Bourg et Comin to Courcy

33 kms, 10 locks

We intended going all the way to Sillery today, seeing the lock system proved so quick and easy yesterday.  We wanted to leave about 7.00 but woke to thick, thick fog, minus 1 C and a deck slippery with frost. 

There is a canal in there somewhere

It didn’t seem a good idea after all.  But at 7.50 as the fog was clearing we left the mooring, it might still be possible.

On the Canal Lateral a l'Aisne

Our thermometer at about 9.00

The first 20 kms were on the Canal Lateral a l’Aisne.  We were expecting it to be a wider and busier canal than the Canal de L’Oise a L’Aisne but it was just as lovely and the only barge we saw was Orca, again, still moving slowly and going in our direction.  Once again we had friendly communication and we passed on by.

We handed our much appreciated telecommande in at the Berry Lock on the Canal Lateral a L’Aisne and asked if we needed one for the Canal de l’Aisne a la Marne, No Mr Lock keeper replied, there are poles you must turn.  Ah yes, we have read about these poles.

The rather quaint lock at Berry au Bac

This is what makes the lock work - hydraulics

The turn off to the Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne

As we approached the first lock the light was read and as soon as I turned the pole, which hangs over the canal, an orange light started flashing, then we got the grenn/red combination as the lock emptied and when the lock gates opened we got green only and in we went. So no different really from the telecommande system.

The sign warning that you are nearing the pole

The pole hanging over the canal 

At the second lock we discovered that there was another slow moving barge ahead of us and at the next lock we had to wait a long time for Cindy to be processed through.  

Waiting for Cindy to exit the lock

We realised we had not much hope of making Sillery today so stopped at the top of Lock Alger where there is a pleasant spot with bollards, trees, picnic tables and water.  

Port public above Lock Alger

But no internet signal so after 45 minutes we decided to go on further to Courcy which is 8 km and another 5 locks away, and just 10 km short of Reims.  At the second lock we caught up with Cindy again.  It is rather frustrating sitting waiting for a much slower barge to move through the locks ahead of you but there is not much option so just grin and bear it – it’s all part of the waterways world.

We were struck by the enormous fields...

...and the colour of the water

At 15.00 we tied up at a lovely little “port public” near the town of Courcy.  

The delightful Port Public above Lock Courcy

Free water,but you can't connect a hose

 Again it has trees, picnic tables, bollards, free water, and this time limited internet coverage.   It is going to be cold again tonight, we’ll miss the free electricity!
Just after we stopped this beautiful yacht came by, pity it took me so long to grab the camera.