart+of+it.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious Ghent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
did some sight seeing - the first time whilst on this trip we had
been able to do so. We even took a guided boat trip along the
sections of canal that weren’t open to other traffic. Fascinating
place and we could have spent more time there. However, we had to get
en route once more, off on the last few legs of the journey, with
the end is almost in sight. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In
the next episode: The end is in sight – via lift bridges and tidal
junctions.</b></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-68349810077686473822019-09-26T05:00:00.000+01:002019-09-26T05:00:00.602+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - Episode 10<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 12pt;">EAT
YOUR HEART OUT ANDERTON</b></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is </b></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>back from the boat buying
trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge from the
Mediterranean to Belgium, and now onto the Channel coast.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
Last time</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>
Ambiorix went back in the water but had to be taken out again. Now
the problem – a couple of popped rivets – is fixed and Simon and
Amanda are on their way again</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
next day and yet another canal. This one I was especially looking
forward too, and it was Sunday - no commercials move on a Sunday.
More importantly it was what we were about to experience that really
excited me.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have been boating virtually all of my life and have seen some pretty
impressive engineering feats, but never have I experienced anything
like what we had in store for us shortly. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
canal is called the Canal du Centre - it’s 24km long and only has 3
locks. We cruised along this waterway with its arms off here and
there with boats being loaded and unloaded-it was like a giant scene
from the BCN, back in the working days, with arms everywhere - going
into warehouses, recycling plants and factories with boats being
loaded.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here
it is on a massive scale. We passed scrap yards, recycling yards,
steel works, glass works and aggregate works, then the scene started
to change and so did the landscape, things becoming more rural again
but we seemed to be very high up and getting higher. Then we came to
it - the Strephy-Tieu boat lift. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYG7O4BNjXZfcqF9tGGluQZrZEygWH5E99SpNAtKZVExJnkCUjAa5Ld0U9H8Q0W8qbpuTKmQEM1LNi0aqFB7f6MMjuCf2Q_ZwaxgUrhceQ9COzsevE2JNxrH8z2mFtdV-Gxfd4UsJFO5C/s1600/Ambiorix+waiting+for+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYG7O4BNjXZfcqF9tGGluQZrZEygWH5E99SpNAtKZVExJnkCUjAa5Ld0U9H8Q0W8qbpuTKmQEM1LNi0aqFB7f6MMjuCf2Q_ZwaxgUrhceQ9COzsevE2JNxrH8z2mFtdV-Gxfd4UsJFO5C/s640/Ambiorix+waiting+for+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix waiting for the lift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4uMTLincD0GZie0VawzcUNRV0WscBiDB0c3tKLIVSLS19JN4_InvJQNEHn7DB3r7hpoFK_5QDbskS-bm7hnLiUzh-SSVzVnlW0qGhe22bdXFHF5-bRPnxw9ajPGs-EqNz5tezbmdjKqi/s1600/IMG_0414.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4uMTLincD0GZie0VawzcUNRV0WscBiDB0c3tKLIVSLS19JN4_InvJQNEHn7DB3r7hpoFK_5QDbskS-bm7hnLiUzh-SSVzVnlW0qGhe22bdXFHF5-bRPnxw9ajPGs-EqNz5tezbmdjKqi/s640/IMG_0414.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side view gives an idea of the massive size</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
boat lift was designed during the Canal du Centre's modernisation
programme to replace a system of two </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(water_transport)" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">locks</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> and
four 16-metre </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boat_lift" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">lifts</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> dating
from 1888 to 1919, not long after the canal was built in 1879. Those
locks and lifts were able to accommodate vessels of up to 300 tonnes,
but by the 1960s, this was no longer adequate for the new European
standard of 1, 350 tonnes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Work
started in 1982 and was not completed until 2002 costing
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">€</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 160 million
and, once operational, permitted river traffic of up to the new
1350-tonne standard to pass between the waterways of
the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meuse_(river)" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meuse</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> and </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheldt" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Scheld</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e rivers.
The lift increased river traffic from 256 kT in 2001 to 2,295 kT
in 2006.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifts_on_the_old_Canal_du_Centre" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">four
older lifts on the Canal du Centre</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which became bypassed by the new </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_du_Centre_(Belgium)" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Canal
du Centre</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
are on the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO_World_Heritage" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">UNESCO
World Heritage</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> list,
because of their architectural and historical value</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
structure at Strépy-Thieu consists of two
independent </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterweight" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">counterweighted</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">caissons</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> which
travel vertically between the upstream and downstream sections. The
caissons weigh the same whether they are laden with a boat or simply
contain water. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
caissons measure 112 m by 12 m and a water depth of between
3.35 and 4.15 m. Each caisson is supported by 112 suspension
cables (for counterbalance) and 32 control cables (for
lifting/lowering), each of 85 mm diameter. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey_1sKitLse7M11OLq_47vhyx9-5pGQTIg6tuM0JlI0MxDOOXLjIS8a67JV5LDeBkp7xa8vcxKhBPMzmN4osleSoiduwOkabz80YiGS1i7yqczNjqKzEUH3bFhKKXiQcwQc1fh1zXuedR/s1600/IMG_0418.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey_1sKitLse7M11OLq_47vhyx9-5pGQTIg6tuM0JlI0MxDOOXLjIS8a67JV5LDeBkp7xa8vcxKhBPMzmN4osleSoiduwOkabz80YiGS1i7yqczNjqKzEUH3bFhKKXiQcwQc1fh1zXuedR/s640/IMG_0418.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive caissons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYOWPM99OlBFnHn9pWZ_CVRioKK7xSkgHME7XsUf7D1aBZkFFjwEG8fGJzjzFSesf9zJA7aCtcVGvB55IHlOV9Dhcdk2NSvgp-ZvAskdNAMFLn7Y3YzYcu-PNMl7fB-OU-CImzJ4LjrUr/s1600/IMG_0556.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYOWPM99OlBFnHn9pWZ_CVRioKK7xSkgHME7XsUf7D1aBZkFFjwEG8fGJzjzFSesf9zJA7aCtcVGvB55IHlOV9Dhcdk2NSvgp-ZvAskdNAMFLn7Y3YzYcu-PNMl7fB-OU-CImzJ4LjrUr/s640/IMG_0556.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The way down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Four </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor" target="_blank"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">electric
motors</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> power
eight winches per caisson via speed-reduction gearboxes and the
73.15-metre lift is completed in seven minutes. The structure is
massively reinforced and has a mass of approximately
200,000 tonnes. The vertically moving watertight gates are
designed to withstand a 5 km/h impact from a 2000 tonne vessel,
so it’s not just narrowboats that occasionally hit the gates.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
those numbers don’t help expressing the experience of taking a boat
in to the caisson and then lowering 73m in just seven
minutes. They had planned a boat lift at Norbury when
exploring the restoration of the Shrewsbury
and Newport canal, but I don't think it would have
been as grand as this.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was a spooky place, we spoke to the </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="fr-FR">L’ascenseur</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
(lift operator) and announced our intention to travel down in the
lift. The lights changed to green and we approached along a long
wide concrete channel leading to the lift, with the gate
open we entered this vast mechanical structure -not another person in
sight.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
gate soon closed behind us, we tied our little boat up to the
bollards and stepped off on to the walkway around the boat, No
restrictions, we could lean over the sides and see the ground over
70m below. Some whirring sounds, a few clunks and then the motors
started whining as the giant, open-topped coffin started its descent.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptm7nMXGnpDnhiLpzKoJskafwiUEIFDyrLdpd9NfDx8hHrl0o0F75nn82uzV3muq5Z2ScieHcK1bXlUMcP-08v3dqS0uaF8X5C5cj82x0UOtqDZ9poXQBtLoWAHnnIKLu4ckim9ANqovd/s1600/Ambiorix+inside+at+top+of+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptm7nMXGnpDnhiLpzKoJskafwiUEIFDyrLdpd9NfDx8hHrl0o0F75nn82uzV3muq5Z2ScieHcK1bXlUMcP-08v3dqS0uaF8X5C5cj82x0UOtqDZ9poXQBtLoWAHnnIKLu4ckim9ANqovd/s640/Ambiorix+inside+at+top+of+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix at the top of the lift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaveWJNwxJrTuN9Y5-xmCvwFyVBTmuoW8rsSodrY9pdar7L5YrSWGQsdXUDuerXZ8NwGwMgB9kMCCn4PcvTCBqa3-6H4M-jfoN6-0DiA4qpOS5jfI32up2_3rdnSzFOPqUssyohXVFjjR/s1600/Ambiorix+inside+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaveWJNwxJrTuN9Y5-xmCvwFyVBTmuoW8rsSodrY9pdar7L5YrSWGQsdXUDuerXZ8NwGwMgB9kMCCn4PcvTCBqa3-6H4M-jfoN6-0DiA4qpOS5jfI32up2_3rdnSzFOPqUssyohXVFjjR/s640/Ambiorix+inside+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix at the bottom of the lift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
both stood quite quiet as we went down, admiring the views over
an impressive landscape, but still we saw no people. At the
bottom, the gate the other end of this giant coffin lifted we had a
green light and off we went. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
quite surreal, really! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
were soon leaving the lift behind us and on our way again with the
canal to ourselves. It is wide and deep and not very
exciting, the odd wharf or arm, the odd bit of
industry, a few motorway bridges, but nothing notable and a bit of an
anticlimax after the boat lift.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa_R27p-GBPCJshJXXC4ffsmhcrl82Q1vga08hzPcgCg8y4ZazmWSHU5HIXVuKBaRn4V6pm0l5rNqdMSKzj_rgSzyWD2YK_XutL-wtfgXhjd9UPJ0QovXHhMImiBs_y6iiJG4a7tgK2h7/s1600/Leaving+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa_R27p-GBPCJshJXXC4ffsmhcrl82Q1vga08hzPcgCg8y4ZazmWSHU5HIXVuKBaRn4V6pm0l5rNqdMSKzj_rgSzyWD2YK_XutL-wtfgXhjd9UPJ0QovXHhMImiBs_y6iiJG4a7tgK2h7/s640/Leaving+Strephy-Tieu+boat+lift.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the lift behind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
were now on the </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="fr-FR">Nimy</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="fr-FR">Blatton</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
canal heading for the river Schelde, we stopped for the night at the
junction with the canal Blatton-Ath/Dender, which we
were tempted to travel. However, it was 86km with 34 narrow
manual locks that needed a mobile team of lock keepers with
you to work the locks, and we wanted to push on. So we took the
decision to keep to the commercial routes as they should be quicker.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisfV7th3e55YvQtdRZG6spSrBdpJwsLozjBEe-sYyDwcH7ELP2wQxI2Dj1jO15_-aTJOUZanVllBOMRZebu6R457Y92uAs3-KI_hOBdQlGQ3TM1wVSMnEK3GxwtSvOaYNQKv60juPu6sk/s1600/Tied+up+where+the+old+line+of+the+canal+had+been+severed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisfV7th3e55YvQtdRZG6spSrBdpJwsLozjBEe-sYyDwcH7ELP2wQxI2Dj1jO15_-aTJOUZanVllBOMRZebu6R457Y92uAs3-KI_hOBdQlGQ3TM1wVSMnEK3GxwtSvOaYNQKv60juPu6sk/s640/Tied+up+where+the+old+line+of+the+canal+had+been+severed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tied where the old canal line had been severed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
had tied up at an interesting little place where the old line of the
canal had been severed and the junction of the Blatton Ath went off.
These were tiny canals in comparison to to the main line that we were
on and we tucked ourselves in to the entrance of the old canal, which
meant we are safely out of the way of any early commercials
on Monday morning. We then went for a walk to see the first
lock on this interesting little waterway. As we approached the lock a
sign said that you needed to book passage and have lock keepers with
you, you could see it didn’t get a lot of use. The pound above the
lock was reminiscent of the locks and pounds and canal around
Chris</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">tle</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ton
on the Shropshire Union canal on the way to Chester, all very pretty,
but not for us as we wanted to push on.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In
the next episode: Another stoppage, and glorious Ghent</b></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-74329897901678923002019-08-22T06:00:00.000+01:002019-08-22T06:00:01.179+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel Episode 9<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1386_134982314"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>OOPS
WE’VE SPRUNG A LEAK</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__531_2783491693"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf is on a</b></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b> boat buying trip of
a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge from the Mediterranean
to Belgium, and now onto the Channel coast. </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Last
month the surveyor gave</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>
his historic Belgian barge, a clean bill of health and the boatyard
welded and painted to get Ambiorix back in the water. But all is not
well.</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
awoke the next morning quite excited about planning to get off - we
were just waiting for a diesel delivery and for the carpenters to
come and do some woodwork that was damaged when the boat was being
moved around the ship yard.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No
worries as we also had a lot of work to do in putting the boat back
together after the repaint. But our excitement turned to dread when
we examined the bilges that morning.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmpgVe3iYL1OlmEvVfJpj0yoPzcoWRKhEmvnJJjvta1EmLOjP870ee4pd6m5MhT7mgMqZyzgcZOGk6C7vKR2LHo3_irSxTW5__LU0CF1ddqEkHiW6wR5un5LQT88Pi2ASyIfiRkPhNR7J/s1600/Ch+9+Fixing+the+1911+rivets+that+were+causing+the+leak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmpgVe3iYL1OlmEvVfJpj0yoPzcoWRKhEmvnJJjvta1EmLOjP870ee4pd6m5MhT7mgMqZyzgcZOGk6C7vKR2LHo3_irSxTW5__LU0CF1ddqEkHiW6wR5un5LQT88Pi2ASyIfiRkPhNR7J/s640/Ch+9+Fixing+the+1911+rivets+that+were+causing+the+leak.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cause of the leak - some old 1911 rivets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Water,
and it was everywhere, not deep water but bearing in mind the bilges
were bone dry it had to have come from somewhere. Was it some damage
on the hull from moving this 130 ton boat around the ship yard? We
wouldn't know until it was lifted back out of the water for further
inspection.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
I've seen hundreds of boats on the dock at Norbury and also ones that
have had leaks so I have a pretty good idea about such things.
Unfortunately I could not get into the bilge space.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
area was about 2ft 6” high but pretty much full of ballast from
bottom to the floor so my poor partner Amanda - she is only little -
had to crawl in to the space, firstly to pump out all of the water -
about 70 litres and then to try and find the leak.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After
a few days the leak turned in to a weep and almost healed itself up,
and I had a good idea it what it would be - probably a leaking rivet.
