We had an enjoyable overnight stop at Les Andelys, with a lovely dinner out in a local restaurant, I had huge grilled Prawns with herbed mayonnaise and rice and Jim had Roast Chicken, sautéed potatoes and ratatouille, followed by Lemon Tart and Coupe Amarena.
We set off at 11am this morning heading for L’Illon. We originally had planned to go to Vernon with a view to visiting Claude Monets House, but the Capitainerie in Les Andelys didn’t recommend us stopping there as he said security was a bit of an issue.
The morning was a bit overcast but still warm and we arrived at the next lock, Notre Dame De La Garenne, at 12 noon. Same style of lock as Amfreville, but not quite as big, we were the only boat in the chamber and had a bit of an easier lock through this time, than Amfreville, although still not easy.
12.30pm saw us through the chamber and out and we continued on, passed Vernon (which looked absolutely beautiful and we did have second thoughts about stopping there, but the thought of something happening to the boat, made us move on).
We arrived at 3pm at the next lock, Mericourt, and with the green light on, we entered, with 2 huge peniches already there. It was a nightmare, there was no room, the peniches were running their engines creating a lot of backwash and GG was being thrown about everywhere. The doors started closing behind us and we weren’t even close to being secure. The French Lock-keepers in these huge commercial locks should be shot for this, they don’t give a damn whether you are secure or not. The closest thing we could get hold of was a ladder and I secured a bow line through this with the water already gushing through and the level rising rapidly. There we no bollards close to Jim so the stern remained loose and Jim had to control the boat using the engines to keep her steady, with me moving the bow rope up the ladder as the water level came up. Unbelievable! The 2 peniches left the lock followed by us, thank god, in one piece.
Thanksfully L’Illon is just around the other side of the lock and we were secure and tied up on a pontoon by 4pm. Needless to say we were both distraught and needed beaucoup du vin!
We will stay here for 2-3 nights to calm ourselves down, and then head further on towards Paris, slowly.
L’Illon is 49’01’.66N 001’37’.71E and we have travelled 1052 NM up to this point..
We set off at 11am this morning heading for L’Illon. We originally had planned to go to Vernon with a view to visiting Claude Monets House, but the Capitainerie in Les Andelys didn’t recommend us stopping there as he said security was a bit of an issue.
The morning was a bit overcast but still warm and we arrived at the next lock, Notre Dame De La Garenne, at 12 noon. Same style of lock as Amfreville, but not quite as big, we were the only boat in the chamber and had a bit of an easier lock through this time, than Amfreville, although still not easy.
12.30pm saw us through the chamber and out and we continued on, passed Vernon (which looked absolutely beautiful and we did have second thoughts about stopping there, but the thought of something happening to the boat, made us move on).
We arrived at 3pm at the next lock, Mericourt, and with the green light on, we entered, with 2 huge peniches already there. It was a nightmare, there was no room, the peniches were running their engines creating a lot of backwash and GG was being thrown about everywhere. The doors started closing behind us and we weren’t even close to being secure. The French Lock-keepers in these huge commercial locks should be shot for this, they don’t give a damn whether you are secure or not. The closest thing we could get hold of was a ladder and I secured a bow line through this with the water already gushing through and the level rising rapidly. There we no bollards close to Jim so the stern remained loose and Jim had to control the boat using the engines to keep her steady, with me moving the bow rope up the ladder as the water level came up. Unbelievable! The 2 peniches left the lock followed by us, thank god, in one piece.
Thanksfully L’Illon is just around the other side of the lock and we were secure and tied up on a pontoon by 4pm. Needless to say we were both distraught and needed beaucoup du vin!
We will stay here for 2-3 nights to calm ourselves down, and then head further on towards Paris, slowly.
L’Illon is 49’01’.66N 001’37’.71E and we have travelled 1052 NM up to this point..
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