Alger Lock to Sillery

29 kms, 9 locks, 5.25 hours

Not the most exciting day, well, compared to yesterday, but then not much can compete with towing a 300 ton barge 1 km.

The most exciting thing was right at the beginning of the day.  When we set off soon after 8.00 we discovered that the next lock, a mere 1 km away, did not have a twisty pole to activate the lock.  We had stopped between 2 locks that are linked, so as you pass the first one the second one is automatically activated.  So we had passed through one linked lock, stopped overnight, confused the computer system, and next morning we were stuck at an automatic lock with no way to activate it..  I called the Central on the VHF, could hardly hear the reply because of all the static, but understood “OK”.  15 minutes later a VNF van drove up, the driver jumped out, rushed into the lock keeper’s hut, pressed a few buttons and hey presto – we were in business.

An early start

We noticed a few tall, narrow, old houses

My goodness, a pleasure cruiser, just the second one we have seen this year

Approaching Riems the canoe club was active

Duicklings!

After a sunny start, it clouded over and at 11.30 it started to rain.  Just light drizzle really, but it continued till late afternoon, sometimes heavy but mostly not.  But it was wet, wet, wet. It always seemed to intensify in the locks (of course), and did not stop till evening.

The very modern and impressive Congretional Centre in Reims

Reims marina - looking rather deserted at this time of year

Ummm - a house boat

A lovely park runs alongside the canal through Reims

Tulips at one of the locks

An old lock keeper's cottage, still very much lived in

The canal through Reims really is very attractive

Once tied up at the marina in Sillery we went to the Intermarche supermarket, which is close by, to stock up on some essentials and I did a load of laundry at their funny outdoor laundromat, which consists of 2 washing machines and a dryer in a car park.  Must take a pic tomorrow!

This is a pay marina and the Capitainerie opened at 16.00 so we went to pay our dues: €12 per night including water, electricity and showers.