With a bit of tenacity from Amanda she found the area of the
offending rivet and so it was that once the slipway was free we were
hoisted up again, this time only far enough to see the affected area.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
I say tenacious I meant it, as its no mean feat finding a leak on
such a big boat. We had managed to measure the position of the leak
on the inside and then transfer that information to the outside where
Amanda proudly pointed at the spot.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
happened to be on an over-plated section of the hull and the workmen
set to and cut a 12” x18” patch out and - lo and behold - there
were three old 1911 rivets that had popped.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt6pmCbXTJDwDq6NXVhdhBjtU11AwbB9bzsrKjQ94MCp5w6NhQMigcHiljwKAq9OILkHPZ3K5kEahED_LeuiYesIziJjypk5VbK9uVeP6UUCsCq0zRocbGlJu7-XRfDchSjSaSi3-fXE6/s1600/Ch+9+Welding+the+patch+after+fixing+the+leak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt6pmCbXTJDwDq6NXVhdhBjtU11AwbB9bzsrKjQ94MCp5w6NhQMigcHiljwKAq9OILkHPZ3K5kEahED_LeuiYesIziJjypk5VbK9uVeP6UUCsCq0zRocbGlJu7-XRfDchSjSaSi3-fXE6/s640/Ch+9+Welding+the+patch+after+fixing+the+leak.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welding the rivets and patching the hull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was easy to weld them up, weld the outside of the plate up, and then
weld the patch back in. A few hours later, all painted, we were off
down the slipway once more to the river Meurse. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
set off enthusiastically, as we had been there so long we wanted to
get on the move again heading further North, much waiving to Akim,
and Michael and the other staff and we were off heading North and
through the Lock at Namur and shortly on to new waters.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
river Saone joins the river Meurse at Namur and is a much
smaller waterway, as we left the last lock in Namur we let a rather
large commercial go in front of us. The rules say to give way and
precedence to commercial craft and only right too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lIe4-JYDH8XsMU1xOmzCPkdorhsjAVfKJIjFlR6M1ERBFVCLk_X-vnC3ubcj215EoylvVld_ZGT6XfeAL6NRiex7l3VYTg-9VfYFf9K72gXFknqGh7evOj8Ysm9VS6Wh56ur9E_0TNY/s1600/Ch+9+Back+on+the+water+and+these+commercial+barges+need+a+lot+of+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-lIe4-JYDH8XsMU1xOmzCPkdorhsjAVfKJIjFlR6M1ERBFVCLk_X-vnC3ubcj215EoylvVld_ZGT6XfeAL6NRiex7l3VYTg-9VfYFf9K72gXFknqGh7evOj8Ysm9VS6Wh56ur9E_0TNY/s640/Ch+9+Back+on+the+water+and+these+commercial+barges+need+a+lot+of+space.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These large commercial boats take up most of the waterway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Yes
we are sort of commercial, as the boat will ultimately be sold for
profit, but we are not time dependant like these guys! As we turned
on to the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saône</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
we had to wait behind this large commercial vessel as another one
came around the tight bend taking up the entire width of the water
way in doing so. The boat in front slowly moved off and that also
filled the entire waterway. We were glad we were following that and
didn't meet the one coming the other way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At
the first lock it is very industrial and we had to wait several hours
for the commercials to pass through this very slow lock. The Sambre
goes all the way from Belgium and in to France - 87km long - but we
were only going about half way before we turned off.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is pretty much an industrial canalised river with lots of commercial
traffic, and not very wide so navigating it was a little tricky, we
shared some locks with commercials when there was space - and they
were very accommodating indeed, going diagonally if needed so we
could squeeze in diagonally behind them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
pushed on all day long until the locks closed and we were forced to
tie up above a lock just as it was going dark. Nice mooring and very
quiet. This river has bankside moorings above the locks which is much
more pleasant than the Rhone. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Next
morning we were up early as I wanted to clear this industrial canal
and head out in to a more rural scene, not too many locks to do, but
all big ones with lock keepers. We managed to clear the last lock
before it closed, and that was great as we were then on cruising out
in to the countryside and no more locks-well at least for that day.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Unlike
the UK canals where you can stop almost anywhere, it is not so easy
to moor on these big commercial waterways. The passing boats don't
slow down and the banks can either be quite high or slope in to the
water. So we pushed on along the Canal de </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Charleroi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
a </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bruxelles</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
towards the next junction where I knew there was a good quay with
excellent bollards and in a nice quiet place. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD7eh-R9zsmEPBuRoB94RKtYXBy4qAxXSKGMkwT96mVlk6Vv8tEgaO88-P4DxlxUF8vdHJiUrNiFFo8IwwVjcJAtQj9NayxwKxTAdmApb2Dz5qxl1grEgpnSUd8YnMWFq-tqXGkS_kO5J/s1600/Ch+9+Passing+a+long+commercial+vessel+with+a+lady+skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD7eh-R9zsmEPBuRoB94RKtYXBy4qAxXSKGMkwT96mVlk6Vv8tEgaO88-P4DxlxUF8vdHJiUrNiFFo8IwwVjcJAtQj9NayxwKxTAdmApb2Dz5qxl1grEgpnSUd8YnMWFq-tqXGkS_kO5J/s640/Ch+9+Passing+a+long+commercial+vessel+with+a+lady+skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing a long commercial boat with a female skipper</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
passed only one other boat, a loaded commercial about 100m long and
steered by a lady. It’s not uncommon for women to steer these big
boats on the canal in Belgium. It started to get darker and by the
time we reached our mooring for the night it was pitch black. This
boat lights up like a Christmas tree if you turn all of the outside
lights on, which I did, making mooring really easy and we must have
looked like a space ship coming in to dock!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>In
the next episode: Heading for the coast – via the biggest boat lift
we have ever seen.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-33841012176008755612019-07-25T06:00:00.000+01:002019-07-25T06:00:03.612+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel Episode 8<span style="font-size: large;">NEWS FROM NORBURY</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1382_134982314"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>BOATYARD
IN SIGHT</b></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal,</b></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>has
been on</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
the boat buying trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge
back to Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores
of the Mediterranean.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UvWYYoTRPryNKkqXEHogg42ujY5c7wixULyEcg42abo08bF6XVyJkY8tT2bbALcjOaHKsM2KWASgp7hcYI-EPoARm068Na08rLQbyTInudTXLoR4kjcncgcWbLjb_3I0_DNNOBaq45Lv/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda%252C+back+at+base+-+Norbury+Wharf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UvWYYoTRPryNKkqXEHogg42ujY5c7wixULyEcg42abo08bF6XVyJkY8tT2bbALcjOaHKsM2KWASgp7hcYI-EPoARm068Na08rLQbyTInudTXLoR4kjcncgcWbLjb_3I0_DNNOBaq45Lv/s320/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda%252C+back+at+base+-+Norbury+Wharf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Last month he travelled through </b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>the
Ardennes to Namur where he said goodbye to his crew, Now it is time
to find out the truth about his historic Belgian barge.</b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
had a couple of days off, I think we deserved it, we had travelled
over 1200 km, through 230 locks in a total of 19 days cruising. This
was the first leg of our journey nearly over, after a much-needed
break and some sightseeing around the beautiful city of Namur we
untied and headed for our temporary mooring at a boat club at an old
lock at a place called Lives-Sur-Meurse,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrI555D3SKT-QS-GWdMpnlEp4RPGazwl3f_9GV4G1Cjxos1hHKiRvmyYiOF3DvuRJ6mPidHk2CdndhSRrZU1_6kXqeCSundhJMbQxApWfJUCg_1LKMlSclx9o3dcbZzgL-yNz3-7J1Wjt/s1600/Ch+8+Dawn+on+the+way+to+our+temporary+mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrI555D3SKT-QS-GWdMpnlEp4RPGazwl3f_9GV4G1Cjxos1hHKiRvmyYiOF3DvuRJ6mPidHk2CdndhSRrZU1_6kXqeCSundhJMbQxApWfJUCg_1LKMlSclx9o3dcbZzgL-yNz3-7J1Wjt/s640/Ch+8+Dawn+on+the+way+to+our+temporary+mooring.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn on the way to the mooring</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
was at one of the old locks on the river and we were given permission
to put the boat at the bottom of a ten foot wall on the river side of
the lock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bloody
hell - the commercial barges just don't stop - almost 24 hours a day
they come past at speeds of 15 kmph, loaded down to their gunwales,
weighing up to 2,500 tons, and really close to us. We had eight ropes
out to secure us, and even then the ropes would heave and stretch at
an alarming rate, going ‘ping-pinggg-pingggggg’ until I really
thought they would break. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8NOM6mGjhAyz8cFmIaKi-7u9STRpORKa__TXyDIsgMY_zyVZsKszDtPBOCYZF6JQhk5XkBta9mMSiZs2ls0yw2k0OMbj4uSc27rfIqqMYuiNgseip_iYPh7WGGBWBHbXCoF09D960b1U/s1600/Ch+8+The+non-stop+commercial+traffic+didn%2527t+slow+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8NOM6mGjhAyz8cFmIaKi-7u9STRpORKa__TXyDIsgMY_zyVZsKszDtPBOCYZF6JQhk5XkBta9mMSiZs2ls0yw2k0OMbj4uSc27rfIqqMYuiNgseip_iYPh7WGGBWBHbXCoF09D960b1U/s640/Ch+8+The+non-stop+commercial+traffic+didn%2527t+slow+down.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The commercial barges don't slow down</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
worried me a little that the boat would be left there unattended for
two months whilst we returned back to the UK, but return we must. The
next day saw a taxi at silly-o’clock pick us up and take us to
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Charleroi</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
airport for our return to Blighty. Oh how much I was looking forward
to an English curry - that sounds wrong, I know!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was arranged that the local ship yard at a place called Beez would
side-slip the boat on September 10, and that a local surveyor would
conduct the first survey two days later. So after our stay back in UK
catching up on jobs at Norbury and buying much needed essentials for
the boat - much cheaper here than the continent because the pounds is
so weak against the Euro - we headed back to Belgium with the car
full to the brim with stuff for the boat, plus clothes and personal
items as we knew this would be another long time spent away from
home.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
it was with some trepidation that we arrived at the boat club,
worried what I might find. To my surprise the boat was fine. The
ropes had stretched somewhat and I’m glad I had put rope protectors
where the ropes came over the wall to protect against chaffing, but
everything on the boat was fine, except the water pump had decided to
pack up. Soon sorted that with a bit of persuasion to the motor. </span></span></span>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was hard work lowering everything down on to the boat 10ft below
using a rope, there were some heavy items like two 20 litre oil drums
for the engine service, new water pump and accumulator (not like the
ones we use on narrowboats) and some rather large ropes for securing
the boat, as well as suitcase full of the missus's clothes (I think
she thought she was not coming home ever).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
might have been a kitchen sink in there too, I lost count of
everything in the end, but there was a new gas hob, so chances are
the sink wouldn't have been far behind! Another trip to the local
supermarket and we were ready for the off and up to the shipyard.</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
departed from our temporary mooring for the half an hour trip to the
shipyard and tied up by a large quay, which was a good 16ft up from
the water with ladders. I stayed put until I saw the carriages (known
as Shires) being lowered down the side slip rails and in to the
water.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUdAAVEk6YGW39dQArTTQUALWOhFE70JdzReFEPCrd34yBxAGdqlXiUa5Qc-Am2jsQlZvmdckuMFKA36A9Ua9_Hfj0bU_RMFAgjtcbzNyGyyacdXO-CRMNp_V3ALh0EwC7L3legwniyHn/s1600/Ch+8+Ambiorix+out+of+the+water+ready+for+the+surveyor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUdAAVEk6YGW39dQArTTQUALWOhFE70JdzReFEPCrd34yBxAGdqlXiUa5Qc-Am2jsQlZvmdckuMFKA36A9Ua9_Hfj0bU_RMFAgjtcbzNyGyyacdXO-CRMNp_V3ALh0EwC7L3legwniyHn/s640/Ch+8+Ambiorix+out+of+the+water+ready+for+the+surveyor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the water at the boatyard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
were beckoned towards them and floated over the top of the three of
them. Slowly we felt the boat staring to feel different as it settled
on to these large carriages as they were being drawn back up the side
slip, anew experience for me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60j2pfEgFr2s-kCXSYqJD71Wj49-lp3ZX_k9EeuV2YCb_C7AvtSx7Ut6KT6Yem0vADTwh_lXmu_Fgyds77mbzoSlVTxsxtsZ6sdlkSVcxRTPAq9yxuWPxmJ0MCQYKKuPbPwgY30zQqPJw/s1600/Ch+8+The+vessel+being+shunted+around+the+boatyard+on+railway+trackds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60j2pfEgFr2s-kCXSYqJD71Wj49-lp3ZX_k9EeuV2YCb_C7AvtSx7Ut6KT6Yem0vADTwh_lXmu_Fgyds77mbzoSlVTxsxtsZ6sdlkSVcxRTPAq9yxuWPxmJ0MCQYKKuPbPwgY30zQqPJw/s640/Ch+8+The+vessel+being+shunted+around+the+boatyard+on+railway+trackds.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The railway bogies supporting the boat</td></tr>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
have docked hundreds of boats, side launched boats, craned boats, but
nothing like this. We waited patiently until at the top of the
railway lines. A tower crane swung around with a rather large steel
set of steps which it placed next to the boat so that we could get
off and in to the ship yard.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
were greeted by the loveliest of men called Akim. He showed us where
the water and electricity were, and then I made my way to see
Michael, the yard manager, to discuss the works. We set up a meeting
with the local painting team, and that was it, they started straight
away in pressure washing the hull in preparation for the hull survey
two days later.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQKkY7b64PF8O_YTU0TOfH7ia6_lJyW8AU9dtmBxK8BLq-OYDHgtPcV3dnguh0oWNNm7XcN3ozanItpqkq1j1YdSflSJbW8LAKC1CRLeym54aLmIEsIh47IY07cn_LpPPli66f3JG-pjd/s1600/Ch+8+At+the+top+of+the+tracks.+The+vessel+behind+is+a+new+hotel+ship+being+built.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQKkY7b64PF8O_YTU0TOfH7ia6_lJyW8AU9dtmBxK8BLq-OYDHgtPcV3dnguh0oWNNm7XcN3ozanItpqkq1j1YdSflSJbW8LAKC1CRLeym54aLmIEsIh47IY07cn_LpPPli66f3JG-pjd/s640/Ch+8+At+the+top+of+the+tracks.+The+vessel+behind+is+a+new+hotel+ship+being+built.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of the slope, next to the hotel boat being built</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dry
docks, slipways, hard standing - it is not a pleasant place to be
when stopping on boat, but in the middle of a massive ship yard which
is working 24hr a day to complete the enormous passenger ship which
was next to us was even more unpleasant.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
didn’t matter during the day as we both had plenty of jobs to do,
but it was difficult to really relax in the evening with giant flood
lights lighting up the curtains and the sound of workmen clanging and
banging around - but they had a job to do. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
surveyor duly turned up as agreed and set to banging the hull with
his hammer-taking thickness readings and marking the hull with
chalk-I have seen it done hundreds of times before on the dry dock at
Norbury so I wasn't fazed by it at all. The play was measured in the
prop shaft bearing and the rudder bearing and they were well within
tolerance; and then the good news came in the form of the surveyor
who announced that the hull was sound, and that it was always a
pleasure to do this boat because of its excellent condition.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy22YhmCbPyIAta0i_DH-75MIRGA-fbwRxuELghEFCtKIUf6LznVVxu1pOhtmut-l6HEGSu0J-1-ShNAb5PzyP-jlX11saZOjR90GgAdLWQPrzg50fuMui6pJJocehtN5X2ooF3IKg-4F-/s1600/Ch+8+The+first+view+of+Ambiorix%2527s+stern+gear+-+all+in+good+order.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy22YhmCbPyIAta0i_DH-75MIRGA-fbwRxuELghEFCtKIUf6LznVVxu1pOhtmut-l6HEGSu0J-1-ShNAb5PzyP-jlX11saZOjR90GgAdLWQPrzg50fuMui6pJJocehtN5X2ooF3IKg-4F-/s640/Ch+8+The+first+view+of+Ambiorix%2527s+stern+gear+-+all+in+good+order.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A first look at the stern gear - it gets a thumbs up from the surveyor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">That
was a big weight off my mind as, when we bought the boat, we had
done the deal at a massively reduced rate on an ‘as seen as is
basis,’ so it was a big relief that the gamble had paid off! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
next day we had the meeting with the painters, a few jobs were
discussed with the welders like fitting 20 new anodes and some fender
eyes and that was it. Off we went again only this time we were being
moved backwards along another set of railway lines - like a railway
truck being shunted around a freight yard.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
had two purposes - one to free up the slip so they could launch this
huge hotel ship they had been building for the last year or so, and
to put us in a place for the painting works to be completed. We
decided that we needed a break from all of this so so we jumped in
the car and returned home for a few days.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
returned to the boat, this time on our motorbike, as this would make
life so much easier. We could lift it on to the boat and then the
next leg of the journey meant we didn't have to worry about
collecting the car when we reached our final destination. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
works were progressing well and they quoted about ten days with a
team of painters to finish the job, providing the weather was kind,
of which it mostly was.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqs-R1fefz7fnE5FvpBspMuzv4nkGPHgACV110AvRiSh2cwFM5v3BSK6yVt4kngvHA9j-yTtyDEQwquFU2ODV1_a5hit-cbJL_Rjn4g2ic45OA-GR8hF0hsg0fgvO_oWJwEam3LyTcDH9/s1600/Ch+8+Ambiorix+with+the+bottom+and+sides+painted+and+new+anodes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqs-R1fefz7fnE5FvpBspMuzv4nkGPHgACV110AvRiSh2cwFM5v3BSK6yVt4kngvHA9j-yTtyDEQwquFU2ODV1_a5hit-cbJL_Rjn4g2ic45OA-GR8hF0hsg0fgvO_oWJwEam3LyTcDH9/s640/Ch+8+Ambiorix+with+the+bottom+and+sides+painted+and+new+anodes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix in her new livery - ready to return to the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
finished and then there was a delay in relaunching because of another
big boat on the slip - and then the day came for relaunch. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sporting
her new livery, her freshly painted bottom in red anti foul and
everything looking wonderful it was a great sight. There were a hair
raising few moments when they picked the motorbike up with the tower
crane, hoisting it a long way in the air and then swung it about like
a conker on a piece of string. The crane trundled along the railway
tracks and safely deposited the bike on the back of the boat, while I
was thinking ‘how the hell do I explain this to the insurance
company.’ </span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Off
the boat now wobbles down the railway line on the slip and back in to
the water-we reversed back to the quay where we started from and
celebrated with a drink on the back deck. But all was not what it
seemed and we would need that drink again the next day!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In
the next episode: Back in the water – but is that a leak?</b></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-71560031123572858352019-06-27T06:00:00.000+01:002019-06-27T06:00:00.899+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - Episode 7<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1378_134982314"></a>
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>TOWARDS
THE ARDENNES</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has
been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and,
for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvp7_ejQ22Jd5WD_OKcmchdyVAQJRZTAbqoMjdjuXK80ndT4W5IqKj5I-kFF1NXH2CLK1gLaplkYpmNuN2j3NWhiMWHd_5TorHLGYDTA4O4sPNDEKqINb4DHquGPJS9mhi0iTp6M1xOeA/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvp7_ejQ22Jd5WD_OKcmchdyVAQJRZTAbqoMjdjuXK80ndT4W5IqKj5I-kFF1NXH2CLK1gLaplkYpmNuN2j3NWhiMWHd_5TorHLGYDTA4O4sPNDEKqINb4DHquGPJS9mhi0iTp6M1xOeA/s320/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>He
is back from the boat buying trip of a lifetime, bringing his first
historic barge back to Belgium, from the shores of the Mediterranean.
