contentedsouls

5 locks, 14 km

Finally our luck broke and we ‘pulled trees’ in the rain. Whilst it didn’t dampen our spirits it did, I’m afraid, take the edge off of the photos as we continued on upstream. Through the first lock and immediately on our right was the ‘mooring’ which was our plan ‘B’ had we not managed to squeeze onto the pontoon the previous night! The water was about 6 inches deep against the pontoon and had no steps up the bank; just the canoe launching ramp (which was much steeper and higher than it looks). It was marked as a mooring in our map book!         

The sun occasionally made an attempt at gracing us with it’s presence, but it was not to be.

Most of the locks have these weirs down the Doubs. The French call them barrage, but the problem is that there aren’t any barriers. We’re on an extremely low river going upstream; just imagine a bit of water running downstream and there is no way to spot these until you’re virtually on them. Gives me the willies if I think about it too long.

Here’s our right turn through the lock and up into the cut for our mooring for the night and the Thoraise tunnel.

G managed to get the car and a bit of a soaking before the rain increased and set in for the rest of the day and night, although Daisy still insisted on going out. Then we heard a kerfuffle waterside and Daisy shouting very loudly for some help. She’d gone in waterside and, for some reason, decided she needed a hand to get out – G scooped her up – usually she swims down to the back and climbs up the button. Meanwhile Muttley tried to hide in the hope that no-one would spot him and make him go out in the rain – he’s getting nearly as bad as Baxter.

The morning started misty but quickly cleared from the valley as I walked the dogs. Immediately ahead of us was the Thoraise tunnel which is described in our map book as, “an interactive happening mixing light and water. At each end of the tunnel your passage is blocked by an attractive waterfall. To stop the first one all you need to do is activate your control unit.” I was really excited but, sadly, it was not to be – I guess it was out of season and not a drop of water was to be seen apart from the stuff we were floating on. We did have a little light show but it was disappointing.

It all looked so much prettier without the rain