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One boat (but no dog) on the way to Meaux
Tuesday 08 September
Left Paris by 11 a.m. and soon on the Marrrrrrrrrrne on our way to Meaux and Epernay. Didnt make quite as good progress as we wanted to because of delays at locks and spent the night at Lagny sur Marne instead of Meaux which was lovely and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset there. Left first thing Wednesday morning as two more full days to get to Epernay and managed to find a mooring at a small place called Nanteuil sur Marne for that night but no water or electricity. Arrived at Societe Nautique d'Epernay at 4.45 p.m. Perfect spot just by champagne house - but saw small lock entrance to canal lateral a la Marne - our next stage - on the way in and Matt & Hev hoping that we will not start on this leg before they leave us on Sunday morning.
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Feel I should blog as won't be here for much longer :(. Had a lovely couple of days making our way to Epernay. We were sad to leave Paris but the weather was so lovely it was a good excuse to spend the day on the boat and get some sunbathing in (when we weren't leaping up to do the locks.) We've negotiated two tunnels and two canals, which have been a bit exciting as they're quite shallow, cue lots of beeping from Sequel's alarms. Lovely evening on the back of the boat in Lagny Sur Marne and another meal on the boat last night in a little mooring surrounded by vineyards. The locks are getting easier: yay! In the last two days we have managed to get through 14: so we like to think we're pros now. Fran can't decide if we're going to become all muscley and strong or just develop chronic back pain from all the pulling, we'll have to see about that. Very pleased to have arrived in Epernay and can't wait to get stuck into some champagne!
Friday 11 September
Still investigating possibility of going further down canals but looking unlikely - so have spent afternoon in Castellane Champagne House doing a tour and tasting their champagne and have a bottle in fridge for tonight.
Not quite as exciting as the previous blog..... Still sounds lovely thou, managed to have some brie for lunch today and with the sunshining, we pretended we were with you, it lasted a brief moment! The next entry will certainly be interesting to see how the narrow part and with only half the crew turns out! Safe journey home M&H xxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThe afternoon in a champagne house sounds like my kind of fun, but if I was having to work the locks not so good. I am sure that Fran & Bruce are going to miss their crew who appear to have worked and played hard. I am sure they will miss their adventure and life back in the UK will feel very mundane. Fran just to let you know Pat Taylor has broken a bone in her leg whilst on holiday in France. Take care and keep safe.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, Hope all still going well, despite your crew having to return to uk. Very envious of the champagne district, wonder if you will leave the area or if there is any left to buy!
ReplyDeleteHad a fab time in Venice, too short and kept imagining sequel motering up the Grand Canal!
Spent yesterday outside on the green helping with the charity bike ride day, fun but exhausting and now it is back to reality, the washing machine is on and Andy has gone back to work. Lots love Sue x
I am on the other side of the blog! Very strange. Back to reality with a bump as I'm getting ready to travel up to Derby this avo. Everyone in the office is very excited and happy about our news!! Looking forward to the next installment of the blog to see if you had to go back to Meaux to take Sequel out. We looked out for cranes and dockyards on our way back to Paris on the train, but unfortunately couldn't see any. :( Hope Sequel isn't too quiet without us, at least you'll have more croissants/booze/water etc! Looking forward to hearing your next post! x
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