Reuil to Chateau Thierry

39kms, 3 locks

After topping up with water (free) we were on our way at 9.50.  It was quite chilly last night and only 11C when we set off, breezy too.  We had no idea where we would stop this afternoon.  Our aim as we go downstream with a 2 knot current (taking our cruising speed to 10 kms/hr) is to check out all the possible stopping places, making notes, so we can make more stops when we come slowly back upstream against the current.

Surprisingly, after seeing no commercial barges yesterday, 3 passed us this morning and we saw a fourth moored up.

Again we marvelled at the vast acres of vineyards but after Dormans they seemed to disappear and nature returned.  Also, the number of villages with free pontoons with water and electricity (like we stopped at last nights) are fewer and further between.

The Marne is a big wide majestic river.  Locks 1 to 3 are in cuts, with sloping  walls and a floating pontoon, but after that the locks are on the main river against the right or left bank with a weir alongside.  Where the river is wide this does not cause any problems, but I have read accounts of difficult conditions further downstream.  We will see.

Photos from the day:

Sometimes the vineyards come all the way down to the banks op the river

Approaching Chateau Thierry

The pontoon we stopped at in Chateau Thierry

Eventually, 4 hours and 39 km after departure, we have stopped at a large town, Chateau Thierry.  No services unless you pay.  Good thing we don’t need them but at €5/night that is not exhorbitant.  We don’t particularly like big towns, they just don’t feel safe, but the next stop is another 13 or 16 or kms away, too much for one day.