Le canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne
Sans Peur
Grete & Fred Vithen
Tue 11 Nov 2014 15:58
This is a challenge, 71 locks will lift us 239 m, then a tunnel at the highest point finally 43 locks down stream, 156 m.
114 narrow locks in 224 km. Will probably take us around 10 days.
So far we made 171 locks in two months. Max has done more then 50 since his arrival in Paris.
Bow thruster (BT) functioning again (we are back on track). There is no way this captain can handle this floating "bath tub” without BT. And then a GT in the afternoon. A bit of stress still sometimes in these narrow locks. But the team (BT, Max and Grete and the 2 months experienced, or maybe unexperienced, skipper is ready to take on this challenge, Max and Grete working perfectly together. So we are quite confident we will manage this adventure in style.
Max and Grete saved Sans Peur when BT broke down, jammed, trying to chew a steel bar from a bed lamp (floating in the second last lock). Grete and Max dragged Sans Peur through the last lock and then when we finally reached the tiny (closed for the season) marina they have to jump onto the side of the canal and again drag Sans Peur in place.
Without the keel down (to shallow to have it down, it’s about 1,8 m here, maybe less, keel down our draught is 2,3 m) manoeuvring gets more tricky in close narrow areas
Going to, coming from.
Our aim is to reach Saint Dizier tomorrow. 13 locks (71 to 59) and 28 km:s. We are allowed to start at 9. Commercial barges will start at 7.
Sun will be out just before eight. French new made perfect bread will be delivered by the captain just after 8.
Sunset, about 17. By then we will be moored and having a well deserved afternoon drink.
A nice Spagetti Bolognese (prepared in advance) just has to be heated.
Are we suffering? A bit cold during the day, but generator works well and our Webasto heater is doing a great job during the night. Hot water is always available onboard.
Time to prepare dinner. Having some nice wine. And then entering the bed, today extra nice, linen wasched at the Lavarie today.