Bissieul to Dormans

37 kms, 6 locks

I don’t really know where to start.  After a couple of hectic days today was so restful.  It’s almost like I have nothing to write about!  But of course I do. We are on the Marne in champagne country after all. 

We had a late start, we only left Bisseuil at 10.00, not really sure of where we would stop.  It was a glorious day:  sunny and warm, with a light following breeze.

Vineyards!

The Moet et Chandon vineyard

There are even small pockets of vines between the houses.

 At Cumieres there is a series of metal sculptures alongside the canal depicting the vine growing and wine making process 

On the Marne some of the locks have sloping walls with a floating pontoon.

The Marne River

The pontoon at Port a Binson.  Great spot to stop and close to a village

We stopped at Port a Binson, after 26 kms, at 14.00 because we thought there was a free pontoon with electricity and water.  The pontoon is free and in very good condition but the electricity was disconnected.  So we decided to continue to the next halte nautique 10 kms downstream at Dormans.

A peacock!

At places the vines come right down to the canal side

The pontoon at Dormans.

This is not a free stop, it costs €3.00 for a boat under 10m and 5.00 for a boat over 10m – per day.  Electricity and water are extra ( Elec €3/day, water 4/day).  We decided we didn't need electricity after all.  Ian wants to do some kind of test on his new battery installation for which he needs to be connected to electricity but he wasn't quite ready.