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2006 Roanne to Holland |
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If last year was our longest cruise, we were able to eclipse it in 2006. We managed 3859 km, a meager 460 locks, a total engine rebuild, the complete destruction of our wheelhouse, an eventful crossing of the Ijsselmeer, and the early replacement of some new starting batteries. We had the boat hauled out for an inspection of her bottom, which was in great shape for an 87 year old.
Our guests included sister Shelley and her husband Gord, Bob and Bari who had joined us in the Midi a couple of years ago, cousin Janice and husband Bob, the new owners Tom and Gayle, and, at the end of the season, friend Kathy from Vancouver. All were experienced cruisers and a delight to have with us to share our adventure.
In the excitement department, we took the Strepy-Thieu lift in Belgium, which raises some 20 boats and barges a vertical lift of 75 metres. We went through the Riqueval tunnel (the longest tunnel in France at 5.6 km) two ways under tow. We crossed the Ijsselmeer in a reasonable chop that cost us a bottle of wine and a lamp, smashed on the salon floor. We also cruised the lower Rhine west through Holland amid some of the really big ocean-going ships.
Since pictures are worth a thousand words I will cut the narrative short to make room for some snaps. |
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2003 Holland |
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2003 Belgium |
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2003 France |
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2003 Christmas |
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Cheese Page |
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le Fin d'Hiver |
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2004 Midi |
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2004 Bourgogne |
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Social Scene |
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| 2005 Alsace |
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| Champagne & Burgundy |
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| Katie |
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| 2006 Holland |
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| 2006 Return |
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The traditional BBQ in Artaix was larger than ever, with 8 boats and about 30 boaters enjoying a fresh spring day, wine, and steamed oysters. |
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Before we left we were treated to this gorgeous sunrise in Roanne. |
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We cruised to Holland with friends Hans and Souza on Corma, passing though Paris as we navigated the Seine to Conflin |
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At Conflin we joined the canals heading north to Belgium. As a confluence of the Seine and Oise rivers it is a natural gathering place for commercial barges, seen here by the dozen. |
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On the way to the Riqueval tunnel we passed this bridge, featured in a famous WW1 photograph of over a thousand Allied soldiers sitting on the muddy banks and in the drained canal. |
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The lift at Strepy-Thieu is an amazing feat of engineering. It has not received the traffic that was expected so waits are short and you generally get in on the first lift. |
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We stopped at the rowing club quai in Liege where these large piston rings are on display. This is a very nice mooring at no cost but with no power or water. |
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Unfortunately, at the Belgium-Holland border our engine gave out with a mighty crunch as a valve dropped into the cylinder. Fortunately Hans was able to tow us the 50 km to Maasbracht where we had some major work done at the Houben shop. |
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Some rather large ships passed us as we motored down the Rhine in Holland |
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and, a flotilla of very small motorboats kept us company across the lakes. |
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The ongoing saga of our Holland voyage continues with a less eventful return journey. |
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Our first objective was met, having the barge hauled out, inspected and the bottom repainted. No plating required and that's since 1919! |
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A bridge too low...to say the least we did a number on our wheelhouse by misjudging it. We were not amused |
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