Last month he came</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
up against manual locks which took him onto another of Europe’s
major waterways and an angry Frenchman. Now he is approaching his
destination and the Ardennes is coming up</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Canal de la Marne au Rhin is 289 km long and has 127 small locks,
although we would only be doing a relatively short section of it and
a few locks. As we turned onto this canal there were a lot more
boats, and people boating. This was the first time we had seen so
many boats on the move. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Through
a lock and even more boats, including a weed cutting boat was dodging
here and there in the middle of the canal like a ‘water boatman’
insect collecting piles and piles of weeds. I hoped this wasn't going
to be a sign of things to come further along this canal. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtkgpwh3nVSaDuJKj5-Fwyjpm76T0wlOSVzTwKIKU4B0DjnTdZwZgTdHXYE8uR1dgWUDEkyG78yQ43QQmM29ktEnjvJLvCxikHbIJH8y6kEnn8ktlzjauNzCuTNMU0lFDNL8eSwEbvi6N/s1600/Ep+7+The+small+locks+were+getting+further+apart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtkgpwh3nVSaDuJKj5-Fwyjpm76T0wlOSVzTwKIKU4B0DjnTdZwZgTdHXYE8uR1dgWUDEkyG78yQ43QQmM29ktEnjvJLvCxikHbIJH8y6kEnn8ktlzjauNzCuTNMU0lFDNL8eSwEbvi6N/s640/Ep+7+The+small+locks+were+getting+further+apart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small locks were getting further apart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
canal had a different feel about it, there seemed more industry as
well as old industry, as we cruised along, then another lock and a
tunnel. Just before the tunnel there was an island in the middle of
the canal and the tunnel entrance was at an angle, making entering
the tunnel very tricky indeed with a big boat.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
tunnel was no problem but this canal seemed to have some very tight
bends on it and then long straight sections. We approached another
junction and a massive cement works on our right hand side which was
a horrible blot on the landscape, and now turned right and on to the
Canal de L’Est Nord Branche.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
canal became crystal clear and we could see the bottom, and the
weeds. This didn't bode well and I hoped that this wouldn't be the
norm for this canal. I suspect that it was the lime that had caused
the water to be so clear, you could see where it had leached in to
the canal and every structure along past the cement works was covered
in dust that had solidified over time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2f9DckFVXhvwKytbWBDV0vIRwt2_CQbhxiXPLw3tM9GKDZ-X6PjmfwMPX12hURBHNykYeRW2h5_UYtKN5RJ7D237Z9Tws34hPVXW7KbYj9xVgAmYO74SvfRY5bNJtX2sq3eMYwryXoQC/s1600/Ep+7+The+canal+became+crystal+clear+and+we+could+see+the+bottom%252C+and+the+weeds..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2f9DckFVXhvwKytbWBDV0vIRwt2_CQbhxiXPLw3tM9GKDZ-X6PjmfwMPX12hURBHNykYeRW2h5_UYtKN5RJ7D237Z9Tws34hPVXW7KbYj9xVgAmYO74SvfRY5bNJtX2sq3eMYwryXoQC/s640/Ep+7+The+canal+became+crystal+clear+and+we+could+see+the+bottom%252C+and+the+weeds..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canal became crystal clear and we could see the bottom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
dragged the bottom of the canal, churning up weeds as we went, very
slow progress, and it felt even slower than it probably was. The
canal had some tight bends which went around the cement works, so it
meant it was in our company for quite a long time - like some alien
invasion that had devoured the hillside and surrounding area</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After
that the canal carried on, opening up through countryside, and then
more industry, we were now following the river Meuse and from time to
time the river would join the canal and the navigation would get
wider and deeper. We were now on the Canal de Meurse, 88 km with 42
small locks, and amongst the names redolent of World War l. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
passed through Verdun, a stunning place and somewhere that would have
been nice to stay and look around but, unfortunately, we did not have
the time. There were lots of barges tied up and the town seemed to
take more interest in its navigation. Bars and restaurants were
clearly visible by the cut, and judging by the boats it was a popular
spot.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2CQksNiqsJHR9noCQHUBZHGMR4d5NqBiHs8-ZZ4EDu_yuSSXHeDvDRJuiYwqqZaBGD24hg17QPP7bto2buDDfceezJpRELowvXcJQ8XTH3xuS-G6JV5MJl1LESiPzfl4Np4A97nXIVyz/s1600/Ep+7+Verdun+and+lots+moored+boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2CQksNiqsJHR9noCQHUBZHGMR4d5NqBiHs8-ZZ4EDu_yuSSXHeDvDRJuiYwqqZaBGD24hg17QPP7bto2buDDfceezJpRELowvXcJQ8XTH3xuS-G6JV5MJl1LESiPzfl4Np4A97nXIVyz/s640/Ep+7+Verdun+and+lots+moored+boats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verdun and lots of moored boats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
canal really took on a different feel now, but I was being fooled
and, in a short distance, we were back on small canals, I wish it
would make its mind up as to what it is. Back out in to the
countryside again and the landscape was changing as we were slowly
going from fairly flat lands towards rolling countryside and
eventually in to valleys.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOHg-ujSOwCKRjjeSxOrLk82JIt5q-Mgotb-lrjj9T3XXGa_lAXVkyN7QZa0m_vwhTnwzjjKeMYQN7yZARoZec4UtBVvzAGtCwxBPgCrc6N8qizPxvbrwk8glY2-a0Pi7rPD7CwNef0hd/s1600/Ep+7+Engulfed+by+ancient+woodland+interspersed+with+small+towns+and+quaint+villages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOHg-ujSOwCKRjjeSxOrLk82JIt5q-Mgotb-lrjj9T3XXGa_lAXVkyN7QZa0m_vwhTnwzjjKeMYQN7yZARoZec4UtBVvzAGtCwxBPgCrc6N8qizPxvbrwk8glY2-a0Pi7rPD7CwNef0hd/s640/Ep+7+Engulfed+by+ancient+woodland+interspersed+with+small+towns+and+quaint+villages.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Ardennes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
meandered our way for what seemed like miles and miles towards the
Belgium border - entering the famous Ardennes region - and it was
breathtaking. Vast woodlands clung to the hillsides and down to the
canal on one side, with open views across farmland on the other.
Glimpses of small villages and the sound of the church bells wafting
across the fields, almost beckoning one to come to church, It was
really like going back in time.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSx2UWizfWM_m4JV3ssjmq9Eg0udSdkIwWVa5rR4G7hh_NQsVijzR7EUMHaPgQEmPcQ94g4QFA5Aa3BfkuGAzFUZtnHtAIBEXVqdtRcW0dejYUkyZnoNTfT4PgWZCNSz4AJTJiANQuvQ9/s1600/Ep+7+Ambiorix+on+a+misty+village+mooring+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSx2UWizfWM_m4JV3ssjmq9Eg0udSdkIwWVa5rR4G7hh_NQsVijzR7EUMHaPgQEmPcQ94g4QFA5Aa3BfkuGAzFUZtnHtAIBEXVqdtRcW0dejYUkyZnoNTfT4PgWZCNSz4AJTJiANQuvQ9/s640/Ep+7+Ambiorix+on+a+misty+village+mooring+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambiorix on a village mooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then
the navigation was becoming much bigger again and the small locks
were getting further apart. The buildings were also looking more
business-like rather than quaint cottages. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
pace soon picked up as we were doing large river sections now, then
slowed down slightly by short canal sections that by passed weirs or
shallow sections of the river. We were in the middle of the Ardenne
proper now and almost totally engulfed by ancient woodland
interspersed with small towns and quaint villages - this was really
turning in to a stunning river.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc7irHm99_xHf0sunmEqCun1IbE28-QZHz-JqVpIF3oW4wNpqZn32jF03_lMvGc5ZcXN3rrch2-FohEjwBkx62kIAJ2WswEiWbFl-q_dmYE90kyaEbigCdvp2aVpCM3hn2yO_0HXCNmmw/s1600/Ep+7+tight+locks+and+lots+of+bridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc7irHm99_xHf0sunmEqCun1IbE28-QZHz-JqVpIF3oW4wNpqZn32jF03_lMvGc5ZcXN3rrch2-FohEjwBkx62kIAJ2WswEiWbFl-q_dmYE90kyaEbigCdvp2aVpCM3hn2yO_0HXCNmmw/s640/Ep+7+tight+locks+and+lots+of+bridges.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tight locks and lots of bridges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Small
campsites started to appear and the river took on more recreational
use, water ski areas, jet skies, motorhome parks - we were now
heading in to Belgium on the river Meuse, the locks suddenly became
bigger and had lock keepers - we didn't have to operate them anymore
with our ‘garage door opener’.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
also started to see much bigger commercial boats again - a sign that
we were heading for </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Namur</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and lots more commercial traffic.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
left France at </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Givet</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and now we were in the French speaking Wallonia region of Belgium.
The navigable river </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Meurse</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
also know as the Mass, is 115km long and stretches from the French
Border town of Givet all the way to the Netherlands border and
Maastricht, although we wouldn't be going all of the way as our
destination for now wasn't far away near </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Namur.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA7utnditnwifDwCwP1j4nGdJQi8K0zkzxxVIyCFcv4zv8LrZLUleT2zPgnQVBNjtva_I8B1lvlZAM4B7AN9ktiMqdT2hA8gnfEIOpuidxxGJ1ePRsbwmBSFaHKAHpbSpPpXgqweYwU9W/s1600/Ep+7+These+English+narrowboats+get+everywhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA7utnditnwifDwCwP1j4nGdJQi8K0zkzxxVIyCFcv4zv8LrZLUleT2zPgnQVBNjtva_I8B1lvlZAM4B7AN9ktiMqdT2hA8gnfEIOpuidxxGJ1ePRsbwmBSFaHKAHpbSpPpXgqweYwU9W/s640/Ep+7+These+English+narrowboats+get+everywhere.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These English narrowboats get everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
passed through stunning towns such as </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dinant</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
with its fantastic churches and monuments, some incredible riverside
properties, massive rock formations and cliffs coming down to the
waters edge with people rock climbing. Roads and railways follow the
river’s course through the valley and this was the most spectacular
river section I have ever been on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Finally
we came into to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Namur</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
which was where our crew would be leaving us, we had a farewell
dinner in a local restaurant and bid them farewell, we stayed in
Namur and had a couple of days off. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N5MT417yuFQrzHlAE8VwcgFuS5QIL6OmTfRNQ4DhsFGuXOsYg2fjIW_NmysVJpF0zvCyGYUfZXZexDDKVfwhaPlTKOkafd8nU2aSH5C5Nkiz4rAEqOvKea00Hkymosyvo_Rk1ASItG25/s1600/Ep+7+Ambiorix+tied+in+Namur%252C+where+our+crew+left+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N5MT417yuFQrzHlAE8VwcgFuS5QIL6OmTfRNQ4DhsFGuXOsYg2fjIW_NmysVJpF0zvCyGYUfZXZexDDKVfwhaPlTKOkafd8nU2aSH5C5Nkiz4rAEqOvKea00Hkymosyvo_Rk1ASItG25/s640/Ep+7+Ambiorix+tied+in+Namur%252C+where+our+crew+left+us.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>In
the next episode: The boatyard and </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>time
to find out the truth about his historic Belgian barge</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-90421442494688925452019-05-23T06:00:00.000+01:002019-05-23T06:00:01.520+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat Episode 6<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1373_134982314"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>MANUAL
LOCKS – AND A CLASH WITH A FRENCH BARGEE</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has
been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and,
for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuWkc1y_9wrplsCposeHCu0elAzP-vA8BVCE3RjUDcRlRYh_dxStLskn7zVpFDCLoBDtIKiWSrIYDOO82snAdhSLevS6iay_Ti8ze7nqG78iS_yz2Vb4QcyHNrq-WslmHoc362pZzYaVp/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuWkc1y_9wrplsCposeHCu0elAzP-vA8BVCE3RjUDcRlRYh_dxStLskn7zVpFDCLoBDtIKiWSrIYDOO82snAdhSLevS6iay_Ti8ze7nqG78iS_yz2Vb4QcyHNrq-WslmHoc362pZzYaVp/s320/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>He is just back from the boat buying
trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to
Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the
Mediterranean. Last month </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>he
met old friends, and avoided crushing a mad Englishman. Now he comes
up against manual locks which take him onto another of Europe’s
major waterways and an angry Frenchman.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
we are now heading downhill and are following the river Moselle, at
some point and I cant remember when the locks went from automated to
manual. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sacre</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">bleu</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
I thought – I am now thinking in French, of course - but to my
amazement they all had lock keepers. Some were students doing summer
work and others were full time lock keepers who were mobile, so drove
to the next lock to get it ready. I was liking this. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
bit of industry started to occupy the canal and then the first
commercial boats we had seen since leaving the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saône.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
These were purpose built ones used over short distances, unlike the
large ones we had been used to seeing with their wonderful rear
cabins and cars plonked on top. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvw8Knluslt1AUuQdz4afz4L22K0o3DI4QlhIWBbGT0Ba7mPEjOiJZ9zjEY0naSB3Afu9TfMshyphenhyphen8saB5ejWGvfbAvTKuPfd0s5WSYNVtJQWsT90Eh1-n4LTRLIDYnYaSudtLx4rFvjeWC/s1600/Ep+6+Boats+with+wonderful+rear+cabins+and+cars+plonked+on+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvw8Knluslt1AUuQdz4afz4L22K0o3DI4QlhIWBbGT0Ba7mPEjOiJZ9zjEY0naSB3Afu9TfMshyphenhyphen8saB5ejWGvfbAvTKuPfd0s5WSYNVtJQWsT90Eh1-n4LTRLIDYnYaSudtLx4rFvjeWC/s640/Ep+6+Boats+with+wonderful+rear+cabins+and+cars+plonked+on+top.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats with wonderful rear cabins and cars plonked on top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
were being employed on what appeared to be an aggregate job, it must
have been the weekend as there was no sign of life, or maybe it was
their lunch time, which seems to start at about 10am and finish at
about 3pm. Well that’s what it seemed like! The canal becoming
industrial and built up was quite a nice change after being out in
the countryside for ages, it made a nice contrast. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
wasn't long before we were back out in the sticks, though, not a very
exciting canal and nothing really notable. We crossed the river
Moselle on a modern looking aqueduct, then through yet another lock
and, all of a sudden, I noticed that we were picking up speed, we now
had part of the river Moselle with us. That didn't last long -
another lock and back to ditch crawling - but things were changing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
we progressed the river came in and out of the canal, it was getting
wider and our pace had picked up and then we locked through a small
lock and into what seemed like another world.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Straight
in to a huge inland port surrounded by ships and huge barges just
like the ones we had seen on the Rhone. We progressed past the vast
steel works with their loading bays and railway lines, more aggregate
loading wharves, and giant gantry cranes with huge magnets unloading
barges full of scrap. We had reached the river Moselle and its inland
ports.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQD9tsgINo2FxUiKmutXkVX97buXPbXLGBBeJD5M6x4K3mTyMNOCwHjDoX92CepT6BD-_Gl7AqZF0lE424r0clM30-KLgDcLuuPEhG62rJHSML4oeEGpVlpB26yYOgxRwk3FY0cS2AqUE/s1600/Ep+6+Giant+gantry+cranes+with+huge+magnets+unloading+barges+full+of+scrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQD9tsgINo2FxUiKmutXkVX97buXPbXLGBBeJD5M6x4K3mTyMNOCwHjDoX92CepT6BD-_Gl7AqZF0lE424r0clM30-KLgDcLuuPEhG62rJHSML4oeEGpVlpB26yYOgxRwk3FY0cS2AqUE/s640/Ep+6+Giant+gantry+cranes+with+huge+magnets+unloading+barges+full+of+scrap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant gantry cranes with huge magnets unloading barges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto24gjW7Ygh61mn5huZ2UQznW6K3mYiVW-ttSvxlcjuRQwGJmCDVnZaO7IjMcxFnEIwFGz8ZrrWaLz0ChyDywGIYujB2QmrPARpOXzBYrpIxarTQoMP607pWtNSaZnzT-drOfneDVYoWN/s1600/Ep+6+The+first+commercial+boats+we+had+seen+since+leaving+the+Sa%25C3%25B4ne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto24gjW7Ygh61mn5huZ2UQznW6K3mYiVW-ttSvxlcjuRQwGJmCDVnZaO7IjMcxFnEIwFGz8ZrrWaLz0ChyDywGIYujB2QmrPARpOXzBYrpIxarTQoMP607pWtNSaZnzT-drOfneDVYoWN/s640/Ep+6+The+first+commercial+boats+we+had+seen+since+leaving+the+Sa%25C3%25B4ne.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aggregate work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
only had a short journey to do on this mighty river. The lock keeper
called us in once he had cleared a commercial tug and advised us to
move down river to a small jetty where we should stay the night.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
out onto the Moselle – 152 km long with 16 locks, each 172 m x11 m,
fortunately we would only be doing a short stretch and a couple of
locks, we passed through the large lock and on to the main river and
carried on our way to the mooring that was suggested, no other places
to tie up between the two locks anyway. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
mooring soon came in to sight and there was a French barge already on
the mooring, no problem we shall pull alongside, something customary
over in France where a boat tied to the bank is considered to be part
of the bank therefore another boat is allowed to tie alongside.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG3isv5kn9SJJk60pntUeo5VQH9e5YdsvkaUksawHJwn1bwV3yijOHe3kXH6P92WN9lA9HzaMZR8eOROlyWxOdc9vJJyqvvS_034nKPrUpnUwQLNHbsZwYoqtHkWwn7ySeB6TUmFp-Vsd/s1600/Ep+6+The+mooring+soon+came+in+to+sight+and+there+was+a+French+barge+already+on+the+mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG3isv5kn9SJJk60pntUeo5VQH9e5YdsvkaUksawHJwn1bwV3yijOHe3kXH6P92WN9lA9HzaMZR8eOROlyWxOdc9vJJyqvvS_034nKPrUpnUwQLNHbsZwYoqtHkWwn7ySeB6TUmFp-Vsd/s640/Ep+6+The+mooring+soon+came+in+to+sight+and+there+was+a+French+barge+already+on+the+mooring.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a French barge already on the mooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not
in this instance, a vile French couple came out shouting at us in
French "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Vous</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">ne</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
pouvez pas amarrer </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">votre</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">bateau</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
à </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">côté</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
de </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">mon</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
bateau, cochons anglais. Je me fiche de savoir si vous avez
l'autorisation du gardien de l'écluse. Il est </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">probablement</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
aussi cochon anglais. Allez amarrer votre bateau ailleurs chez vous.
