26 kms, 6
locks, 1 swing bridge, 4 hours
After a
quick run to the supermarket for bread, milk and fresh veg, we left
Tours-sur-Marne at 10.00.
It was
delightful to be on a new waterway with new sights to see.
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| We were very impressed by the the locks which are kept in tip top condition and are built with pleasure craft in mind |
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| We passed a number of pleasure craft today, this one was Swiss |
14 kms later the Canal Lateral a la Marne
converged with the River Marne and we were out onto a fast flowing river - the
current was running at about 2 kms in our favour.
There are no
twisty poles on this river and at the first lock on the Marne, Cumieres, I had
to call on the radio for service. Mr
Lock Keeper was ever so friendly. Once
inside the lock and tied up he came out to chat and gave us a telecommande to
operate the following locks, plus some additional information. The locks on this stretch have sloping sides
with a floating pontoon and the poles to operate the lock are on the pontoon,
couldn’t be easier.
We marvelled
at the vineyards planted into such steep hillsides and pitied the poor workers
tending the vines.
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Artful sculptures alongside the riverbanks at Culmieres tell the story of the grape harvest
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| A swan nesting |
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| A chateau of one of the champagne barons |
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| Vineyards cover the hillsides alongside the river valley |
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| Only after I took the photo did I realise this is the Moet et Chandon vineyard |
We were so
impressed that every village seems to have a pontoon just big enough for 3 or 4
small pleasure craft (not barges) with water and electricity, all free. We have stopped at a tiny village, Reuil,
which has umpteen “wineries” but no bakery or grocery store. We are in champagne country after all!
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| Njord tied up to the pontoon alongside a picnic area |
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| A street in the village |
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