The last month of the summer cruise 2007
We are now in “winter lair”
Dear all
On the 27th of July we reached our destination for this year, Valence on River Rhône about 100 km south of Lyon. Here is a lot “nature” and we really feel it with strong current in the river, hard wind – not always but often.
We had no problem to achieve a mooring place for a year, wonderful. The first couple of days we stayed at a guest place.
There was a lot of storm when we moved to our permanent place but with help from our new French neighbours we succeeded to press SNOOPY in between the pontoon and a huge boat next to us. In fact there is not even space for a mosquito on slimming diet to pass between the fenders J
On our last navigation to Valence we met an Australian Peniche-yacht. By the way the skipper navigated we think it was his first day with a tiller. In the locks he was across the walls, in one lock the lock keeper came down from the tower to help him to get aside so other boats could enter the lock. At a point he was going to overtake us, at full speed he crash into a huge pillar buoy – the noise was scary and then the skipper shouted at his wife and kids. Afterwards he slow down and stayed behind us.
On Canal du Centre we had one day with rain from start to end and with the locks “against” us. We passed 11 locks and only 2 were open when we arrived. 2 locks were out of order so we have to phone the VNF (French canal service). At the rest we had to wait for the red light to be green. A long, wet day – the distance poor 13 km and the speed 2.3 km/h.
Every day we are checking the filter for the cooling water. Why – sometimes we have “half a jungle” in the filter, one day we found a fish (see pictures) perhaps it possible to cut in the budget for dinner.
When we arrived at Chalon-sur-Saône we ended the canal navigation. The rest of the cruise was on rivers: Saône and Rhône. It means from time to time heavy current and more wind. In Chalon-s-S the water level can change up to 3 meters. We stayed one week in Chalon-s-S, saw the firework on July 14th on the river.
Lyon is a “white and light” town. There are no facilities for boats, but you can come alongside several quays. It was a beautiful entrance to the town, we saw the old roman theatres “build” by Cesar 2000 years ago. A town worth visiting.
After Lyon you are on river Rhône it is nice to have the current (around 5 km/h) with you. Boats going upstream are having a hard time. We expected the Rhône to be dull but in fact we found it beautiful with a lot of soft banks, lots of trees, mountains in the distance and the houses “becomes” more Mediterranean like.
Our first stop after Lyon was Vienne. It is a beautiful old town found by the Romans, who wish to build a mini-Rome. You still find a roman temple etc. very impressing. We moored at a quay where we enjoyed the passing of the big hotel boats – one hour after the passing we were still almost lifted out of the water by their waves. The good thing was – we didn’t need our alarm clock the next morning J
We have been inside Valence, about 3 km from the harbour. It is a nice town. When we return in about 4 month we are looking forward to have a closer look at the town and the surroundings.
Right now we are occupied doing SNOOPY ready for the next 4 month without us. Our new French neighbours have promised to keep an eye on it.
The harbour is nice, fine facilities and sweet people around us. We have observed that a lot of boats are moored with chains instead of robes. OK – the wind can be strong (the Mistral) – but SNOOPY will be secured.
This is certainly not Paris, but instead of the Colon of Bastille we have a nice blue column in front of us. And in change for the soft light of the buildings of Paris we have got a new bridge which - in the evening - is illuminated by heavy neon light – it is not dull at all J
It has been a two month wonderful cruise. For a while there will be silent around SNOOPY as the crew for a period will stay in another part of the globe.
More to follow.
Love
Jytte and Rudy
Valence
3rd of August 2007
Updated the 03.08.2007