Porcs anglais, je vais couper vos cordages. si vous essayez de vous
amarrer à côté de moi!</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">”
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
A
rough translation sounds a bit Monty Python: “</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">You
can not dock your boat next to my boat, English pigs. I do not care
if you have permission from the lock keeper. He is probably also an
English pig. Go moor your boat elsewhere at home. English pigs, I
will cut your ropes. if you try to moor beside me!</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
" </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
was like a scene from Trafalgar but without the cannons, oh and no
Nelson. We told them that we had been instructed to stay there, but
they were having none of it, so, for a quiet night, we carried on to
the next lock as the sun was setting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1_YwSo6N1NjqnkhQLjU6gaLvzB74Q7SFqFSlYptXgcCU7_4acuqXv3TGJRp0upiPtLfpqxoqEILNNm_LkYqs9b0leN4JKqNSXcF5T2H4DVMxwXG7P0wLd3-dTc_6pxIZBh-41FE3WTwb/s1600/Ep+6+Every+bend+the+river+opened+up+a+more+dramatic+vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1_YwSo6N1NjqnkhQLjU6gaLvzB74Q7SFqFSlYptXgcCU7_4acuqXv3TGJRp0upiPtLfpqxoqEILNNm_LkYqs9b0leN4JKqNSXcF5T2H4DVMxwXG7P0wLd3-dTc_6pxIZBh-41FE3WTwb/s640/Ep+6+Every+bend+the+river+opened+up+a+more+dramatic+vista.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That bit of the river is outstandingly beautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
am glad we did, as that bit of the river is outstandingly beautiful
and in the early evening as the sun was going down it was even more
spectacular. We were shrouded in the most amazing deep wooded valley
with trees hundreds of feet up the valley sides and right down to the
waters edge. Every bend the river opened up a more dramatic vista.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
eventually tied up at the lock side in a most peaceful place. The
next morning we were up early and met by mist over the water and
hanging in the trees. This was a really magical place.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM5qOA5VZI1R4Nx5OllZFl87T0MHutJG-cZjBskGR_iYMce2QhVGl3RIpawf93wavDQkZmjuOjTWylKmZ6MX63qRp51rgviuCrH_Q8LQHIkvWNVxwCZyjXYhf2nK5w-FV8tU1o0JhaJP2/s1600/Ep+6+Dawn+on+the+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM5qOA5VZI1R4Nx5OllZFl87T0MHutJG-cZjBskGR_iYMce2QhVGl3RIpawf93wavDQkZmjuOjTWylKmZ6MX63qRp51rgviuCrH_Q8LQHIkvWNVxwCZyjXYhf2nK5w-FV8tU1o0JhaJP2/s640/Ep+6+Dawn+on+the+river.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a really magical place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
soon passed through the lock and we carried on to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Toul</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
where the navigation split into three sections - the main river went
right, a larger canal in the middle and a smaller one to the left. We
took the smaller one as we could see on our maps that there was a
good stopping place at an old factory which also gave direct access
to the road and some shops, we stopped to do some more essential
shopping at a nearby supermarket.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Once
the shopping was complete it was off again, through a small lock and
on to a short section of canal where we came to a junction with the
Canal de la </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Marne</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
au </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Rhin</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
on our left hand side and that would lead us back on to small canals.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
was a bit of a commotion when another Eric Sykes sort of chap was
flailing about in the middle of the junction asking for help, we
managed to take a rope off him and help him to the other side of the
junction, his engine had failed - good deed done for the day! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>In
the next episode: The end of the first leg is in sight but there is
ugly industry and the beautiful Ardennes to enjoy first.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-84107411525272492922019-04-25T05:30:00.000+01:002019-04-25T05:30:00.606+01:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - episode 5<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1369_134982314"></a>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>FLAMING
JUNE BUT NOT MANY BOATS</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has
been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and,
for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeouwoM3NTSq5cYd61Havoq83b9oF49rq0VBjyL8FtbQ4pJUua-c4m6WKRwsPfRYz4P_AKTSg1MFWwjj7L49EocOuUUZ7y6ZDpnXX3ku7__ZcnBi9bwAFfsrNiDMYHZun8bdMVVPQBuFW/s1600/IMGP0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeouwoM3NTSq5cYd61Havoq83b9oF49rq0VBjyL8FtbQ4pJUua-c4m6WKRwsPfRYz4P_AKTSg1MFWwjj7L49EocOuUUZ7y6ZDpnXX3ku7__ZcnBi9bwAFfsrNiDMYHZun8bdMVVPQBuFW/s320/IMGP0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Simon
Jenkins at Norbury
Wharf</b></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>There
he runs a brokerage, hire fleet, day boats, a trip boat and a
chandlery, as well as a paint dock, dry dock and full engineering
services. Simon has dipped his toe in to the waters of other
boat-related ideas including sea-going charters, but the inland
waterways are his first love and he has turned his gaze to Europe,
with it’s wide waterways and fully functioning system of commercial
river and canal navigations. He is just back from the boat buying
trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to
Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the
Mediterranean. Last month he was boarded by armed police as he
entered the River </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Saône</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>.
Now he enters a world of locks and tunnels and the obligatory daft
Englishman in a GRP boat. There is also a meeting with an old friend.
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
is another river that is a canalised and has sections of lock cuts,
something commonplace in France, and in other parts of Europe, and on
some parts of the UK system too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On
some of these canalised sections there are tunnels and this was a
first for us with this boat. The first one we came was on a traffic
lights, we had a short wait whilst another boat was coming the other
way and then it was our turn.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
wasn't a long tunnel and dead straight, so nothing to get excited
about - but there were more to come! Mile after mile, lock after
lock; meandering our way through some stunning countryside and hardly
passing other boats.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
was June, and flaming June at that, temperatures were in the high 30s
and the canal and rivers seemed so quiet, much quieter than we are
used to in the UK. All of a sudden we came to something quite
different and a bit challenging.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii42g7Ej5qWj3PzjkLiNT0B9BracauHU0HRiAk90sFsYmlTfiaFhyphenhyphenf9misdDDniXi9zKhngjWZKMyi85iXAA12muQvoB04NsAPFU4E8DaYlINN7AZbaFzEPi0B-JAj0EwQ56jgTmKClvVL/s1600/%2527narrow%2527+canal+locks+now-they+will+take+38mx5m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii42g7Ej5qWj3PzjkLiNT0B9BracauHU0HRiAk90sFsYmlTfiaFhyphenhyphenf9misdDDniXi9zKhngjWZKMyi85iXAA12muQvoB04NsAPFU4E8DaYlINN7AZbaFzEPi0B-JAj0EwQ56jgTmKClvVL/s640/%2527narrow%2527+canal+locks+now-they+will+take+38mx5m.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>Now
the locks are a tight squeeze – the maximum dimensions are 38
metres by 5 metres</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
locked off the river on to another canalised section - this time it
was a control lock with a lock keeper, the canal was dead straight
and wide enough for two 5M boats to pass so we carried on.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then
the narrows came in to sight, nothing to worry about - except they
had been carved out of a hill and it was the entrance to a narrow
tunnel, as we went around the bends, slowly, the bow was almost
touching the bank at the front whilst the stern was almost touching
the opposite side at the rear. I would imagine that a 38 m barge
would actually be touching at both ends. We squeezed our way around
this bendy section and then plummeted in to a dark cavernous tunnel.
Soon we emerged back in to bright sunshine. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhRBbve_VD_lffShktvdxJ9TLVMAS2Q5TtuEEZcG0rzJzcIsf9rbSTS7AaN_41cBhXoi99Y5Qfd-1MKGHM-h7Kps8lHnoMh7LRe3qF4AI0AWHd2j6vMuG-mktZhpDRsQ0pMbLC4tmZNaQ/s1600/the+bendy+windy+approach+to+a+tunnel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhRBbve_VD_lffShktvdxJ9TLVMAS2Q5TtuEEZcG0rzJzcIsf9rbSTS7AaN_41cBhXoi99Y5Qfd-1MKGHM-h7Kps8lHnoMh7LRe3qF4AI0AWHd2j6vMuG-mktZhpDRsQ0pMbLC4tmZNaQ/s640/the+bendy+windy+approach+to+a+tunnel.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>Sometimes
the canal itself looks too narrow, especially this approach to a
tunnel</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8IYe3H9yHp21amhZZ68rs3iX_wuBpFGShJAy2ScoJ2iw5JktdSIAHGFeg18MFgj9NlmtiOom7dUOfhTZ1zKxa5LGdDccLB35Ex21NxZvq_IFUiEO7OQyR7GnRXvZ_uPDuVKmFdShDARh/s1600/the+bendy+tunnel+approach.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8IYe3H9yHp21amhZZ68rs3iX_wuBpFGShJAy2ScoJ2iw5JktdSIAHGFeg18MFgj9NlmtiOom7dUOfhTZ1zKxa5LGdDccLB35Ex21NxZvq_IFUiEO7OQyR7GnRXvZ_uPDuVKmFdShDARh/s640/the+bendy+tunnel+approach.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>Bends in a concrete channel can leave only inches as you turn</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2kVwPV1crM71UTOLmEEYDnLYO4BQ951yx2k2hLnJqKQOwhHvAXVrKa_O06q8_4vmuS_UhABb2uCpf9Q2gJqsm6Q8of6d0XERVEMsHJ6qRO9S5KaNvkmv2kGJpQlnbA9Ky_4wX4HSm0oP/s1600/a+tight+squeeze.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2kVwPV1crM71UTOLmEEYDnLYO4BQ951yx2k2hLnJqKQOwhHvAXVrKa_O06q8_4vmuS_UhABb2uCpf9Q2gJqsm6Q8of6d0XERVEMsHJ6qRO9S5KaNvkmv2kGJpQlnbA9Ky_4wX4HSm0oP/s640/a+tight+squeeze.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 16px;">Then the tunnel – which looks too small to accommodate us</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx07gBv1l9O6DVSvm--Ub0nPJ54np1itpT-ZguaUm6nn2Vrrbg0Je7qixRlX5J5eGCJ6w9VPPRkcSzfGnr2VA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
is going well with the barge, really getting to grips with it, not
much traffic about and then in the distance just as we were coming
off a river section and heading for a very narrow old flood lock I
see a small cruiser approaching.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
are just slowing down from 12kmh and the narrows are fast
approaching. All lined up and then the cruiser decided that he is
going to go through the narrows first. This guy must have had a death
wish, challenging a much larger craft with much less manoeuvrability
in a restricted waterway is madness.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hard
astern was all I could do, I managed to keep the boat under control
and bring it to almost perfect standstill as he comes flying past us
just like Eric Sykes on his plastic cruiser in the film The Barge. To
make matters worse he was bloody English. I’m sure he was related
to old Sykes!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
river is starting to become much smaller now, narrower and bendier,
lots more care is needed going around very tight bends, speed is much
slower too, nearly at the end of the navigation for us and then on to
a proper canal!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
entered the narrow canal at Corre. This section is 93km long and has
93 locks, so now its going to get even more interesting and really
slow our pace down. The locks are now controlled by a remote control
- something like a garage door opener.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3ukNq0JSCk8r5CdME8C7UjbShlmx5XHoOQpRaZVgP9wGZ2rypoEBdL9MdXz3Sqpu7c9qwgk4-Ve-F-B2l6BzpCTYnjVMYf4IRD3yOMliAnbPIcoMimQyVb1wUFf4UVoa7QOncIHzbn_/s1600/Narrow+lock+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP3ukNq0JSCk8r5CdME8C7UjbShlmx5XHoOQpRaZVgP9wGZ2rypoEBdL9MdXz3Sqpu7c9qwgk4-Ve-F-B2l6BzpCTYnjVMYf4IRD3yOMliAnbPIcoMimQyVb1wUFf4UVoa7QOncIHzbn_/s400/Narrow+lock+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locks are now controlled by a remote control - something like a garage door opener</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Very
amusing indeed. As you approach a lock there is a receiver box
somewhere and you have to aim your remote at it and press the button
- and hopefully it works and a flashing light appears on the box
letting you know it has accepted your signal and the lock is
preparing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
you approach the lock there are traffic lights. Red, well that’s
obvious; Red-and green means the lock is setting for you; and green
is obvious too. Once in the lock the same procedure as before, two
bars, blue to operate the lock and red to stop it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
off we go, the canal is now a proper canal – shallow and narrow;
and progress is slow, but still very interesting indeed. Meeting
other boats is now fun and virtually all the locks have a lock
keepers cottage on the lock side.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
are pretty places, some are occupied and some are not, especially the
more remote ones. You can imagine, in the past, that there would have
been a great community feel amongst the boatmen and all the staff
running the canals, just like the UK canals would have been years
ago.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
canal is mostly rural, passing through small, quiet villages and
small towns following the river Le Coney, and we had been climbing
the locks steadily until we reached the summit pound.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
were meandering along the summit pound looking for a stopping place
rumoured to be close to a Boulangerie (bakery to us) - well when in
France one has to have fresh Baguettes everyday - when I saw a petite
looking blonde lady waving like mad.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Good
God it was Laura, the partner of a chap called Roger Murray. Some of
you might recognise his name, he is a proper canal nut and used to
own the ex FMC steamer Monarch, also a lovely tug called Kyle. Now he
has a Dutch barge in Holland and they were on their way from her pad
in Palma driving up to the barge.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Qgeaz-AH1tSzm8qQFNeq415k0OJCv3RNHDF3hq_Mu4l9BY-XoWD9KzIJUOsBAry14j2dTdMhDe8_W80DrQOvyJ5NyyKD59oG2thZsTSKksCO9CF9jpp9sJCDYDtxsGbJhmzJUwa0GWQ/s1600/Roger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_Qgeaz-AH1tSzm8qQFNeq415k0OJCv3RNHDF3hq_Mu4l9BY-XoWD9KzIJUOsBAry14j2dTdMhDe8_W80DrQOvyJ5NyyKD59oG2thZsTSKksCO9CF9jpp9sJCDYDtxsGbJhmzJUwa0GWQ/s640/Roger.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Murray, a proper canal nut and used to own the ex FMC steamer Monarch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
just so happened that their journey coincided with ours so they
jumped on board and we had the most pleasant evening in the company
of these two wonderful people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
the spare bed was made up it went without saying that they would dine
with us and stay the night and we sat out on the back deck until
late, drinking and reminiscing. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
next day saw them come with us and do a few miles and a few locks, we
had now started going down the ‘other side’ they departed from us
at the junction with the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Épinal</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
canal. They got a taxi and we waved them farewell - that was a nice
surprise, and a welcome one too.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>In
the next episode: Simon and his crew </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>come
up against manual locks which take them onto another of Europe’s
major waterways - and an angry Frenchman</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-19882192011016717462019-03-28T06:00:00.000+00:002019-03-28T06:00:01.519+00:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - episode four<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1363_134982314"></a>
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>NOW
FOR THE SAÔNE</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has
been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and,
for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvPU2qnQwgtjZHaz6aHikAS3J9d84IXnVb0KVTUSpsf3X_hxOBhgfrUglLtGom_5rDlSZsdnMhhkh90OdlbYQOGAG1zfHZe41JBGFuHPVXe5zc-3HImbt2a9Aa9G3Q1Cfr0iPhOMMtOkj/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda%252C+back+at+base+-+Norbury+Wharf+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvPU2qnQwgtjZHaz6aHikAS3J9d84IXnVb0KVTUSpsf3X_hxOBhgfrUglLtGom_5rDlSZsdnMhhkh90OdlbYQOGAG1zfHZe41JBGFuHPVXe5zc-3HImbt2a9Aa9G3Q1Cfr0iPhOMMtOkj/s320/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda%252C+back+at+base+-+Norbury+Wharf+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>There
he runs a brokerage, hire fleet, day boats, a trip boat and a
chandlery, as well as a paint dock, dry dock and full engineering
services. Simon has dipped his toe in to the waters of other
boat-related ideas including sea-going charters, but the inland
waterways are his first love and he has turned his gaze to Europe,
with it’s wide waterways and fully functioning system of commercial
river and canal navigations. He is just back from the boat buying
trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to
Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the
Mediterranean. Last month we heard how he completed the Rhone despite
the winter water levels. Now he is moving ever northwards on the
River </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Saône.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
emerged from the last lock on the Rhone with some relief. We had made
it without incident or accident, the barge had handled perfectly, the
engine faultlessly and, apart from the generator battery dying on us
and one of the macerator toilets packing up, all was good.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAojGkPkL1J18awjsYgBUM_y1glAUMhJ0ld-24yRaOctC2RrlfJDIbAVr-98JXrtwxvbOqMC1m_ghmJ5RrXcFW6OkD6HltkYxH1UmMk2UkFsnADDgcB3JhCMpQEHUTwHc5TgR2IVHxUeM/s1600/the+view+from+the+wheel+house+of+yet+another+commercial+pusher+barge+and+tug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAojGkPkL1J18awjsYgBUM_y1glAUMhJ0ld-24yRaOctC2RrlfJDIbAVr-98JXrtwxvbOqMC1m_ghmJ5RrXcFW6OkD6HltkYxH1UmMk2UkFsnADDgcB3JhCMpQEHUTwHc5TgR2IVHxUeM/s400/the+view+from+the+wheel+house+of+yet+another+commercial+pusher+barge+and+tug.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Another
pusher tug and its barge, seen from the wheelhouse of Amborix</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
still had plenty of food onboard so we could crack on with the next
step, the River </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
As we were passing through Lyon we were told of a good place to buy
diesel – the only place as it turned out – and, sure enough,
there it was.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
fascinating array of barges, some being worked on, some lived on, one
was even being used as a floating dry dock-with another barge half in
and half out having a new bottom welded on to it. There, in the
middle, was this rather large fuel barge cum chandlery run by a
lovely family.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKw80gKlWoN-8Gy0IwPtPn0tglqTKiniXlvMhAgQ66NK6Nhusux1Ww-Ul8aJsZT0td2AdfhILIJWYCV6d5ErcjS6lT9EZuwvOH6QP2oLIEZ07Fsi4_jPQ6ynT6jqtQbWKckBI51KEWyxN/s1600/Lyon+on+the+Saone.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKw80gKlWoN-8Gy0IwPtPn0tglqTKiniXlvMhAgQ66NK6Nhusux1Ww-Ul8aJsZT0td2AdfhILIJWYCV6d5ErcjS6lT9EZuwvOH6QP2oLIEZ07Fsi4_jPQ6ynT6jqtQbWKckBI51KEWyxN/s400/Lyon+on+the+Saone.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>The
waterfront in historic Lyon</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKHs_MNjcv9RxjqseY1VjBty894bVATyeb0d9Rb1CbRHEKzBXdy9sVeQB2Zw22FUW8o3bBETJzd7u5vpClZqABZJY-hS6r4n-rnDyBnJzSMODwGJKTJCn0QnP52Xo24Mi454HDh-2Ote3/s1600/Passing+through+Lyon+in+central+France.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKHs_MNjcv9RxjqseY1VjBty894bVATyeb0d9Rb1CbRHEKzBXdy9sVeQB2Zw22FUW8o3bBETJzd7u5vpClZqABZJY-hS6r4n-rnDyBnJzSMODwGJKTJCn0QnP52Xo24Mi454HDh-2Ote3/s400/Passing+through+Lyon+in+central+France.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 16px;">Passing through the city which clearly enjoys its river</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They
had been pre-warned of our arrival so we were greeted kindly and we
proceeded to fill up with fuel. Our barge holds 4,000 litres of red
and 2,000 litres of white, so we filled them to the brim as we did
not know where we would find fuel again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s
not easy to get fuel in France, it’s not too bad for small boats as
some of the marinas sell it, but we cant get into these marinas as we
are too big, so you have to be a bit self sufficient and plan ahead.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zvZA8-XzQzCqOpymOYnvxQABpu7SCkjfbBPdbb8yn7gYX3xK7pKSiziQbBFuyL66CqvUvlUQMJPqGOIuUvmivEJN_E7dsH7XEPDI6giiNhRZFtaUTs1NfhyfPpnvXIoH7y7R_X0l3Mmj/s1600/leaving+Lyon+on+the+Saone.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zvZA8-XzQzCqOpymOYnvxQABpu7SCkjfbBPdbb8yn7gYX3xK7pKSiziQbBFuyL66CqvUvlUQMJPqGOIuUvmivEJN_E7dsH7XEPDI6giiNhRZFtaUTs1NfhyfPpnvXIoH7y7R_X0l3Mmj/s400/leaving+Lyon+on+the+Saone.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving Lyon</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All
filled up now, so we carried on the river </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
– and it doesn’t seem that much different to the Rhone to start
with, maybe a little smaller, but still a large commercial waterway
of 218 km with 5 locks measuring 180m x 12m. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
travelled through Lyon and past all if its wonderful barges and
carried on to Saint-Jean-De-Losne where it was planned that we stop
for a day or two for our crew, Paul and Mal, to take care of some
important business.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
was also where they lived and so we had the use of their car which
allowed us to do some much needed shopping for the next leg of the
journey.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXPOMHeZGb1zS9FOwV5IPJJRkMTzg-whHMtiRLlDAbFOMDgj1M-Z6rOf785TkZoDjz-H3XOhDLN3VUrRoXSCPBWMh7ZrtWhfOIIAAkCSrYobG5ge03KVISWxGLxGGt2rR6ieRxYQ_DP43/s1600/moored+under+the+road+bride+at+St+Jean+de+Losne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXPOMHeZGb1zS9FOwV5IPJJRkMTzg-whHMtiRLlDAbFOMDgj1M-Z6rOf785TkZoDjz-H3XOhDLN3VUrRoXSCPBWMh7ZrtWhfOIIAAkCSrYobG5ge03KVISWxGLxGGt2rR6ieRxYQ_DP43/s400/moored+under+the+road+bride+at+St+Jean+de+Losne.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moored under the road bridge at Saint-Jean-De-Losne</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
we arrived we stopped in the old lock cut and filled our water tank.
