5 locks, 11 kms

Just over 2kms to the outskirts of the fabulous Dole and the first lock onto the River; le Doubs.

The Rhone au Rhin alternates now between sections of canal and sections of river – quite stunning it is too. Although we’re missing out on all the towns and bridges being covered in flowers, as we’re doing it so late in the year, we do have the benefit of the autumn foliage and virtually no traffic – just the odd hire boat from Dole.

Having been deeply disappointed that we couldn’t moor the boat in Dole itself – due to extremely low water levels – we were provided with an unexpected mooring at our 2nd lock of the day. As we approached the lock only the right hand gate opened and although we can fit through one gate it wasn’t a lot of good to us as, unless the lock completes a full cycle, it wouldn’t operate. VNF were soon onto it and in we went. The trouble was that it wouldn’t shut behind us either, so they asked us to reverse out and moor up whilst VNF re-enforcements were called. An excellent mooring for us within strolling distance of the city and I, rather selfishly, hoped that it might take a day or two to fix.

It became apparent that there was something stopping the left gate from closing fully so I wandered off with the camera, and found a rather special canoe slalom below the historic walls. My request to G to help me get the kayak off of the roof fell on deaf ears.

I returned to the lock fully expecting to find VNF men buried in paperwork, grappling hooks and harnesses. None of that, they were happily fishing for the mysterious blockage with nary a life jacket between them! Judging by the ensuing grunts and language it was something quite heavy and, had it come away suddenly, there was only one way the men were going to go – into the water backwards! Crazy!!!!!!!

All these heroics were to no avail, so it was decided to bring MR up and use her as a platform – somewhat to my relief as she would at least provide a safer platform. You wouldn’t think that a stone this size could stop a 4 ton gate; but it can.

Drama over and we were on our way

There will be loads of pics of Dole from our day out there, but this post is about our cruise through and we exited the city through a lock, back onto a canal section, under glorious Plane trees before following the corridor through an ‘open’ flood lock or stop gate back onto the river

our mooring for the night was just outside the village on a little ‘rise and fall’ pontoon below a cliff face that was lined by river huts with decorated gardens and artist studios

An absolutely glorious day