Down the other side

                 From Epinal we descend another 32 locks before joining the Moselle river.
                                   All the water from here on ends up in the Rhine.

The Vosges canal runs alongside the young Moselle river for many miles

We even cross over the Moselle on an aquaduct at Flavigny

The Moselle river gathers volume and becomes a serious waterway

 capable of handling the huge Rhine Barges

These monsters have right of way, 110 m long by 12 m wide,

 and are capable of carrying 2500 tonnes

We pass Toul with its magnificent cathedral overlooking the river. Construction started in the 13th century and took 200 years to complete.

Toul Cathedral

We arrive in Nancy 8 days after leaving Corre, A fast passage but unavoidable as my crew David needed to get back to work.

   

'Art Nouveau'  Nancy

At the beginning of the 20th century, Nancy became the French capital of 'Art Nouveau'

Market day in Nancy, Saturday morning 

       Antiope safely alongside in  the 'Bassin St George' Nancy, and paintwork still intact

It's that time of year

   

A new adventure begins

10 am on May 6th and the boat trailer moves in to take Antiope back to her natural element.

 

It is a great relief to see Antiope afloat once more

The following morning we get underway along the Vosges canal, heading towards Epinal 

on the climb to the summit we have 46 locks to manage.

Once out of the marina and on to the Vosges canal we head past the township of Corre

The Vosges canal was completed in 1884 linking the Moselle and Soane rivers,

David, a sailing mate from way back, now living in France, drove across the country to help.

On the summit laevel, an overnight stop at the village of  les Forges

We descend through 14 locks to Epinal 

Antiope, is clearly happy to back afloat, next port of call, Nancy.

Ready for re launching

The boatyard and marina at Corre is run by a Swiss couple Doris and Jean-Pierre  'Fluvial loisirs' They are most helpful and quite happy for me to work away on my own in their boat park.
After hours of grinding, filling and fairing, the topsides almost look like new again.

                                  

                           With the aid of the anchor winch the fender rope is carefully refitted

                                        Antiope is finally ready for another season of cruising.