As with diesel, there aren’t many convenient places to pick
up water, although its free. Still, the boat carries 6,500 litres of
fresh water, so it doesn’t need topping up frequently. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Saint-Jean-De-Losne
is a lovely place and an important centre for the canals as it is
where the Canal Centre Champagne et Bourgogne joins the river </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
and was a very busy inland port.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our
original plan was to use this canal, however a lock on the Ardennes
canal had collapsed which would have meant a much longer trip around
the stoppage. Instead we carried on the river </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
which would take us to the Canal de </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Vosges</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
(Canal de L’Est). </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes
you are reminded that they do things differently in France and whilst
in </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saint-Jean-De-Losne</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
we were boarded by the French river police to check our papers and
safety equipment. It’s odd having armed police board your boat and
it is certainly a contrast with a C&RT number checker on his
bike. It was all OK though, and nice guys they were too. They were
happy with all of our paperwork and licenses etc. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N09_3PsCG1K_NSare2Oh5lqW2_FpjjDOcAOFttnB005albW3sy2Nx0gYpCZbU_pKmyjY26lQQlUE5uBTiFb2uikaecvcotkdytYGvMvgSZMWj35Sk4JB1ScLQCWym-TRlkKGTSv5j247/s1600/coming+in+to+one+of+the+first+of+the+%2527narrow%2527locks+%2528well+they+were+narrow+to+us%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N09_3PsCG1K_NSare2Oh5lqW2_FpjjDOcAOFttnB005albW3sy2Nx0gYpCZbU_pKmyjY26lQQlUE5uBTiFb2uikaecvcotkdytYGvMvgSZMWj35Sk4JB1ScLQCWym-TRlkKGTSv5j247/s400/coming+in+to+one+of+the+first+of+the+%2527narrow%2527locks+%2528well+they+were+narrow+to+us%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming into one of the first 'narrow' locks</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="fr-FR"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saône</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is almost two separate rivers. There is the large commercial waterway
but, after Saint-Jean-de-Losne, things start to change. This section
is 147 km and has 19 locks and soon we came to a small lock, well it
was small compared to what we had been used to so far.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">These
locks are for much smaller boats, although still commercial, they
will only accommodate boats of 38 m x 5 m. Now this is starting to
get interesting and more like the UK canals.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Our
barge is 30 m x 5 m, so squeezing in to these little locks takes some
seriously good judgement and a certain amount of skill - none of
which I had mastered at that point.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
poor old boat took a bit of a pounding to start with as I was trying
to enter the locks with a little speed. I soon found out the only way
to do it was at a snails pace. Thankfully I soon got that mastered
and after that nearly all the locks were entered just fine.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMatVT9WP39HigSjnOU8aKuMjRr3htLpFa7OXBpayEbzvsfEo331gR7Yaw8un4M-BCuzGup1hnYYKasr-jwSwOGrBpldQ_Ja2peUF8OJjcWyFuTY-TmDTFoqQqcGk6Mvt2WRhPu6x7msf_/s1600/Misty+morning+at+a+quiet+village+mooring+on+the+Soane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMatVT9WP39HigSjnOU8aKuMjRr3htLpFa7OXBpayEbzvsfEo331gR7Yaw8un4M-BCuzGup1hnYYKasr-jwSwOGrBpldQ_Ja2peUF8OJjcWyFuTY-TmDTFoqQqcGk6Mvt2WRhPu6x7msf_/s400/Misty+morning+at+a+quiet+village+mooring+on+the+Soane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>A
misty morning on a village mooring on the River Saone</b></span></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
upper </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="fr-FR">Saône</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
is lovely. It has a much more intimate feel to it, beautiful views of
far-off villages through lovely unspoilt countryside, small towns
that flank the banks of the river in places, smaller locks and some
have pretty lock keepers cottages.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most
of these locks are semi-manual locks -what is a semi manual lock I
can hear you cry?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well,
on the approach to the lock there is something called a twizzle
stick. This is a device, usually hanging from a wire strung across
the navigation, and, as you approach, you have to turn the stick, or
pole, or tube, in order to operate the lock’s automatic system to
open the gate.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once
inside the lock there are two bars - one blue, one red, and if you
push up on the blue pole and the lock operates automatically, the
gates open and off you go to the next lock. In case of emergency then
just push the red pole and the whole operation stops. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
makes operating the locks a bit of fun as you have to try and find
the swizzle stick on the approach and then place the boat in a
position in order for a member of the crew to operate the stick.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEhdSXJF2QmL85wEX-NqhSEupvJ_llvjQjTgQoyaKZkaN7u9loFJ5ekp3-SDUOU-QoZSsopk-W79fnyE2r' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>In
the next episode: A world of locks and tunnels and the obligatory
daft Englishman in a GRP boat, as well as a meeting with an old
friend</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-71678857690330063072019-02-28T04:30:00.000+00:002019-02-28T04:30:00.250+00:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - 3<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ONWARDS
AND NORTHWARDS</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kj7tB_u8ptW0lUjH5HAa4DrR-Gbc8v5VsV6QFPyokO2AwKulj2OuCbKvu8BogsEZ7D_sbasasfK7WUVyAN9ZysXVWDgsxl45lQV4x3N0aElrrnk6_Yg6aAO8ciDXlPg5Nyl642wdTFob/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+serious+-+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kj7tB_u8ptW0lUjH5HAa4DrR-Gbc8v5VsV6QFPyokO2AwKulj2OuCbKvu8BogsEZ7D_sbasasfK7WUVyAN9ZysXVWDgsxl45lQV4x3N0aElrrnk6_Yg6aAO8ciDXlPg5Nyl642wdTFob/s320/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+serious+-+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon and his partner Amanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Simon
Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has
been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and,
for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury
Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>There
he runs a brokerage, hire fleet, day boats, a trip boat and a
chandlery, as well as a paint dock, dry dock and full engineering
services. Simon has dipped his toe in to the waters of other
boat-related ideas including sea-going charters, but the inland
waterways are his first love and he has turned his gaze to Europe,
with it’s wide waterways and fully functioning system of commercial
river and canal navigations. He is just back from the boat buying
trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to
Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the
Mediterranean. Last month he entered the mighty River Rhone and
braved the narrows. Now he is to meet some big locks and big boats.
This is his story, in his own words.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
navigable river Rhone stretches from Lyon in central France to the
Mediterranean sea. It is 325km long and has 12 massive locks, it
travels along the Rhone valley through some spectacular places like
Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Valence, Vienne, and Lyon.</span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNcgblHo4d5pHCRS95abdbhP42CTKEDFLqdAXD7dYgsNP1kFHInTgs_X5MolAyJsucdMtjwzaO-4pTIVJpCRZi4nxiz_p-Up937wHWOaHZtVOy176V0UNk9h4rU9e8tszLwf0AUMi3M50/s1600/Hermitage++Chateau+Neuf+du+Pap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNcgblHo4d5pHCRS95abdbhP42CTKEDFLqdAXD7dYgsNP1kFHInTgs_X5MolAyJsucdMtjwzaO-4pTIVJpCRZi4nxiz_p-Up937wHWOaHZtVOy176V0UNk9h4rU9e8tszLwf0AUMi3M50/s400/Hermitage++Chateau+Neuf+du+Pap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmj9HP03_9pKPWoKOrSDLeJGXBKOBlsYpaqho3_PmSXClOTAJVuzbISf9G5uRF4CnneTlbCwIKwuNpdtDrj9jqvRcaKYmffxLUH0XL6GYL7NGYbAh9WdRbnomusSvB1TAF_Yuws1Z170D/s1600/Wine+Terraces++Chateau+Neuf+du+Pap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmj9HP03_9pKPWoKOrSDLeJGXBKOBlsYpaqho3_PmSXClOTAJVuzbISf9G5uRF4CnneTlbCwIKwuNpdtDrj9jqvRcaKYmffxLUH0XL6GYL7NGYbAh9WdRbnomusSvB1TAF_Yuws1Z170D/s400/Wine+Terraces++Chateau+Neuf+du+Pap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine terraces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
well as being a very important commercial route it also plays an
important role in generating electricity in the form of hydro
electric power plants at every lock. The locks themselves are all
pretty much in canalised sections of the main river. These tend to be
narrower than the river and as they also have a hydro plant at the
end and this can mean even more strong currents.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
had to pick our timings, as best we could, to avoid peak generating
times – morning, lunch and evening - when the plants could be
operating at maximum potential. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
means letting a tremendous amount of water through the generators,
slowing our progress down to 4 or 5 kmph, grindingly slow, and always
a relief to get in to the lock. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jt6Sgz90SGy_z5NkSDv-1upMBxhCaWb8dySvnNHHNis8OROdvxRT8UhwZhLSmGGof7ICmqu6QL_BqA_BLwH1HpSAuw-Y0PnXgtfUVuQXo8b_juEBMHxwQgT3jnEryxEKT5BBXh1e1KDD/s1600/Hydro+electric+lock.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jt6Sgz90SGy_z5NkSDv-1upMBxhCaWb8dySvnNHHNis8OROdvxRT8UhwZhLSmGGof7ICmqu6QL_BqA_BLwH1HpSAuw-Y0PnXgtfUVuQXo8b_juEBMHxwQgT3jnEryxEKT5BBXh1e1KDD/s400/Hydro+electric+lock.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydro-electric generation plant at a Rhone lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
biggest lock we did was Bollene lock, measuring a massive 190 m long,
and 12 m wide, with an impressive drop of 23 m. As we were going
uphill I think we got the best and most impressive view. It was like
a cathedral of locks, a massive, cold and a dank damp place to be.</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As
we entered the lock we made our way on our, now apparently tiny
little boat, towards the front, secured our lines to the massive
floating bollards sunk in to the lock walls and waited.</span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z1QEeVYhhlLyZAhYOhSRnJfXzwAJ-A5zHZcovZOG0HiGWXIuwVFdMXI3-d5CEU7WLPTHjOKX9rg8JE-j-v21JjlszJ8GCWMjXEiMZPAtL_YMkWnPnmzMp34K2I_tjg-z8pd2CpF39b1_/s1600/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z1QEeVYhhlLyZAhYOhSRnJfXzwAJ-A5zHZcovZOG0HiGWXIuwVFdMXI3-d5CEU7WLPTHjOKX9rg8JE-j-v21JjlszJ8GCWMjXEiMZPAtL_YMkWnPnmzMp34K2I_tjg-z8pd2CpF39b1_/s640/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bollene lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMsBkGL_XwXp0FE141mIzdtSRwgO-c3kdKICQkAXGh9zZiXjtALkKU7zoPhxyy439Nzb8mgnHA3ITStnVxV30j2KYkJPT2qcqnnQ0h1Pv9BsMRVk_a-ObbEVC7x4EeT7DhW8M18wrz-r3/s1600/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMsBkGL_XwXp0FE141mIzdtSRwgO-c3kdKICQkAXGh9zZiXjtALkKU7zoPhxyy439Nzb8mgnHA3ITStnVxV30j2KYkJPT2qcqnnQ0h1Pv9BsMRVk_a-ObbEVC7x4EeT7DhW8M18wrz-r3/s640/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxKa4ZNbiRRz1u38ZZzMc9qhZZjN0ehJESuWZvzZxKaluGqkU-5zusaDfMzjSHLN03YDLoLHUFnp-bp9x6wBDR591M7BhYh8p622eszBW7XGV_CaGPrw6J2j5G9fQzbhRiXcciep4yPoL/s1600/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxKa4ZNbiRRz1u38ZZzMc9qhZZjN0ehJESuWZvzZxKaluGqkU-5zusaDfMzjSHLN03YDLoLHUFnp-bp9x6wBDR591M7BhYh8p622eszBW7XGV_CaGPrw6J2j5G9fQzbhRiXcciep4yPoL/s640/Bollene+lock-the+deepest+in+Europe+3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big gates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As
I looked back out of the wheel house I was greeted by the width of
the lock starting to fill with a hotel ship, its huge bow and beam
occupying the lock with inches to spare.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
loomed up on us and almost over hung the stern of our boat. We were
close enough to speak with some of the guests onboard who were just
finishing breakfast. As they looked down on us we must have seemed
like ants on a bit of a branch clinging to the lock sides.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
lock was very gentle as it filled, and in no time at all we were all
at the top, gates open, green lights and off we go again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIjMP-A2KQHb0yBpiabGqUB7jZjmMHTFXndCTwtcZ5guuMyysUcvxJtxXYyrv1k7AzjH8sYZIwA8Y8u1CLK_31oYSGzpknn8owIxUVP8B0T-pAIrZaSUC8fUNt8rODuCCNs7s4fGX608X/s1600/hotel+ship+entering+a+lock+behind+us%252C+and+filling+the+lock%2521.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIjMP-A2KQHb0yBpiabGqUB7jZjmMHTFXndCTwtcZ5guuMyysUcvxJtxXYyrv1k7AzjH8sYZIwA8Y8u1CLK_31oYSGzpknn8owIxUVP8B0T-pAIrZaSUC8fUNt8rODuCCNs7s4fGX608X/s640/hotel+ship+entering+a+lock+behind+us%252C+and+filling+the+lock%2521.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel ship entering behind us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQHgnTa78OpXPJYxT4ZSQZciXdTCZ6LeIdAXr3RmmNb8VmfMhxR1R96BmVzmPVmiuAX68HqRe5OpWG-f6ZnvZylct5owSsWnqKpcmSldriKwkHvDJL6yn92gtfB7x8prR7m7g1iBGt5hE/s1600/hotel+ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQHgnTa78OpXPJYxT4ZSQZciXdTCZ6LeIdAXr3RmmNb8VmfMhxR1R96BmVzmPVmiuAX68HqRe5OpWG-f6ZnvZylct5owSsWnqKpcmSldriKwkHvDJL6yn92gtfB7x8prR7m7g1iBGt5hE/s640/hotel+ship.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel ship goes on its way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
are not that many places to stop along the river - but there were
some fascinating places we would love to have lingered. However, as
we were on a schedule on our journey we couldn't take advantage and
most nights we ended up moored above a lock.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not
ideal moorings, as they were mostly on what is called ‘dolphins’
which are bloody great steel tubes sunk in to the bed of the river,
some without any shore access. As the commercial boats could work 24
hours a day, the wash from them made for an unpleasant nights sleep,
with the ropes creaking and heaving as loaded barges and hotel ships
went past.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
eventually made the last narrow point of our journey at a place
called the Medeterean bridge at Givors, which was also one of the
longest lock cuts, or diversions as they are also known, on our
route.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
had been watching the flow rates increase day by day as the North had
rain and the snow in the Alps kept melting. As we were travelling
North things were getting quite bad and there was even the prospect
that we could have been stuck on the river, as it could be closed to
navigation for safety reasons.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">By
now there was plenty of flotsam and jetsam coming down the brown and
dirty river so we tied up on a handy pontoon just before the bridge
and decided to wait 24 hours to see if the flow would subside a
little. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
phoned and spoke with the previous owner and he said that he would
never have attempted to go through that bridge with the flow as
strong as it was, even though he had confidence in the boat being
able to do it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
waited 24hours with the rushing water around our bows-and the flotsam
and jetsam getting caught under the pontoon. I was starting to get
concerned as we watched big commercial barges and hotel boats come
past us sideways around the bends, taking up the entire width of the
river at up to 20 kmph, and then the very rare barge pushing against
the flow at 5 kmph.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ynTX4fhUVY4nTwK4q9wCcDe7iH_PhxKKs4qZUhFtlYr5TrNK60LUEX8vuWAFsndRyYwttJBOKe2WEFQ3n7R6LusFXyK4F2RVsLX9YCuS4vT0fsqLr48fU-LHArovsUBrU-W4_JeQbx01/s1600/pusher+tug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ynTX4fhUVY4nTwK4q9wCcDe7iH_PhxKKs4qZUhFtlYr5TrNK60LUEX8vuWAFsndRyYwttJBOKe2WEFQ3n7R6LusFXyK4F2RVsLX9YCuS4vT0fsqLr48fU-LHArovsUBrU-W4_JeQbx01/s640/pusher+tug.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large pusher tug on the fast-flowing Rhone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAsHgt-A8t40_wbYs9uz99LYtg4lG8foyu7abDt-Vs4ZyLc6Ok9aFrwAUCaPjoc-NgpZfRozzJT9VmZFsppE1RCJjeVF90O7MlUI8X50KSMaQx1Ek25PHoFNSYbxYv-FGTuxpPZd2KsEb/s1600/pusher+tug+empty.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAsHgt-A8t40_wbYs9uz99LYtg4lG8foyu7abDt-Vs4ZyLc6Ok9aFrwAUCaPjoc-NgpZfRozzJT9VmZFsppE1RCJjeVF90O7MlUI8X50KSMaQx1Ek25PHoFNSYbxYv-FGTuxpPZd2KsEb/s640/pusher+tug+empty.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tug without its barges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
the end, that little barge that we had overtaken right at the start
of our journey on the Petite Rhone came chugging past us. We watched
him for about half an hour as he pushed against the flow.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
radioed the guy who turned out to be Dutch, he said that he had done
this journey several times and, although the flow was stronger than
normal, he was happy enough to push on.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb6-eLAY-l3yYBGC-ocppcO_cXUGClmn7Dq7WEFffoggHZdqIkfynICVeRnFKa0pZZjIqkn21lDR5bndLUK-Tl3WGnGyKW3FnyMXZbKp9ZrW7W0acIcNBDqO7-XdYclBtMwjkyyV08D8k/s1600/Small+barge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb6-eLAY-l3yYBGC-ocppcO_cXUGClmn7Dq7WEFffoggHZdqIkfynICVeRnFKa0pZZjIqkn21lDR5bndLUK-Tl3WGnGyKW3FnyMXZbKp9ZrW7W0acIcNBDqO7-XdYclBtMwjkyyV08D8k/s640/Small+barge.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small barge pushing the flow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
