(#13) Adventures on the Canal de Robine
Upon coming up to the first lock on this side trip we discover the locks ahead are manually operated. Well we had to operate the controls to open and close the lock gates meaning one person had to be on shore prior to the boat entering the lock. Sometimes the lock was ready for our entry with the gates other times we had to complete the entire process.
Since the set of locks were less than a KM apart I rode one of the bikes ahead and made certain we moved ahead as smooth as possible. After about 4 or 5 locks we decided to stake the boat and have dinner. As we sat across from the houses lining the canal we noted, once again, the lack of any indication of life until almost sunset when locals strolled along the opposite bank. A beautiful sunset, again, a wondrous relaxing dinner, again, and jovial evening prior to beginning the contortions of bedding down for the night. The next day Luigi took over the biking and shore duties for operating the locks. Everything went tickety boo until we had to cross a river running at about 45 degrees out the canal. Unbeknownst to and Luigi was there was no crossing for vehicles or people, only the train, over the river & canal convergence so Luigi ends up following the river as we are faced with different situation. The last we heard from Luigi was "meet you at the next lock" as he rode off into the distance.
Luigi waiting open the lock for us
the operational box is the white thing in the back as Luigi heads off
As we come into the river we are faced with a small, but not easily identifiable waterfall off the port bow as well as a set of buoys running down the centre of the canal slightly to the starboard of us. Unable to make out any markings on the buoys we drifted in the direction we felt was best towards the buoys. We astutely reconnoitred that the now more visible waterfall and section of canal permeate with water plants were areas to steer clear of. The next lock, now defunct, was on a bend in the canal giving an almost non existent view up traffic coming towards us. Fortunately we passed through the the 'lock area and pulled into shore to wait for Luigi who had taken his phone with him. When he did not show up and a reconnoitring of the area proved fruitless we called and miraculously determined his whereabouts. Long story short, Luigi pedalled a long way and met us at our destination in Narbonne when we finally arrived a couple of hours later. Then he shared the handheld videos he took on the bike while hurtling down the roadways using any surface he could to stay upright. I think some PNE rides are less frightening to experience.
Entering Narbonne we encounter a lock process not fully explained in our operation manuals. At past locks, if one red light is showing that indicates the lock is not in operation and ready to accept traffic from either direction so into the lock we go as the gates were open to us and attempt to close them to start the process of moving onward. Try as we may all different combinations of button pushing no luck but there is an emergency call button which puts us in touch with a mobile lock keeper. There was some button by some sign giving instructions on the particular operation of said lock. The lock keeper showed up an made some snide comments that we must have had a long cocktail hour since we didn't understand the meaning of a red light. A bit of the evil eye from most of the crew changed his external attitude at least and we sailed on our way. Mooring a few minutes later in the middle of town and we set out on a brief exploration of the surrounds after hooking up for power and water. Another delightful meal on the top deck with many locals observing us from many of the canal side cafes.
our view in the evening
a local grocery store
canal side café
some dude's bust
the café again
late night view of Narbonne
The next day was a laundry day and we found a laundromat close to our location where our route took us through the market building, something like Granville Island. Our experience at the laundromat was a series of learning curves. First, our attempt to enter the premises must have looked like something from the Marx Brothers or Laurel and Hardy. We decipher that you must push a button to unlock the door do push away on the button and pull on the door to open outwards with no luck. Each one of us, myself, John & Luigi, make numerous attempts when an Aussie hops off his bike pushes the button and pushes in on the door. Have you ever seen three people get through an opening at once with large bags, oh for someone else to video the entertainment. Then there was a panel with numbers and lights with a slot for money, so first find a machine not in use and coordinate the fee on the list with the buttons. Sound easy, not so if you turn away to confirm the machine info and someone else starts dropping their money in and pushes there machine button first. All of a sudden you get 15 minutes of a wash instead of 60. Our luck held as it was the Aussie who dropped in money for us to make up for the error. I returned to finally put the wash into dryers waiting for a couple of machines to be free and get drawn into a one sided conversation that I will just say that the gist was that France should have blown up Algiers in the 60's, France was a terrible place to live now, all politicians were idiots and the fellow was going to head to Northern France and choose a better place to live etc. etc. This conversation was mostly in French with smatterings of English which made comprehension even that more difficult. I finally made my escape but not until he followed me out to the street and became more invigorated leaving me with the visual effect of a rabid dog foaming at the mouth as he spouted off that Putin should be shot down while in the air.
Once again I return, to pick up the dried clothes and this time no ambush or surprises, so it's in and out faster than I ever imagined possible. We have lunch along the canal and notice a free bus running every 10 minutes so we decide to take it and get a little idea of the city. It turns out we got on the run when the drivers were to change which turned our 10 minutes into 30 minutes. We had some pretty interesting travel companions who became quite animated and vocal when the bus driver left leaving the bus turned off and the doors remained shut in the sweltering heat. We got out before returning to our original starting point and viewed a magnificent church even though it had not been completed. When we exited the church at a different door we found ourselves looking at a section of ancient Roman roadway. Roman ruins where part of the overall reason the church was not finished. Then in the heat of the day we found or way back to the boat and waited for the cooler evening breeze. Ya, cooler at about 31º C.
Some the unfinished section of the church
An art installation outside the church, great way to have someone tie your shoe laces, if you can get up
Part of a Roman road
Inside the finished part of the church, look up, look waaaay up
a map of the Roman road showing that it went through Sisteron, a place we were 10 years ago
Setting sail for our departure is the next post. Stay tuned for more interesting times.
