Navigation Stop

There is nothing quite like a solid wall of steel to put a stop to your cruise plans.

The stop planks are in place at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne lock.

We have cruised to Villeneuve-sur-Yonne to see what all the fuss is about. The lock here was declared unsafe earlier this summer and closed to all navigation effectively cutting off the route north to Paris by water. New gates are due to be fitted in October. In the meantime massive steel planks hold back the water.
 

Joigny seen from our favourite mooring spot

Having made it along the Nivernais canal with no trouble, we have time in hand to explore the river Yonne as far down as we can navigate before wrapping up Antiope for the winter back at Migennes. 

A warm still evening at Joigny

The river is strangely quiet, finding handy moorings is no problem 

Auxerre and Joigny became our bases for a week or two, cruising out and back while we had guests aboard.

Old town house Joigny

13th century Northern gate house into Joigny

Built on a hillside, Joigny looks down over the Yonne valley

 

Above the town vineyards stretch out over the limestone hills

It was the 24th August 75 years ago that Joigny was liberated from the Nazis. The occasion was marked with ceremony. A parade, a fly-past, fireworks and a free dance in the market hall.

The mayor reads a tribute to the liberators of his town

The fly-past, by the local aero club

    

Vintage but not quite wartime planes.

Clamacy raft parade

Along the Nivernais canal is the charming town of Clamacy, It was here that the annual raft parade coincided with our stop.

We were somewhat concerned in the morning when an exited group arrived in a hurry alongside us on the dock and started to unload what looked like a grand piano strapped to a raft. To our amazement it floated and was paddled away by four dinner suited crew blowing confetti at the crowds.

What is it? It will surely capsize

 

Will it float?

 The crew paddle past us to join the parade.

 

A fully elevating piano and a confetti blowing double base.

A very crowded lock and the first rain in months

At least the water was warm.

   We were in Clamacy a month ago now, but I have only just found time to download these pics.

                                                            Cheers Charles and Annie