Tesserae 2015

Saturday 1^st August

We did more sightseeing and shopping yesterday. D bought an electronic insect thwacker and L a sundress in a shocking shade of pink. Getting off the rocky mooring this morning was easier than expected. D took off all the ropes, pins and spacers then lifted the gangplank and we gently drifted off the bank. We travelled 18.5km (no locks) to Gigney where the marina is in a disused lock. We arrived in time for lunch but the restaurant at the lock was fully booked for lunch and dinner. On our afternoon walk we visited the local campsite where we stayed in 2006.

D's thwacker

The old lock at Gigney

Sunday 2^nd August

We woke up to thick fog this morning, we could not see the opposite bank and decided to delay our start, as we did not want to bump into a large hotel boat or commercial barge. As the fog cleared we saw several small fishing boats sitting in the middle of the river, obviously they were not bothered about not being visible to larger vessels. After an hour or so the fog had cleared enough for a cruiser to leave the lock a couple more boats followed and we tag on behind, as we do not want to miss the lock, 4km downstream. Once in the lock we had to wait about 15 minutes for 3 more boats to arrive and then another 15 minutes for the last boat to tie up before the lock keeper closed the gates. There was unhappy mutterings from some of the boats kept waiting. As we left the lock some boats wanted to make up for lost time. It was a bit like the start of a grand prix except for a large commercial barge waiting to come into the lock, something Lewis Hamilton does not have to face. We only travel 11km, to Tournus a town that used to be a regular stopover for us in our camping days.

Fog starting to clear

Fishermen in the fog

Waiting at the lock

Hot lips

Leaving the lock

The race for the lead

Tournus

Tuesday 4^th August

After 2 nights at Tournus we leave early for Macon to meet up with Richard and Julia on Ettie who have travelled north from the Canal du Midi. We arrive 11.15 and there is space on the town quay behind Ettie. We go out to lunch and catch up with all the news. Richard and Julia give us very useful information about travelling down the Rhone and along to the Canal du Midi. In the evening have drinks on Ettie and open a couple of bottles of fizz to celebrate the meeting of the 2 Piper boats.

Moored with Ettie at Macon

Drinks on board Ettie

Macon at night

Views of Macon

A collection of hotel boats

Friday 7^th August

Ettie left on Wednesday to continue her journey north. We spent a couple of more days in Macon and are spending tonight at Belleville before going on to Lyon.

Leaving Macon

Belleville

Saturday 8^th August

We set off before 07:30 this morning as high winds were forecast this afternoon. We were blown into the Confluence marina Lyon by the first strong gust just after one o’clock. The weather has changed from too hot to cool, wet and windy. We were looking forward to using the air conditioning but with the temperature dropping to 18c there is no need (we will use the dishwasher instead). We have four nights in Lyon before we go down the mighty Rhone!