had total confidence in our barge and the engine, so the decision was
made, and we set off shortly afterwards. We untied from the pontoon
and crabbed out sideways and in to the flow of the river.</span></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
maintained 4 or 5 kmph all the way until the lock came in to view and
we slipped inside our last lock on the River Rhone. Not being
foolhardy, and having experienced just what a powerful river we were
navigating, we all had lifejackets available, and we had two half ton
anchors ready to be deployed in an emergency. You don’t tackle
these conditions lightly! </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>In
the next episode: Thousands of litres of diesel, boarded by armed
police and a stoppage forces a route change.</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-22825381433575330832019-01-26T05:00:00.000+00:002019-01-26T05:00:02.556+00:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - 2<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>2. ONTO THE RHONE</b></span></span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__1353_134982314"></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<h3>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Simon Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and, for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</b></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPo-WkgyLB_2dbQ-Ec4dt2XP8wwXJ0u12MjncZ9i36rqXxxSqJ2ivtascnxINBRVzdv_E5Z4hgOhj2AEDWCL3_Eb_BTLvflb7Mw3ZDNJ4fY3uqa2ygj-e2V5vadtIsrgjtNm8TtFQo5yr/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPo-WkgyLB_2dbQ-Ec4dt2XP8wwXJ0u12MjncZ9i36rqXxxSqJ2ivtascnxINBRVzdv_E5Z4hgOhj2AEDWCL3_Eb_BTLvflb7Mw3ZDNJ4fY3uqa2ygj-e2V5vadtIsrgjtNm8TtFQo5yr/s200/Simon+Jenkins+and+his+partner+Amanda+-+closeup.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Jenkins and his partner Amanda</td></tr>
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</b></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
There he runs a brokerage, hire fleet, day boats, a trip boat and a chandlery, as well as a paint dock, dry dock and full engineering services. Simon has dipped his toe in to the waters of other boat-related ideas including sea-going charters, but the inland waterways are his first love and he has turned his gaze to Europe, with it’s wide waterways and fully functioning system of commercial river and canal navigations. He is just back from the boat buying trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the Mediterranean. Last month we told how he bought the barge and began the journey north from the Mediterranean. Now he is about the tackle the mighty Rhone. This is his story, in his own words</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/4/null" name="__DdeLink__93_2783491693"></a></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We watched the flow rates intensively, knowing the river was higher and faster than most years, with the help of a very useful website giving all of the technical data for the river.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NGMtDGFHF-Z6ebIQtUZJYlJU0322gqoMYLEcHmkqxcr7hwqrUnSfKhxW2r0C5p9Y1N7hGTRgyMYiJvsyvGcJ4jkEfNuW64_76O1gjfjzh9NpVJKwTh5XjtuQtfWr9iu3BGAmX0fZfEsp/s1600/Onto+the+Rhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NGMtDGFHF-Z6ebIQtUZJYlJU0322gqoMYLEcHmkqxcr7hwqrUnSfKhxW2r0C5p9Y1N7hGTRgyMYiJvsyvGcJ4jkEfNuW64_76O1gjfjzh9NpVJKwTh5XjtuQtfWr9iu3BGAmX0fZfEsp/s320/Onto+the+Rhone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">J</span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;">ust leaving the Petite Rhone </span></span><span style="color: black;">with the main river ahead</span></span></td></tr>
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</i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </i></b></span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite that, we had to make a decision and we made the choice that we would go. Now we were on the Petite Rhone before it joined the main Rhone river several kilometres further on. Once on the main channel we knew the worst section was a narrow bridge at Beaucaire. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After leaving the first lock the Petite Rhone seemed quite calm, not flowing especially fast giving me some comfort that this mighty river was a just pussy cat after all.</span></span></span></span></span>Then we reached the confluence with the Rhone main river. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gulp. This was no pussy cat, more of a raging Lion. It was massive and you could clearly see the swirls, the eddies, the whirlpools, as the current ripped onwards.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWjKQ45JCLfvE00_e15-PvNMI5NYiQ508Nj0mLOP7KbWF984Q6p5Bmzr5Hg5lPyf0bWgS4AtzWDCjXbPLegqB6PAShR3WRj6_VoReWwIA7H30hJ83vLNc0ccfvadqLHZsHsBtv6CGc3Hd/s1600/first+view+of+Rhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWjKQ45JCLfvE00_e15-PvNMI5NYiQ508Nj0mLOP7KbWF984Q6p5Bmzr5Hg5lPyf0bWgS4AtzWDCjXbPLegqB6PAShR3WRj6_VoReWwIA7H30hJ83vLNc0ccfvadqLHZsHsBtv6CGc3Hd/s400/first+view+of+Rhone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Our first view of the Rhone</span></td></tr>
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</i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Now, we could have turned back, but we carried on; this was clearly not going to be a gentle ‘walk in the park,’ although we took heart from the fact we had just passed another smaller barge heading upstream and at a much slower pace than ourselves.</span></span></span></span>We thought if they can do it then so can we! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we crossed the giant river and over to our side of the navigation as I didn’t want to meet anything big coming down the middle of the river, potentially doing over 20 kmph. This part of the Rhone is also used by big ships that don’t hang about, so it was important they we stay vigilant at all times<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07CGQpGGzO6PeMZhFfOp6hywuIXsG5UQUJ_jUNFyiLlEHDZpIyuLjCVf1cg0J1BhGRbI-hmmxhFWiNIDrnquMU9K7wKJtykuMRyw0OWY3fu7F0PWpSKqqjdSAC2GfRWxxozHWUk5snTie/s1600/Rhone+barge+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07CGQpGGzO6PeMZhFfOp6hywuIXsG5UQUJ_jUNFyiLlEHDZpIyuLjCVf1cg0J1BhGRbI-hmmxhFWiNIDrnquMU9K7wKJtykuMRyw0OWY3fu7F0PWpSKqqjdSAC2GfRWxxozHWUk5snTie/s400/Rhone+barge+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A commercial barge – they are a bit big.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oiQEWXa6AgUfY8MmQtEsmg1XozVujB2vrCZAiwerAHJ9r-6dhqonGxM-OQVEevAaD6zPiMpyeJrhejC41oNmsII7NJEANScpo15onEePGedeGXTIqbqx6C2UCZpHZn2rfdhpSS4KpNIY/s1600/Rhone+barge+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oiQEWXa6AgUfY8MmQtEsmg1XozVujB2vrCZAiwerAHJ9r-6dhqonGxM-OQVEevAaD6zPiMpyeJrhejC41oNmsII7NJEANScpo15onEePGedeGXTIqbqx6C2UCZpHZn2rfdhpSS4KpNIY/s400/Rhone+barge+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And another</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BOY8s6mpaSeHDjiAJ2E1lnIVJduAJ_FrnRSn9KCYdJpLpazvM68Y1fvxEif5R_OKynLfq8Vm4YneuxOBRHaLAJXWtYuNkFP07T64_HSOQ3omtotnsFpWDH98NEIn48SHigb4LieTh5f7/s1600/Rhone+barge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BOY8s6mpaSeHDjiAJ2E1lnIVJduAJ_FrnRSn9KCYdJpLpazvM68Y1fvxEif5R_OKynLfq8Vm4YneuxOBRHaLAJXWtYuNkFP07T64_HSOQ3omtotnsFpWDH98NEIn48SHigb4LieTh5f7/s400/Rhone+barge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And another</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span> </i></b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Our vessel has to have something called AIS which shows the position of our boat and means we can also see the position of other boats that have AIS. For boats over a certain length on the European inland waterways this is mandatory and, if I am honest, I wouldn’t venture on to a commercial waterway without it. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">This device is a godsend as you can see ships well before they can be seen by eye and this gives you, and them, a chance to alter course to be safe and make best use of the river.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Boats over a certain size have to have something called a ‘blue board’ too, and/or an oscillating white light. </span></span></span></span></span>This is to give approaching vessels a signal that you intend to pass their boat on the starboard side when normally it would be on the port side, especially useful when travelling against a flow and you need to take full advantage of the slack water which may be on the opposite side of the navigation channel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time we were ‘blue boarded’ was a bit of a hair raiser, having never done it before, but once done and understood it was no problem, and we even did it to much larger vessels if it made sense for us to do so. We carried on against the flow, making very slow progress, around 7 kmph, until we could see the bridge at Beaucaire where we knew that the flow would be at its strongest.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFQbmsL043AyEsTSDa_qlow73eIQMJ3bYfFMwa1JP17Xh7DgSjGaUz07RZ3WKZFq6m6f4oAw-msDgpzK7ubswIYvMrR9PCqNXSMQGpqBh1rR1QbYBFvqJXVO40blE73u8OH1-5-7t-Bsn/s1600/Fast+currents+on+Rhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFQbmsL043AyEsTSDa_qlow73eIQMJ3bYfFMwa1JP17Xh7DgSjGaUz07RZ3WKZFq6m6f4oAw-msDgpzK7ubswIYvMrR9PCqNXSMQGpqBh1rR1QbYBFvqJXVO40blE73u8OH1-5-7t-Bsn/s400/Fast+currents+on+Rhone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The current on the Rhone takes no prisoners</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If anything went wrong as we were going through the bridge we could sink. if the engine had failed we would be swept sideways, pinned against the bridge abutments, capsize and sink. So it was a nerve racking few minutes as we entered the bridge.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have it on video as it was quite dramatic, the speed reduced to just 2 kmph as we inched trough the bridge-the engine now on full power. All 160HP turning the giant four blade propeller, pushing the 130 ton barge against the flow of water</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKRzkXdN7VrbD3gbFtsYdihlG11eewCibnj2gHktab-sOqB2pNclBjiqbTrS-Ed_qduaaNA32AjP3-Z6bub0rLjHZ9pNIYcKQuZWmtM6s4Xn_dG4oMkz9TsUQ0AmfoWXxGVFmnGaghxc/s1600/Bridge+at+Baucaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkKRzkXdN7VrbD3gbFtsYdihlG11eewCibnj2gHktab-sOqB2pNclBjiqbTrS-Ed_qduaaNA32AjP3-Z6bub0rLjHZ9pNIYcKQuZWmtM6s4Xn_dG4oMkz9TsUQ0AmfoWXxGVFmnGaghxc/s400/Bridge+at+Baucaire.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Approaching </span><span style="color: #222222;">the bridge at Beaucaire</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The current was ripping past our vessel as we inched through at a snails pace, I was concerned that we would end up going backwards, fearing we hadn’t got enough power to push against the flow, but the old barge kept moving, ever so slowly, forward.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then the speed started to increase kilometre by kilometre until we were back to our 7 kmph cruising speed, hugging the tree lined banks to stay in the slack water, looking for the shortest way around the bends to optimise the flow and shortest route - by no means an easy feat and requiring a lot of concentration.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal;">In the next episode: Big locks, big boats and the problem with locks that generate electricity.</span></span></span></span></span></h3>
</div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: normal;"><b>This series of articles can also be found in Towpath Talk newspaper every month this year.</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-43606802867843161922019-01-02T05:00:00.000+00:002019-01-02T05:00:03.135+00:00From the Mediterranean to the English Channel by boat - 1<h2>
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. HOW THE HUNT BEGAN</span></b></h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWXCKDiLTD4O4X48Y2Elxyy1YjWipqBpQtUyZ3HpHaUj53lsdIXEZ__BFqPAfbA8306C53N7JsLt8ebYHKuAlO670EU6G_2EIQUDoU0_8T2K34tz0mAle91aVeYQVr41578H1goqqGBE0/s1600/Simon+Jenkins+at+Norbury+Wharf+on+the+Shropshire+Union.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWXCKDiLTD4O4X48Y2Elxyy1YjWipqBpQtUyZ3HpHaUj53lsdIXEZ__BFqPAfbA8306C53N7JsLt8ebYHKuAlO670EU6G_2EIQUDoU0_8T2K34tz0mAle91aVeYQVr41578H1goqqGBE0/s200/Simon+Jenkins+at+Norbury+Wharf+on+the+Shropshire+Union.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Simon Jenkins. managing director<br />
of Norbury Wharf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simon Jenkins is a well known figure on the British canal system and has been a boater for decades, living on, working and owning boats and, for the last couple of decades, the managing director of Norbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There he runs a brokerage, hire fleet, day boats, a trip boat and a chandlery, as well as a paint dock, dry dock and full engineering services. Simon has dipped his toe in to the waters of other boat-related ideas including sea-going charters, but the inland waterways are his first love and he has turned his gaze to Europe, with it’s wide waterways and fully functioning system of commercial river and canal navigations. He is just back from the boat buying trip of a lifetime, bringing his first historic barge back to Belgium, the country in which it was built, from the shores of the Mediterranean. This is his story, in his own words.</span></b></h4>
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<blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It started as an idea back in 2015 - let’s branch out and buy boats on the continent to refurbish and resell. Norbury is pretty much at full potential now so we were on the lookout for other business ventures and the hunt for suitable boats started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For months, we looked at many online, watched the markets and researched the subject as thoroughly as possible, talking to anyone with an insight into the European boat market.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt7Fzwt-b3-DzfnkHTcTJiTtsrbLX4BW_xJE_5qeWsdPu7HSox6MHUv6ua-N7hnBUK2Z4EsU2CBb3wf1TQJYc-4O36r6dMfKs5ZfOZOG30LgpzoK6DAP86tYe7e-V3QVlPRGlpRkUnv4N/s1600/ambiorix+original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXt7Fzwt-b3-DzfnkHTcTJiTtsrbLX4BW_xJE_5qeWsdPu7HSox6MHUv6ua-N7hnBUK2Z4EsU2CBb3wf1TQJYc-4O36r6dMfKs5ZfOZOG30LgpzoK6DAP86tYe7e-V3QVlPRGlpRkUnv4N/s400/ambiorix+original.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ambiorix sat on its permanent mooring in Aigues-Mortes- when we first</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">viewed the boat on a winters day in December 2017</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end we found what appeared to be the perfect candidate for the project. It was a 100ft by 16.5ft, 130 ton Belgium-built barge, very similar to a Dutch Luxe-motor, built in 1911.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It had been owned and lived on by the previous owner for 27 years and was in need of some modernisation, so after negotiations we ended up purchasing it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we owned the Ambiorix, named after a great Belgium King who did serious damage to the occupying Romans around the time that Caesar invaded Britain.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I-gmOlUTc7_SWJ4F5JNUXJUDW5-btRvLgcM8qeYRa2vkL9uynEKtLpVva-24BCPCWeWxPSN6ax0nWIHZ-Edj-xDXC33qh4nJhG8kJbXzNoDHGLXhdcSoFO7E-YEBZ7thJBa79y0N56Pm/s1600/ambiorix+1980s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I-gmOlUTc7_SWJ4F5JNUXJUDW5-btRvLgcM8qeYRa2vkL9uynEKtLpVva-24BCPCWeWxPSN6ax0nWIHZ-Edj-xDXC33qh4nJhG8kJbXzNoDHGLXhdcSoFO7E-YEBZ7thJBa79y0N56Pm/s400/ambiorix+1980s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boat sometime in the early eighties in its unconverted state</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now all this sounds straightforward, but there was one small hurdle to jump - the boat was based in a small town called Aigues-Mortes in the South of France which is just a few Kilometres from the Mediterranean sea. In fact the canal was connected directly with the sea at a lovely sea port called Le Grau-du-Roi.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUc2OZqg46ooZ2NR7ABsFgWgQyWMdlmUSkcF_ZfFZTdht3xxDWCQTEEpzQ8XDJNbgRvWA0kvOBGiusdJdLMI3205NfXlfKBMXGP2gwSIHwH1arwJzc1neTb0lX71qsHiJl5FIHvQ9szxD/s1600/snow+clearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUc2OZqg46ooZ2NR7ABsFgWgQyWMdlmUSkcF_ZfFZTdht3xxDWCQTEEpzQ8XDJNbgRvWA0kvOBGiusdJdLMI3205NfXlfKBMXGP2gwSIHwH1arwJzc1neTb0lX71qsHiJl5FIHvQ9szxD/s400/snow+clearing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s not always sunny on the Mediterranean, this was just after we returned to the UK in Feb 2018,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> when the previous owner was keeping his eye on the boat for us</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This wonderful area of the South of France, known as the Camargue, is a beautiful place, full of pink flamingoes, white horses, and beaches, but not really suitable for what we wanted to do with a barge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8d50CynxhrKsZAXjTta0BFOtUa3BVdZyyim_owjZu7ozBjaKJ1ILaJsKOxDx7K5y9jd5Faivy7bJpt1KaaSsvser99YkhH8X_DvccBESgNkY_CHdWC6LfRN2o4WJmQhXjXPvAky8METw/s1600/White+horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8d50CynxhrKsZAXjTta0BFOtUa3BVdZyyim_owjZu7ozBjaKJ1ILaJsKOxDx7K5y9jd5Faivy7bJpt1KaaSsvser99YkhH8X_DvccBESgNkY_CHdWC6LfRN2o4WJmQhXjXPvAky8METw/s400/White+horses.