To Chalon-sur-Saone and back – 11th to 17th October 2016
Part 4 – And return to St Jean-de-Losne
There was a beautiful full moon over Chalon-sur-Saone on our last evening there. It was slightly sad as next day we would head back up the River Saone to St Jean-de-Losne and that would be the end of our cruising for this year.
Next morning, Sunday, was very foggy for our return trip. But with our GPS and Maps Me programme we managed okay as we could just make out the kilometre post markings on the river banks. After an hour or so, the fog lifted and it was a beautiful autumn day on the River Saone.
Seurre on the River Saone
We over-nighted at Seurre and were the only boat at the finger jetty. Being Sunday the Capitainerie was closed, so we had no access to the ablutions or wifi, though we did have shore power.
Seurre is another very pretty little town, but with absolutely nothing happening! As the French say: ‘Rien a faire!’ Nothing doing.
Late that afternoon there was some excitement though. We saw the local fire brigade and rescue services out on the quay and in a rubber duck, seemingly trying to catch a swan! Turned out this poor swan had got a fish hook stuck in it’s beak, and they were trying to help. The swan was having none of it, but after about half an hour they managed to net it and take it to the local vet. All was well as the swan was returned to the river an hour or so later.
Most of the village inhabitants seemed to have come out to see the chase, which I guess must have been the most exciting thing to have happened here for ages!
Next morning, before we left I saw the Capitainerie was open. It was manned by a most unfriendly women who insisted I pay 16 Euro for the pleasure of staying there, even though we had had no ablutions or wifi.
What a difference a lockie can make!
There were only 2 locks between Chalon and St Jean. They are both almost identical in size and construction, with a similar rise of just over 3 metres.
In the first, Ecuelle, we had an extremely rough and bumpy ascent with poor old Shangri La surging backwards and forwards as the water rushed in. In the second, Seurre, the ride was smooth with hardly any motion at all! The first lockie must have been either a novice, or just otherwise, and did not open the paddles in the correct way.
Anyway, we arrived back at our regular mooring at H2O i n St Jean-de-Losne at about midday on Monday.
Next couple of days spent cleaning, packing away and organizing the wintering of Shangri La. This year we opted to leave her in the water for the winter.
Thursday evening, we did the final pack up and put the winter covers on, before overnighting in a B and B, and then making the arduous train trips back to UK on Friday.
Now – to plan for 2017!
To get Karen’s perspective on our travels, have a look at her blog here.
Bon voyage!
Thanks Patrick
Always love hearing about your travels – like going on a mini-holiday. Hope Shangri-La is not too freezing.
xx Mo
Glad you enjoy it!