Since the set of locks were less than a KM apart I rode one of the bikes ahead and made certain we moved ahead as smooth as possible. After about 4 or 5 locks we decided to stake the boat and have dinner. As we sat across from the houses lining the canal we noted, once again, the lack of any indication of life until almost sunset when locals strolled along the opposite bank. A beautiful sunset, again, a wondrous relaxing dinner, again, and jovial evening prior to beginning the contortions of bedding down for the night. The next day Luigi took over the biking and shore duties for operating the locks. Everything went tickety boo until we had to cross a river running at about 45 degrees out the canal. Unbeknownst to and Luigi was there was no crossing for vehicles or people, only the train, over the river & canal convergence so Luigi ends up following the river as we are faced with different situation. The last we heard from Luigi was "meet you at the next lock" as he rode off into the distance.
Luigi waiting open the lock for us
the operational box is the white thing in the back as Luigi heads off
As we come into the river we are faced with a small, but not easily identifiable waterfall off the port bow as well as a set of buoys running down the centre of the canal slightly to the starboard of us. Unable to make out any markings on the buoys we drifted in the direction we felt was best towards the buoys. We astutely reconnoitred that the now more visible waterfall and section of canal permeate with water plants were areas to steer clear of. The next lock, now defunct, was on a bend in the canal giving an almost non existent view up traffic coming towards us. Fortunately we passed through the the 'lock area and pulled into shore to wait for Luigi who had taken his phone with him. When he did not show up and a reconnoitring of the area proved fruitless we called and miraculously determined his whereabouts. Long story short, Luigi pedalled a long way and met us at our destination in Narbonne when we finally arrived a couple of hours later. Then he shared the handheld videos he took on the bike while hurtling down the roadways using any surface he could to stay upright. I think some PNE rides are less frightening to experience.
Entering Narbonne we encounter a lock process not fully explained in our operation manuals. At past locks, if one red light is showing that indicates the lock is not in operation and ready to accept traffic from either direction so into the lock we go as the gates were open to us and attempt to close them to start the process of moving onward. Try as we may all different combinations of button pushing no luck but there is an emergency call button which puts us in touch with a mobile lock keeper. There was some button by some sign giving instructions on the particular operation of said lock. The lock keeper showed up an made some snide comments that we must have had a long cocktail hour since we didn't understand the meaning of a red light. A bit of the evil eye from most of the crew changed his external attitude at least and we sailed on our way. Mooring a few minutes later in the middle of town and we set out on a brief exploration of the surrounds after hooking up for power and water. Another delightful meal on the top deck with many locals observing us from many of the canal side cafes.
our view in the evening
canal side café
some dude's bust
the café again
late night view of Narbonne
The next day was a laundry day and we found a laundromat close to our location where our route took us through the market building, something like Granville Island. Our experience at the laundromat was a series of learning curves. First, our attempt to enter the premises must have looked like something from the Marx Brothers or Laurel and Hardy. We decipher that you must push a button to unlock the door do push away on the button and pull on the door to open outwards with no luck. Each one of us, myself, John & Luigi, make numerous attempts when an Aussie hops off his bike pushes the button and pushes in on the door. Have you ever seen three people get through an opening at once with large bags, oh for someone else to video the entertainment. Then there was a panel with numbers and lights with a slot for money, so first find a machine not in use and coordinate the fee on the list with the buttons. Sound easy, not so if you turn away to confirm the machine info and someone else starts dropping their money in and pushes there machine button first. All of a sudden you get 15 minutes of a wash instead of 60. Our luck held as it was the Aussie who dropped in money for us to make up for the error. I returned to finally put the wash into dryers waiting for a couple of machines to be free and get drawn into a one sided conversation that I will just say that the gist was that France should have blown up Algiers in the 60's, France was a terrible place to live now, all politicians were idiots and the fellow was going to head to Northern France and choose a better place to live etc. etc. This conversation was mostly in French with smatterings of English which made comprehension even that more difficult. I finally made my escape but not until he followed me out to the street and became more invigorated leaving me with the visual effect of a rabid dog foaming at the mouth as he spouted off that Putin should be shot down while in the air.
Once again I return, to pick up the dried clothes and this time no ambush or surprises, so it's in and out faster than I ever imagined possible. We have lunch along the canal and notice a free bus running every 10 minutes so we decide to take it and get a little idea of the city. It turns out we got on the run when the drivers were to change which turned our 10 minutes into 30 minutes. We had some pretty interesting travel companions who became quite animated and vocal when the bus driver left leaving the bus turned off and the doors remained shut in the sweltering heat. We got out before returning to our original starting point and viewed a magnificent church even though it had not been completed. When we exited the church at a different door we found ourselves looking at a section of ancient Roman roadway. Roman ruins where part of the overall reason the church was not finished. Then in the heat of the day we found or way back to the boat and waited for the cooler evening breeze. Ya, cooler at about 31º C.
Some the unfinished section of the church
An art installation outside the church, great way to have someone tie your shoe laces, if you can get up
Part of a Roman road
Inside the finished part of the church, look up, look waaaay up
a map of the Roman road showing that it went through Sisteron, a place we were 10 years ago
An evening shot by the canal
Setting sail for our departure is the next post. Stay tuned for more interesting times.
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