Melun to Moret-sur-Loing

Right, what did we do yesterday?

30 kms, 2 locks

We left Melun early, at 8.20.  The sun was shining and the breeze was from behind so it was a very pleasant cruise along the majestic River Seine. 

The 11th century church at Melun

Melun

Thommery (I think)

Really? A scuba diver? There were two of them

We only had 2 locks to negotiate but were held up at both of them waiting for commercial traffic.  At the first lock we had to wait for a barge.  We were already entering the lock when we heard a barge call the lock keeper on the radio and I heard him say, I will wait for you. Then he came down from his control today and explained that there would be a short delay while we waited for the commercial.  These locks are long (185m) and wide (16m) so there was plenty of room for both of us, side by side.

At the second lock, we had to wait for a commercial to enter the lock from the opposite side.  By the time he exited a big “triple trouble” (a pusher with 2 dumb barges in front of it), going in the same direction as us, had arrived and was also waiting.  Again we were able to tie to the lock wall alongside the barge.  This is much better than being behind where you at the mercy of their propeller wash.

Plenty of action

In the lock with the "triple trouble", looking forward...

...and here's the rest of it.

We had been keeping track of the Cullen’s boat Elle on Boat Beacon.  They were heading north on the Canal de Loing and we were heading south west.  We planned to meet at Moret-sur-Loing. 

A screen shot from Marine Traffic, Njord is purple icon at the top and Elle is the purple icon at the bottom.

4.5 hours after leaving Melun we turned off the Seine into the Loing River and soon afterwards we arrived at the Port de Plaisance at Moret.  

The narrow Loin River

Saint Mammées

A floating dry dock

The marina.  €10/day incl water and electricity for us and €13.50 for Elle (12.25m)

Lynn and Shaun were there to take our lines.  It is a small marina and is now choc-a-block full with 5 boats.  We have paid for 2 nights but would like to stay for 4 because there is some really bad weather coming on Wednesday and Thursday.