Waiting at Pagny sur Meuse

A lovely rural mooring at ecluse 19 on the Marne au Rhin Canal night of 28th then off bright and early to get the first lock ordered for 9am to continue our way up the "staircase". Lock 16 our dear friends from Luxembourg, Josée and Armand came to meet us to spend the day with us. We met them and their gorgeous daughters 5 years ago on the Canal de Bourgogne and have stayed in touch ever since.
Up to the top , Foug tunnel of 868mt long, then a long stretch of 11km until our lock heading onto Canal de l'est. However not that simple...... Canal de l'est has been shut for maintenance this past month and reopens after the 30th April, but 1st May is a national holiday here so actually we can go nowhere until 2nd May. So here we all sit waiting for the canal to open at Pagny sur Meuse, small village with not much happening.
Had a lovely day together with Josée and Armand catching upon all the news.
Josée, Armand and Knud sitting in the wheelhouse

Commercial freighter also waiting for canal to open. He is bringing a load of sand to Belgium to make crystal . He was moored 5mt out from side of canal because of poor depth, not much room to pass!!

Leaving Toul

Today we made our way around Toul and begin the flight of locks going up towards the junction of the Canal de l'est and Canal de la Marne au Rhin. As I mentioned in an earlier blog Toul is surround by fortifications, we actually cruise through these as we skirt around Toul. So trusty "tablet" was at hand to record the event.
. St Etienne Cathedral seen from Moselle River

. in the moat going around Toul , also known as the canal de la Marne au Thin ( ouest)

First Week on the Move

The week has wizzed past since our departure from Epinal. A lovely cruise down the Vosges Canal, very little boating traffic. A 2 night stop at one of our favourite rural mooring, this gave us a chance to cycle into Nancy along the lovely new canal path on the recently opened branch Canal to Nancy. Then it was onto the Moselle River. A wonderful afternoon spent with Renate and Reinhard who made the drive across to visit us from Saverne. We met Renate and Reinhard 2 years ago when they filmed us going down the plan Incline (this is the video on YouTube)
Toul is where we are moored presently, been doing a few maintenance jobs, shopping etc.
Toul is an amazing town, has been here for many centuries ( already a bishopric by 4C AD) In 1700 Vauban built ramparts around the city and fortifications were improved regularly, by the time of the First World War Toul was considered one of the best defended strongholds in Europe. Cathedral St Etienne dominates the sky line from a distance (a fabulous example of flamboyant Gothic) . Many of you have heard me rave on about the public floral displays here in France , well Toul has not disappointed me ,flowers are stunning.
Toul floral displays

Toul floral displays

Renate, Reinhard and Knud enjoying aperos on the quay

Vauban's fortifications, Toul

great gates, must be from the" school of twiddley bits"

Voyage Begun

After a very busy 5 days with getting Linquenda ship shape we set off cruising Easter Sunday 20th April. Perfect weather to cruise gentle sun, no wind ( day before it was cold 7°& breezy) Nomexy first night stop, then last night a rural setting just after ecluse 34. Spring is certainly here, fresh green leaves springing out, and the sound of birds twittering & tweeting constant. Such a lovely sound.
Tonight we have another rural stop, our last on the Canal Des Vosges before we go down to the Moselle River tomorrow, & then onto Toul.
first nights mooring at Nomexy

below recluse 34 Canal Des Vosges

Being Organized

There is a lot to be said about being organized, however it does help if you can remember what you have done.
Leaving Linquenda last September I very carefully put the key to the boat in the inside pocket of my handbag and then promptly forgot about it. 7months passed, lots happening, lots of travelling, until last Friday a matter of hours before we were to leave and Knud asked me where the key was. Then one of those horrible moments, shit where were they? Frantically started searching, turned the house upside down, no luck. After a few hours decided that we should put plan B into action so emailed friends in port and arranged for our spare key that had been left with the capataine to be left at the restaurant in the port.
As we approached Paris thought I should change over currencies in my purse , to my amazement what should I find in the Euro purse but the key to Linquenda. What a logical place to put it!!! pity I didn't remember it.
Been beautiful and sunny but rather a chilly wind, this morning even had ice on the boat ( where water had pooled after washing tarps yesterday) Busy getting Linquenda ' ship shape' before planned departure next Sunday.
Have a new French phone number + 33 614 98 39 62
Have been having all sorts of problems with this new blog, hopefully this one will publish.

The Key & its hiding place.

Quilts in Melbourne

A frantic last few hours in Albury then onto the Vic Rail's unique train that is really a bus. A relaxing weekend at 'Hotel Mayo' ahead......
Saturday Lyn & I headed to the Quilt Convention , bliss. So much inspiration, so much to pat and stroke. Saturday night the movies and dinner with Lyn,David Pam, Kerry and Tony, great night. Sunday we caught up with Richard Rodd, wonderful to see him with his positive attitude and sense of humour intact.
So now about to say our farewells,thanks for a lovely relaxing weekend and head to the airport.

testing again

testing the new blog set up. Wonder if I can attach a photo?