Villeneuve-sur-Yonne to Joigny

18 kms, 3 locks, 3.75 hours

Up early, bright sunny day, not too cold (6^oC), we left at 8.00 having made an arrangement with the lock keeper to be there at 9.00.  We approached the lock a few minutes early and the gates were closed so I called the lock keeper, a very jovial chap, who said the lock would be prepared in 5 minutes, which it was.  We cruised on in, tied up at the floating pontoons (two of them), and I saw a notice saying lock service starts at 9.15.  Oh, so PC Navigo has it wrong – they say 8.00!

Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, a fascinating historic town well worth a visit

We did have to wait till 9.15, and the lockie walked around to chat to us.  He apologised profusely saying the rules are set by the administration and not his choice.  He also told us the people of France hate the EU and want a Frexit! Interesting chat.

It was a lovely sunny day again but there was also a brisk NE breeze just like yesterday.  In the sun it was quite warm, in the wind/shade it was really quite cold.

A well marked shoal, keep to the left of the markers

Pretty gardens at the first lock

A village church

A very old factory

An even older church on the top of a hill

Waiting for a boat coming downstream

At the second lock we had to wait while a boat from upstream entered the lock, veeeery slooowly.  It was a charter boat and seeing there is a boat hire company not far away they were probably just finding out what the controls do.

The third lock was prepared for us (same lock keeper as the2nd lock) and all ran smoothly, but we were amused to have the winning hand this time when we noticed two boats waiting for us to exit before they could go downstream.

We're feeling spoilt - we have a pontoon each

These locks fill with a great deal of turbulence, as we discovered a couple of days ago, but then I was way to busy to take any photos!  You do not want to be at the front of the lock when going upstream

The hastily posted notice at each lock giving the new opening hours!

Two boats waiting to enter the lock

Elle

Approaching Joigny from the west

Tied up at a free mooring, no services, but close to the commercial area with a Lidl, Intermarche, Bricomarche, and so much more

Last year on May 10^th we met up with the Cullens in Joigny, and here we are again a year later, and this is where we will part company in 2 days’ time.  Shaun and Lynn will peel off to the East and attempt the Canal de Bourgogne (water levels permitting) while we continue south to the Nivernais  Canal.