Cambrai to Les Rues des Vignes, 9th April

15.6kms, 10 locks, 4 hours 15 mins

Rather misty today.  We considered staying till tomorrow so we could get water (only available on Tuesdays and Fridays out of season) but decided to push on and hoped to get water at one of the locks. We left at 10.00 and had to wait for 2 barges to clear the first lock before we could get into the “system”.  Once in line with all the other barges those coming up behind are unlikely to catch up, we all move at much the same speed. 

A rather odd barge with no deck house, must be chilly 

We travelled behind him for 6 locks till he stopped 

How to store firewood - first you have to grow the trees

After noon we started to meet barges coming towards us who must have come through the Riqueval Tunnel in the morning convoy.  There were 6 of them, less than expected.

Many of the barges are operated by couples, and many of the wives man the foredeck - I wouldn't want to get into a fight with any of them

Lock number 9, Crevecourt, is manned and you have to hand over your old telecommande and pick up a new one, plus supply your details (boat name, owner’s name and address) for the Riqueval Tunnel.  And it has water.  We have not been able to fill up since we left Diksmuide 2 weeks ago with 210 litres.  We have been on strict rations for the last few days!

When I called the lock keeper, I told him we needed water so he opened the second lock for us while barges continued to use the main one, and when we got to the top we tied up and he brought the hose to the boat and told us to come inside when the tanks are full to do the paperwork for the tunnel. 

You may not traverse this tunnel under your own power.  You have to form up in convoy twice a day (9.30 am and 17.00 pm), connected together with 2 x 30m warps, and an electric tug tows you all through.  It takes about 2 hours to traverse the 5670m tunnel.  When we did this 2 years ago we were the only boat and it was a breeze.  This time we expect to be the last in the queue with many barges ahead of us.  A rather daunting prospect.  We are booked to go through on Wednesday afternoon.

Our new telecommande

Still grey and misty

We have stopped in a tiny village called Les Rues des Vignes (the Streets of Vines).  It  has a Mairie (Village Hall) and a church, I didn’t see one single shop. 

A bicycle made of wood