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The famous white horses, seemingly wild and allowed to wonder freely in the Camargue</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For lots of reasons we decided to move the boat further North. It needed to come out of the water for a survey, painting and other works, and this was best carried out by a ship yard that knew the boat and had previously carried out work on it – a boatyard in Southern Belgium, some 1,200km and 250 locks away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided that, to further add to this journey, it would be easier to sell the vessel if it was in the North, probably Holland, as these types of boats are more common up there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A crew was organised to help us do the first and longest leg of the journey which was to move it from Aigues-Mortes to Belgium, and to a mooring close by the ship yard at a place called Lives-Sur-Meurse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had already spent a few weeks preparing the barge for its trip, including stocking up on essential supplies. Unlike the English canal network there are not that many places to stop with such a large boat and nip off and do a bit of shopping, so it was important to make sure we had enough food for four people for at least a week.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2PVa2BxIm98erHi9DcHGxvD75FD2mWAibvjB0cUMY4cpo_z5hnVyc3Ba1uFbF6Mzs5ysuyxKV9TdNEDJeYHfVvKzijPuUd-vbbkJ9JTjLfWXvARZtd4Bq4apK_IcmAR-kbAqsIgEZ7OK/s1600/Amanda+and+previous+owner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2PVa2BxIm98erHi9DcHGxvD75FD2mWAibvjB0cUMY4cpo_z5hnVyc3Ba1uFbF6Mzs5ysuyxKV9TdNEDJeYHfVvKzijPuUd-vbbkJ9JTjLfWXvARZtd4Bq4apK_IcmAR-kbAqsIgEZ7OK/s400/Amanda+and+previous+owner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Amanda and the previous owner Millena on the back of the barge </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">on its mooring in Aigues-Mortes, when we bought Ambiorix</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trip was meticulously planned and it worked out it should take 30 days from start to finish, including the odd stop to replenish stocks etc. So the final day came and we flew to Montpellier where the previous owner met us and took us to the boat.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day we met with the crew, Paul and Mal, a lovely couple originally from Birmingham and former narrowboat owners who now lived on a barge in central France. They really knew their onions!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a brief shopping trip, safety talk, and show around the boat it was time to set off. We untied after lunch in early June and headed North along the Branch of the Canal-du-Rhone a Sete, this would take us to our first big lock at Saint Gilles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JNDMdYsvkDRMeTDbvJgG54l_AF4eRPNsCNoSG6XBSgJQ-NIiu12vqqd9wphyphenhyphenVZLEtsKVC5vkqRyaLHGOWZ1oHxyC1lvuNLI-LOeTr78OuCKzaIALoufAMRWL7MjfL8NDQ1JPJWZMKB9/s1600/First+lock+of+journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JNDMdYsvkDRMeTDbvJgG54l_AF4eRPNsCNoSG6XBSgJQ-NIiu12vqqd9wphyphenhyphenVZLEtsKVC5vkqRyaLHGOWZ1oHxyC1lvuNLI-LOeTr78OuCKzaIALoufAMRWL7MjfL8NDQ1JPJWZMKB9/s400/First+lock+of+journey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The first lock of the journey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The locks that we were going to be doing were all automated, and in many cases manned by lock keepers or Eclusiers. To us, these were not the lockies of the canals or even the Thames, these were remote figures who couldn’t be seen. They were in elevated positions, often towering high above the locks like a control tower at an airport, the locks being massive, capable of taking 1,200 ton barges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our big boat – twice the length, twice the width and six times the displacement of the average narrowboat - seemed not so big any more as the lock seemed to almost swallow us up, We exited the lock and stayed on the lock approach for the night, all very peaceful.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1zwEdTOGM7M0UU4WwpC2QQaJwZxELeeyUQumXTc9RIH-urBgO_VSEJa5xbxBD6DjR0ri3b6wF4cYpjbFnJM0W7GwrHJFcr-MuTq1e8zEXsF8eaPa8Ylvm4qLLokFgivpJEW5qraKBnfN/s1600/Narrowboat+in+South+of+France.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1zwEdTOGM7M0UU4WwpC2QQaJwZxELeeyUQumXTc9RIH-urBgO_VSEJa5xbxBD6DjR0ri3b6wF4cYpjbFnJM0W7GwrHJFcr-MuTq1e8zEXsF8eaPa8Ylvm4qLLokFgivpJEW5qraKBnfN/s400/Narrowboat+in+South+of+France.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A narrowboat we passed on a test voyage in the South of France gives a sense of scale.<br />
These narrowboats get everywhere.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our early research and planning had told us we needed to pick the right time window as the mighty river Rhone was going to be the only route for us to head North. This river is supplied from its sources in the Swiss Alps, and the Alps over the winter had a massive amount of snow - and it was late in melting. That meant that the Rhone levels and flow were much greater than previous years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now the barge cruises at an impressive 12 kmph and flat-out will make 14 kmph, the river flow at certain points could be 10 kmph so this first part of the trip was going to be interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>In the next episode: Simon, Amanda and the crew tackle the mighty Rhone and wonder if they will make it through a bridge.</b></i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>This and further episodes of Simon and Amanda's journey across Europe are also being published in Towpath Talk newspaper during 2019</b></i></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-22759015246867198482014-12-19T14:41:00.000+00:002014-12-19T14:41:59.210+00:00Christmas boating holiday anyone?FREE Christmas boating holiday anyone?<br />
<br />
We have a 47ft, 4 berth boat at Maestermyn that
needs to be moved to Norbury Junction.<br />
<br />
For more details
email <a href="http://info@norburywharfltd.co.uk./">info@norburywharfltd.co.uk.</a><br />
<br />Regards David Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-30792685431093687272014-12-14T14:08:00.000+00:002014-12-14T14:08:34.564+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
The weeks are flying by... It will soon be Christmas.</div>
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This time next week we will be closing our doors until Saturday 27th December. It's the first time that we have closed for five days over Christmas, but we have decided that this year we will enjoy a well earned rest. Our Christmas and New Year opening hours can be found on our website here <a href="http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/">www.norburywharfltd.co.uk</a>.</div>
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We usually have a boom in boat sales early in the New Year, but these last few weeks have seen us virtually wiped out of stock. We currently only have five boats For Sale; all of which can be viewed on our website here <a href="http://norburywharfltd.co.uk/boats-for-sale/">http://norburywharfltd.co.uk/boats-for-sale/</a>, so if you have got a boat please contact us as we urgently need more stock!</div>
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We have got a couple of hire boats out at the moment - it's lovely and cosy on them at this time of the year with the gas fired central heating ticking over and the solid fuel stove roaring away in the saloon.</div>
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Jack Frost has been around on a few mornings this week, which subsequently meant that we had a bit of cat ice down the arm yesterday morning. Although saying that we haven't seen any serious drop in temperature to make the main line of the canal to freeze - although saying that, the Shropshire Union is one of the last canals to freeze as it has a steady flow of water from Barnhurst Sewage Treatment Works in Wolverhampton to the south to Ellesmere Port in the North. This makes for some interesting steering up the flights of locks at Audlem, Adderley and Tyrley! I hope that we don't have a winter like 2010 where we were breaking a foot (and more) of ice just to get the boats in and out of the docks.</div>
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Lee has finished giving Pandora her make-over in our company colours and Trevor has sign written her. Here she is on the dry dock following pressure washing and her first coat of blacking applied.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3H4eF_-ewjquLBszMHXX4kBtvuc5u6T1-hBF7Abk3PoCNtXoxjTcvNDAVOrvuU_tKW6xegEMHqKkZxqUIHPGYsGBb830yggenz9xm-gSyGhseoGejtiboiAX8UHrcuV4gJXs751Edk4/s1600/WP_20141211_11_23_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3H4eF_-ewjquLBszMHXX4kBtvuc5u6T1-hBF7Abk3PoCNtXoxjTcvNDAVOrvuU_tKW6xegEMHqKkZxqUIHPGYsGBb830yggenz9xm-gSyGhseoGejtiboiAX8UHrcuV4gJXs751Edk4/s1600/WP_20141211_11_23_54_Pro.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyQ2jcmUZ1gC2k2MZ0Ix9zSW4NrL2HSNmM3sazqEGU5Pf-xbRCSZTFfAx084AuAeRGywoWfE-7JgGysvdbpObkTT8BMmS-UY8_s63JLfc1aAyzPLvcy1_VCl3HLsX5PsJlE1Fg5-B7O8b/s1600/WP_20141211_11_24_21_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyQ2jcmUZ1gC2k2MZ0Ix9zSW4NrL2HSNmM3sazqEGU5Pf-xbRCSZTFfAx084AuAeRGywoWfE-7JgGysvdbpObkTT8BMmS-UY8_s63JLfc1aAyzPLvcy1_VCl3HLsX5PsJlE1Fg5-B7O8b/s1600/WP_20141211_11_24_21_Pro.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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She will be available to hire from February - full details are available here <a href="http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/narrow-boat-hire/">http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/narrow-boat-hire/</a>.</div>
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Until next time...</div>
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<br />Best regards, David.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-76900355258628322922014-12-14T10:15:00.001+00:002014-12-14T10:15:57.343+00:00Norbury News December 2014<div data-configid="14287375/10556138" style="width:525px; height:371px;" class="issuuembed"></div><script type="text/javascript" src="//e.issuu.com/embed.js" async="true"></script> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-71757257045524316372014-11-30T16:26:00.001+00:002014-11-30T16:26:10.222+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lee has finished painting Still Dreaming, which is the share owned boat that he has been painting for the last four weeks. It was a big job. The paint hadn't been applied to a very good standard and certainly not keyed between coats so we decided to bare-metal the whole cabin before applying any paint. Mick has fitted her back up - that's putting the windows back in and all the fittings and we have today got her out of the painting dock and she has gone into the dry dock for blacking. Here's what she looks like.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnB9o6ukib6X1tLZJmMqLR0RMWik6qAiDOxlMEWu-RV61gsaIrY1aAHaJolwyyI5paJluvhuOOvuyimCSl9m3FHP5XMGf-hnOYXn_D8n69gNYs4_LVsp_oMlhBawTquS_mx_4QmNwEsXL/s1600/Still+Dreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnB9o6ukib6X1tLZJmMqLR0RMWik6qAiDOxlMEWu-RV61gsaIrY1aAHaJolwyyI5paJluvhuOOvuyimCSl9m3FHP5XMGf-hnOYXn_D8n69gNYs4_LVsp_oMlhBawTquS_mx_4QmNwEsXL/s1600/Still+Dreaming.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here is a close up of the sign writing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIMiFxR5msB8INEN7QOBmhkUB11rgwqIqSPMYNfcvPdAMDyZtxoyWYoYZdHpIWmmGlzsQtC-u44xHgzlNAqG8PuJlF-n-uJnKRP3Wh1wj5IRgKoKZYFcJTQshoeX39km9iwGZRpAWOL3n/s1600/WP_20141128_10_17_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIMiFxR5msB8INEN7QOBmhkUB11rgwqIqSPMYNfcvPdAMDyZtxoyWYoYZdHpIWmmGlzsQtC-u44xHgzlNAqG8PuJlF-n-uJnKRP3Wh1wj5IRgKoKZYFcJTQshoeX39km9iwGZRpAWOL3n/s1600/WP_20141128_10_17_57_Pro.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've now put our new hire boat into the painting dock, that's Pandora - so wait to see her transformation.<br />
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Until next week.<br />
<br />Regards, David.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-20302243350050911112014-11-27T10:53:00.000+00:002014-11-27T10:53:00.747+00:00What you doing?People often say to me at this time of year "I bet your job has gone quiet now?" and I reckon that lots of people think the same thing, I can honestly say that yes certain parts of our business go quiet, take the tearoom for example, we reduce the opening hours in the week as there are not so many folk about, but come the weekend it can be just as manic as in the summer, the shop is obviously quieter too, but dont forget that we have a great Ebay shop that keeps the girls busy, we are just about to also launch our own new online shop too, this will have over 20,000 items of chandlery in it, and available for next day dispatch, David is working hard on that to try and get it done by Christmas, however our web designers are slowing the process down a little so it might be in the new year now, but what doesn't slow down is the engineering work and painting, not only do we try and concentrate on refurbishing our hire fleet we also carry on with private work and this winter sees Mick doing a partial refit on a boat as well fitting a new bow thruster and several upgrades, I will get some photos as it progresses, Lee is in the final stages of painting a shared owned boat which David will post some pictures of this weekend, Bernard and Fred have just finished a plating job on the dock, that was a big job! Bernard is now in the 'thick of it' on the fleet winterising them in readiness for the arctic like conditions that have been forecast. That pretty much leaves me, and I don't sit around with nothing to do, I work on promoting the company, advertising, putting deals together, quotes for work, ordering stock, answering the phones, however according to the rest of the staff here I don't do much! <br />
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Regards<br />
Simon Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-49383603787982840902014-11-16T15:24:00.000+00:002014-11-16T15:24:07.399+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been another busy week here at Norbury.</div>
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The plating work on Sphynx is coming along well. We docked her last Sunday, Mick pressure washed her off and then Bernard and Fred have been cutting plates and tacking them in position. It's been like something out a comedy sketch listening to them this week, but I must admit that I do miss them when they aren't around! Anyway, all the plates are now on and one side is continuously welded. Just the other side to weld up now and the stern gear and rudder gear to finish fitting. We'll then give her a couple coats of Bitumen and will flood the dock.</div>
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Lee has been battling on with the preparation of Still Dreaming for painting. I must admit that I think it may be the most difficult boat that we have ever painted. She had endless layers of paint, of which the adhesion was very poor. He also run into difficulty with the filler mentioned last week, but I think we have now over come this and he is now at the stage of apply primer and hopefully later in the week some colour will be added. Here she is bare metalled and with a coat of rust inhibitor applied.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnCi6m3z5pUcCqcSNNxwUMmOT-hVvbU_aoDt0OOrHtnYaNWWfbYxp8-hRuAhYdYdKmSCfZxBYeUPVEfSsnRwll67Ney_1u3l3wFjiSNMeVZk-HbN4JPkhxKJxce11zhxKU-wM4TlcCO66/s1600/16112014+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnCi6m3z5pUcCqcSNNxwUMmOT-hVvbU_aoDt0OOrHtnYaNWWfbYxp8-hRuAhYdYdKmSCfZxBYeUPVEfSsnRwll67Ney_1u3l3wFjiSNMeVZk-HbN4JPkhxKJxce11zhxKU-wM4TlcCO66/s1600/16112014+001.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here she is with her first coat of primer on.<br />
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We've also been busy on another regular customers boat. This involved removing a porthole and a window and fitting a new porthole. We managed this; between showers, and here's the result.</div>
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We've also completed the sales on Silver Swallow, Silver Dew and Pickles.<br />
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Until next time.</div>
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<br />Best regards, David.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-28542388742309532052014-11-09T16:32:00.002+00:002014-11-09T16:33:07.699+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly please accept my apologies for the lack of recent blogs.</div>
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We are now past the end of "the season" and getting ready for winter mode! The hire boats have gone quiet although saying that Summer Wine and Ember are out at the moment and Quince and Phoebe are out later in the week. We've still got a steady flow of customers who are taking the dayboats out no matter what the weather is like. The yard certainly is not quiet. We have just finished painting Armadillo which also included replacing all the portholes with new double glazed units, modifying porthole liners, engine service, docking and blacking and; to finish the job off, a new cratch cover. She's looking very smart and the artwork sets the whole job off. I think you'd agree...</div>
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We have now got one of our shared owned boats in for a full repaint. Here's a picture of Still Dreaming when we first put her in the paint dock last week.</div>
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We've run in to a few problems, all of which can be over come. The handrails have been "built up" when the boat was new as the owners at the time weren't happy with it, but when this was done the steel used to build the handrail up was just stitch welded on, rather than being continuously welded and then filler was used to fill the remainder of the gap shown here.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavQMDqRq73MobwKlGOw8OH5vy2tRkRaBvbsxst5VZq_xpeDw0cjLuHw4ghgp7giw6SL-colKXcrgeihtPQDJ9jxJzWK3bv56ArNhiSPoaFJdzbUlio6fZmtJH3whPAds3dy7JAM9j2mCl/s1600/WP_20141107_14_07_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavQMDqRq73MobwKlGOw8OH5vy2tRkRaBvbsxst5VZq_xpeDw0cjLuHw4ghgp7giw6SL-colKXcrgeihtPQDJ9jxJzWK3bv56ArNhiSPoaFJdzbUlio6fZmtJH3whPAds3dy7JAM9j2mCl/s1600/WP_20141107_14_07_10_Pro.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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We've got a busy week ahead, but more of that next time!</div>
