tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91391623229923497742012-01-09T18:42:29.518ZCanal du Nord to the Mediterranean In June 05, we left our mooring on the Norfolk Broads heading for the sunnier climate of the French canals. We made our north sea crossing from Harwich to Nieuwpoort in Belgium, a final chance to fill up with red diesel before entering France, and entered the canal system in Dunkirk. This is our account of travelling through France along with information for others who may do a similar trip that, no guide books seem to mention. Enjoy, I know we have!Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.comBlogger111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-23352903876822059362012-01-09T18:41:00.001Z2012-01-09T18:42:29.527Z

We have now decided to sell our SeaRay which has been a fantastic boat for us to see the French Canals.  Currently moored at Lattes in south west France near to Montpellier, the mooring is also available (which are like gold dust!)  The mooring is on a floating pontoon inside a secure 'locked' marina which is fresh water - but it is only a short trip to the Med.  Montpellier airport is just a 10

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-84285599669092328702010-09-30T09:43:00.011+01:002010-09-30T10:18:39.397+01:00

Sunday 12th June 2005  Left Port Peronne at 9.30am  to be in the first lock of the day at 10.00am.  We knew from the Navicarte books that on Sundays the locks were open for shorter hours and closed at 6.00pm.   It was another lovely day although the wind was still chilly, in total we travelled  47km,  which included 7 locks and the 'Souterrain de Pannetene' tunnel which was 1.05km long, and

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-55081703867892806712010-09-29T10:26:00.007+01:002010-09-29T11:03:30.249+01:00

Port Peronne  Saturday 11th June 2005 One thing we have found already is the lack of overnight mooring spots. Even if you have your own rhond anchors onboard, the shape of the canal sides make it very difficult to get on and off the boat when you have moored up. To be fair most of the traffic we have come across so far has been commercial barges, we have seen very few pleasure craft so

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-60956542159230472372010-05-26T14:08:00.067+01:002010-09-29T10:35:26.587+01:00

Friday 10th June 2005 The alarm went off at 6.30am this morning, I thought we were on holiday!!! We were just waking up when we heard the first barge start its engine - Karl jumped out of bed, I've never seen him move so quick. A man on one of the barges 'Odysseus' waved us into the lock in front of him, and as it happens we stayed with this barge going through the locks and tunnel for the

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-51369684340915075512010-05-26T13:54:00.023+01:002010-07-21T11:34:23.450+01:00

Guilotine Locks Thursday 9th June 2005 Barge Waiting Quay Left St Omer early to get a good run today. We went through some several deep locks (upwards) the deepest was around 13 metres, although with floating bollards you just tie up and go up with them - no problem! It is a bit earie until you get used to them, as you pass under the big guillotine doors the smelly water drips on you and

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-89467172547446835872010-05-22T15:13:00.016+01:002010-07-21T10:44:02.218+01:00

It soon became apparent that our school french was possibly not going to be quite enough to get us through our trip and that a few 'new words' might be in order. I have listed the ones that we have found useful and, just in case there is anyone who has even less of a repertoire than us, a few others too. I'll continue to add to this list as I think of 'useful' words whilst continuing with this

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-86617480376048563302010-05-20T21:19:00.012+01:002010-07-21T11:32:07.266+01:00

Veurne Market French Boarder Wednesday 8th June We made an earlier start this morning as we are going to make for St Omer in France today. First though we had a trip to the local market which was held in the large central market place. The fresh strawberries really scented the air so we bought some of those for later. The market was a typical mix of fruit and vegetable, clothes, hardware and

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-55736951968194274372010-05-16T10:30:00.015+01:002010-07-21T11:30:31.330+01:00

Tuesday 7th June 2005 After borrowing the bikes again to stock up on groceries for our trip, we left the marina just after 3pm to refuel. Belgium is one of the few places where you can still buy red diesel for boats and the savings are well worth it, so we topped right up as we don't know exactly where the next fuel point will be, but we do know for sure it will be the more expensive white

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-345146629981018152010-05-16T10:04:00.013+01:002010-07-21T11:29:12.704+01:00

Monday 6th June 2005 Nieuwpoort is a small fishing harbour on the North Sea coast, and is well-known for its shrimps. The city is made up of two distinct parts, the old city centre and its market place and fishing harbour, and the coastal town which is being developed for tourism by the beach. Nieuwpoort has one of the largest harbour and marina facilities for sailing yachts and pleasure craft

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-3334795154294634432010-05-15T17:35:00.012+01:002010-07-21T11:26:18.480+01:00

Sunday 5th June 2005 After checking the weather forecast we decided that we should leave for Belgium today, or it is very likely we will be weather bound until much later in the week. It is a lovely clear day with a bit of breeze, probably around a force 4, so we checked with the Harbour Master who agreed we could lock out of the marina around 12.15pm The first three hours of our trip were ok

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139162322992349774.post-53179800021122671092010-05-14T21:14:00.012+01:002010-07-21T11:24:56.230+01:00

Friday 3rd June 2005 Wiluna - our mooring in Horning, Norfolk Broads After months of planning, today is the day, we are off! Our boat, a Searay 370 Sundancer with twin Mercruiser 220hp engines has been serviced and equipped with everything we could possibly need (and more) for our trip. My husband who already holds his ‘Yacht Master Offshore’ certificate now has his ‘International

Strawbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15479490171256504134noreply@blogger.com0