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Best regards, David</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-80365988534057536582014-11-08T11:03:00.001+00:002014-11-08T11:45:29.517+00:00Norbury News<iframe width="400" height="283" src="//e.issuu.com/embed.html#14287375/10054086" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-70394455427285047732014-09-28T12:55:00.002+01:002014-09-28T12:55:59.198+01:00Grit blasting and apply two-pack epoxy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week saw us docking a boat for grit blasting and subsequently applying a two pack epoxy rather than the more usual pressure washing and applying a bitumen based product or Comastic.<br />
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We blank the dock out for a week to carry out the works as there is plenty of cleaning up to do once the job is complete. Basically we dock the boat on a Sunday and pressure wash it, then on the Monday morning our grit blaster arrives who removes all the coatings off of the boat from the rubbing guard down to the base plate. The following day we apply one coat of two pack and a subsequent coat the day after. We then give it plenty of time to dry before re floating the boat. A week also allows us time to complete any other jobs that the customer has requested or we find following letting the water out of the dock.</div>
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After docking the boat last Sunday it soon became evident why the customer was experiencing water ingress through his stern tube. The propeller shaft was well worn, although the boat had only done 900 hours! The type of stern gear that was fitted isn't really suitable for the dirty water of the canals, so after a discussion it was decided to remove it and replace it with conventional stern gear (ie. with a packing gland). It was also necessary to fit a new propeller as the shaft size would be different and whilst we were at it we upgraded the coupling (between the gearbox and propeller shaft) from a standard R&D coupling to a Centraflex. Here's a few pictures as the work progressed...</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kfATXtfl4ptygbljeTetACPJsbhfgaxcpTRP3rtzgwuOA8d8TuevPP6h7YJCSSRQsRFjSVXO1d3buiVQHjdwKPLPfmj68JBOJqnTKjV5hB13UZujv_XCo-IYXkkavzHBDYpUXo9lLB4j/s1600/28092014+003.jpg" height="180" width="320" /> </div>
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<i><b>Original stern gear removed and replacement shaft in place. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Centre tube and weld in boss sat on the skeg ready for fitting. </b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-irUlTJxm7WdYrnVhLpRwwS5UeC8_tfOD7AAZuwUCihWIIUgWyPiDpwJKr9F693P6nBDRtqrcNepYG0rWFJ0mIgCaLaEG9gmXnS9kiBkNIK2u2UMCUKFAl5wT26VGd8BNUF1y45Y35EA/s1600/28092014+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-irUlTJxm7WdYrnVhLpRwwS5UeC8_tfOD7AAZuwUCihWIIUgWyPiDpwJKr9F693P6nBDRtqrcNepYG0rWFJ0mIgCaLaEG9gmXnS9kiBkNIK2u2UMCUKFAl5wT26VGd8BNUF1y45Y35EA/s1600/28092014+004.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Bernard welding in the new boss.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B-pW5cyhMxIjuA8LDr87h57Rb8hVXoyg_RSP9LA1jnLRbLUhibmZSXMein9_kU8TnqKzPRg6eiQSTjO1rsR9V_YTnvMrCRrpE8_dQ4-7zoI3hwGBoe665lMJI_02Yl9SvmL2HMiKpzhN/s1600/28092014+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B-pW5cyhMxIjuA8LDr87h57Rb8hVXoyg_RSP9LA1jnLRbLUhibmZSXMein9_kU8TnqKzPRg6eiQSTjO1rsR9V_YTnvMrCRrpE8_dQ4-7zoI3hwGBoe665lMJI_02Yl9SvmL2HMiKpzhN/s1600/28092014+001.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>New propeller fitted.</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsuG9KVrMVlxUmHPd9kW8G0lBxBqGZE5Zc1JQYmT9KEp8y7aExbYfg6b0BJaalpBe1usyItY9svbH056qGUm22G17OdgttZOt99301XcJGNEQpgO_LzRlfIYsqaZy6LU9_88mI_VClYGZ/s1600/28092014+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsuG9KVrMVlxUmHPd9kW8G0lBxBqGZE5Zc1JQYmT9KEp8y7aExbYfg6b0BJaalpBe1usyItY9svbH056qGUm22G17OdgttZOt99301XcJGNEQpgO_LzRlfIYsqaZy6LU9_88mI_VClYGZ/s1600/28092014+002.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>The boat is blacked, counter bands repainted,</b></i></div>
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<i><b>new stern gear fitted and ready to be re floated.</b></i></div>
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For a quote, please contact Simon or myself by email <a href="mailto:info@norburywharfltd.co.uk">info@norburywharfltd.co.uk</a> or call 01785 284292.</div>
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Best regards, David.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-45528014840336282072014-09-21T15:55:00.002+01:002014-09-21T15:55:50.085+01:00Boom in boat sales begins<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Boaters and would-be boaters seem
to be more optimistic than for several years and, although there are still lots
of boats up for sale, there seem to be more buyers entering the market.</div>
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Norbury Wharf,
reports “phenomenal sales during the last few weeks,” and manager David Ray
says they have almost sold out of boats.</div>
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He added: “Although there are
still many existing boaters who have decided to sell, we are now seeing more
people who are trading up to a better boat and a lot more new families deciding
that they want to own a boat. There is also an increase in the numbers buying a
boat in order to live on it.”</div>
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He feels the upsurge is something
more than the impact of a lovely spring with a promise of a sunny summer. “You
get the feeling that the many buyers now visiting us here on the Shropshire
Union have decided the time is right to spend money they have not been willing
to spend in recent years.</div>
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“Some are judging, probably
correctly, that prices for used boats are now probably as good value as they
are ever going to be.”</div>
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The boom in boat sales may also
be linked to Norbury's policy of advising sellers on how best to present their
boats before they are seen by the buying public.</div>
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“It is important that the broker
has as much history of the boat as possible which will allow the broker to do a
comprehensive write up,” said David.</div>
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“The boat should have all
personal possessions removed and have a full inventory. It helps to have the
boat clean, beds made up and feeling homely, with cushions on sofas, stove
blacked, windows clean. The outside should be clean too with only the essential
equipment left on the roof. It helps to have the cabin paintwork clean and
maybe polished. If the boat has been docked and blacked it provides evidence
that the boat has been well cared for. </div>
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“Whilst the boat is on brokerage
owners are encouraged to continue to visit to keep the boat clean, tidy and well
ventilated especially during the winter months. Potential purchasers will be
looking for: dry cabin bilges, clean engine bilges with no oil or antifreeze
evident, well kept, absence of leaks from vents and windows.</div>
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“Too much clutter makes them feel
it can never be their boat, and they want to know they can impose their own
style on the vessel if they decide to buy.</div>
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“It is basic advice really but
you would be surprised how many scruffy, dirty and clearly unloved boats you
can find at brokerages and even on sale privately.”</div>
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Once an offer has been accepted,
expect the purchaser to commission an independent marine surveyor to carry out
at least a non-destructive hull survey and if any items are picked up on the
purchasers will probably come back with a reduced offer. </div>
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Norbury is still in search of
boats to sell.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-63879584300004217262014-09-14T17:20:00.001+01:002014-09-14T17:20:45.153+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've given the boat on the dry dock this week a bit of tlc. Firstly he stem post was split - that's the very front of the boat. I imagine this damage has been caused by impact with a number of cills in locks. It had been repaired previously. So Bernard set to with welder in hand and patched it up and completed the job by bending and welding a piece of 2 inch rubbing guard up the front of it. I must say that he made a very neat job, but unfortunately I didn't have time to get back over to the dock and get another picture from the same angle before the lads flooded the dry dock, but here is the before shot!</div>
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It was also necessary to replace the propeller shaft as the keen eye will spot that the end of it has rotted off. I would hazard a guess that some one fitted a steel nut which has rotted off and subsequently the end of the stainless steel shaft has decayed some what. <br />
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To remove the propeller it is necessary to disconnect the propshaft in the engine space. For those of you that know Bernard will know that he isn't the smallest person and it still amazes me how he manages to squeeze in to spaces as big as this... </div>
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That's it from me today.<br />
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Best regards,<br />
<br />DavidUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-60002221257860492862014-08-31T10:22:00.000+01:002014-08-31T10:22:51.004+01:00Narrowboat AvengerWe sell somewhere between 50 and 80 boats a year, depending on the market at the time. The majority of these boats are what we class as conventional narrowboats. By this I mean with flat bottoms, a modern diesel engine and living accommodation. These boats usually come in three classes as shown below:<br />
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<u>Cruiser stern</u> - large rear deck with the engine below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuyPZSrv0FsHK66Q5Ma0NQQpAkLXdVL0jtmwquhybMHN2G1FZYZ9WsPTM4r1rSaKHIy5_pfa8oImYnGT7d-gxU1KB0n59Chu-WZokR4pi7qnGyqNCxfbuGWJrZz7WfISAOuzcn8Mux_Hy/s1600/Pippin+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuyPZSrv0FsHK66Q5Ma0NQQpAkLXdVL0jtmwquhybMHN2G1FZYZ9WsPTM4r1rSaKHIy5_pfa8oImYnGT7d-gxU1KB0n59Chu-WZokR4pi7qnGyqNCxfbuGWJrZz7WfISAOuzcn8Mux_Hy/s1600/Pippin+001.jpg" height="177" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<u>Semi traditional stern</u> - similiar to a cruiser stern but with cabin sides that extend to give more protection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW6dgUIDsC7KerrBlvD9p-tddpLiRxjHgBOYnz56ar7_NpRZ0YlZoHAxyl8MX_GT_QBmAfXzsHVuJO9llJUJCTEQNjFlp5chCvx8wy-8pfWrJB8Ypg-em1U0zZkAJZmD2PzxzuXOgvrn9/s1600/Aquamarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW6dgUIDsC7KerrBlvD9p-tddpLiRxjHgBOYnz56ar7_NpRZ0YlZoHAxyl8MX_GT_QBmAfXzsHVuJO9llJUJCTEQNjFlp5chCvx8wy-8pfWrJB8Ypg-em1U0zZkAJZmD2PzxzuXOgvrn9/s1600/Aquamarine.jpg" height="240" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<u>Traditional stern</u> - Small rear deck with the engine enclosed within the cabin.</div>
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On rare occasions we get specialist boats in that some may class as tugs. These boats aren't everyones cup of tea as they usually have a traditional boatmans cabin at the back (similar to that on the traditional working narrowboat) followed by an engine room where a traditional type engine stands to be admired followed by the main living cabin and a long deck on the front, either raised to the level of the gunwhales or lowered to form a well deck. We have one such boat for sale at the moment. Her name is Avenger and she is 60 feet in length. We have had her on the dock this week for pressure washing and blacking and we have also put some paint on the counter bands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4oOskPvP7NUVwPWz1h_wambGqkUQ-0csWfsKc2F1fhpLxLL50q-OTExReuSYsdp0RL5D5-dl1hpCzOb3nUHtiCetNj04pMjY6GOv5N3TKUwE8NIO82n89dc3kwu76FLFDc_lbO8U6DAU/s1600/Avenger+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4oOskPvP7NUVwPWz1h_wambGqkUQ-0csWfsKc2F1fhpLxLL50q-OTExReuSYsdp0RL5D5-dl1hpCzOb3nUHtiCetNj04pMjY6GOv5N3TKUwE8NIO82n89dc3kwu76FLFDc_lbO8U6DAU/s1600/Avenger+017.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the picture above she does require painting to tidy her exterior up, but the shape of her hull is just delightful. She has a long swim at both front and back which makes her glide effortlessly through the water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ArkERDTz9Xujm8-vXAVVA5dJyXAHeYXwqqyIjdw_2fPZGG9UqGfCS0Ml1yqrzJ7jjh5xRSfKPq2ZmBz8fwN9KXaWb_z4zR14PS8zj9nZEs4e5uH20-CQ7skxCsS5R1HByYEQ1QMpqm3h/s1600/Avenger+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ArkERDTz9Xujm8-vXAVVA5dJyXAHeYXwqqyIjdw_2fPZGG9UqGfCS0Ml1yqrzJ7jjh5xRSfKPq2ZmBz8fwN9KXaWb_z4zR14PS8zj9nZEs4e5uH20-CQ7skxCsS5R1HByYEQ1QMpqm3h/s1600/Avenger+012.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RAwnbycfd1K5VTefz0fB7rLp-PEtaaedi53YKxh_79cb64mnCwVnabjdVewxjuauZD9M_antaYLN_vo25NJfU_1pm_qHBZRzWHpSFCL1t8eFH_edJB2zPZb0eBrpvTnWUrDIsnqTQEZL/s1600/Avenger+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RAwnbycfd1K5VTefz0fB7rLp-PEtaaedi53YKxh_79cb64mnCwVnabjdVewxjuauZD9M_antaYLN_vo25NJfU_1pm_qHBZRzWHpSFCL1t8eFH_edJB2zPZb0eBrpvTnWUrDIsnqTQEZL/s1600/Avenger+015.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfnj3mnnpHRSKcojUxUdKDs3N0WBz60Wo8ujQ2ZVSL5SQhf90aLtAp9I0CGO6NnWeJZR7EVNKBe5SQ2qxqKUR-V4xWGAxnD7d_6KeARejhAFVrLhDEaKVPpaQCZxorWqbtwEeXDGdaezm/s1600/Avenger+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfnj3mnnpHRSKcojUxUdKDs3N0WBz60Wo8ujQ2ZVSL5SQhf90aLtAp9I0CGO6NnWeJZR7EVNKBe5SQ2qxqKUR-V4xWGAxnD7d_6KeARejhAFVrLhDEaKVPpaQCZxorWqbtwEeXDGdaezm/s1600/Avenger+016.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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She is powered by an amazing Kelvin K2 engine which design dates from the 1930s. These engines were originally fitted to fishing boats and are unique as you start them on petrol and once the ignition chambers are warm you change them over to diesel. Below is a video of the Kelvin fitted in the narrowboat Owl.<br />
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They sound just superb when they are ticking over with a maximum rpm of just 750!</div>
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She has a boatmans cabin at the rear, followed by the engine room and basically a blank canvas in the forward cabin to fit out as required.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaE07ybYAec4QRwYjzJauaEC3L_RYwPkKkw6J7H1iDtOwqUsuNPBpHC70j5g25JWsyzG803imIf1x53Crz86hp-kJbH9eGlMzAE4E2w3nWXE4fpxCdh77esGJIikiMoXaI1IPcg4cybkg/s1600/Avenger+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaE07ybYAec4QRwYjzJauaEC3L_RYwPkKkw6J7H1iDtOwqUsuNPBpHC70j5g25JWsyzG803imIf1x53Crz86hp-kJbH9eGlMzAE4E2w3nWXE4fpxCdh77esGJIikiMoXaI1IPcg4cybkg/s1600/Avenger+001.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYS_Z80jrm7bpf3OIrkTScGTXrT71GftOeE2u9fmv31jPGoIsjL3Jacgy4Q8jLgdaQYYOQumOmZ71ECAPm7kksR7xY_RiULTTP1m-gJBJHTiOkwaIEJDj9zrCVxT11Tnd7FCPjUSn4epV/s1600/Avenger+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYS_Z80jrm7bpf3OIrkTScGTXrT71GftOeE2u9fmv31jPGoIsjL3Jacgy4Q8jLgdaQYYOQumOmZ71ECAPm7kksR7xY_RiULTTP1m-gJBJHTiOkwaIEJDj9zrCVxT11Tnd7FCPjUSn4epV/s1600/Avenger+005.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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She is available for viewing daily between 8.30am and 5pm here at Norbury. Further details can be found on our website <a href="http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/">www.norburywharfltd.co.uk</a>.</div>
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Regards,</div>
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David </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3210805021658411045.post-52030401032977499812014-08-25T17:15:00.001+01:002014-08-25T17:15:14.756+01:00It's been typical bank holiday weather today. Rain, rain and more rain...Which has given us time to catch up on some work and reflect on a busy weekend.<br />
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We had three dayboats out on Friday morning, six hire boats in the afternoon and finally the trip boat in the evening. Saturday was very similar with three dayboats out in the morning, seven hire boats and the holiday cottage in the afternoon and the trip boat in the evening. Yesterday was busy also with the trip boat running four 1-hour long trips throughout the day. Full details of all the trips that The Shropshire Star can offer can be found <a href="http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/passenger-trip-boat/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Our main season is nearly over, so I suspect this week will be the last week that we have all the boats out, but nows the time to grab a bargain if you are thinking of hiring a boat. Our hire boat discounts can be found <a href="http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/narrow-boat-hire/discounts/" target="_blank">here</a>. There's even a ten berth boat for a week at £500!!!!<br />
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Have a good week.<br />
<br />Regards,<br />
<br />
David.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0