11th - 17th July. Upstream to Abbeville, where Martin and Jenny joined us, then up the canal de la Somme to the Chateau de Long, Samara, Amiens, Corbie, Chipilly, Cappy and back to Peronne. A busy week!

The station at Abbeville is an impressive building. Martin and Jenny joined us here.

We visited the Chateau de Long, where we had a guided tour of the ground floor. Our guide was the current owner, who has lived there for 15 years, and she was most enthusiastic, having done much of the renovation herself. It was all very impressive.

This deer and fawn was my favourite statue in the extensive gardens.

Inside one greenhouse there was a tropical collection of exotic plants, but it was rather too warm for comfort!

We moved on to Samara, where this Bronze age village is a part of the prehistoric park in the Somme valley. Here archaeology was brought to life, with fire lighting shown, using a flint to strike marcasite to make a spark. Hunting and the many uses of the hides obtained are all demonstrated at this fascinating place, which celebrates 600,000 years of prehistory in the Somme region.

Shannon decided that if she were not allowed to go on outings with us, then she would impress us by being a living statue!

Carrying on into Amiens this view, as we approach on the river, gives the best view of the cathedral.

The Notre Dame Cathedral of Amiens is enormous, being twice the size of Notre-Dame de Paris, and is the largest Gothic edifice ever built. It is interesting that the two main towers are different to each other. We really enjoyed our visit here. 

The detail on the front facade is amazing, having been carved originally in 1475.

At that time all the figures were in colour, and this fantastic evening light show brought it back to the way it was then, with high-definition digital images. Sorry about the dark, but it is after 11pm!

For part of the show, a cloud effect covered the top part of the facade, making us all feel giddy!

Never mind posing for a photo, Shannon is watching the show!

As a real contrast, this skyscraper was built after 1945 and is said to be the first one built in France.

Andy and I saw this concert in front of the Town Hall, while Martin and Jenny enjoyed visiting the Jules Verne house. This is a lovely city.

Next morning we went up Amiens lock, with Martin crewing for the deepest lock on the Somme. Well, he is a sailor after all!

We were allowed to see inside the command centre for the whole of the River Somme, which was fascinating. Every boat on the system has its own named marker, which is moved as the boat moves.

Stopping on the top town mooring, we eventually found the base for the punt-like boats known as barque à cornet, for a trip round The Hortillonnages. Do not make the error which we nearly did, and think that it is the small trip boat operating on the main canal, which is just a water bus.
 

The punt takes us on a magical tour through the small canals of this large area of market gardens, as well as decorative gardens, all aiming to win the July competition for the best waterfront.

Our last visit in Amiens was across the river to see the medieval waterside district of St Leu.

Moving on to Corbie, Jenny had a burst of energy and leapt up the climbing frame in the park!

In Corbie, once again there is a splendid town hall, with the flags by the war memorial. We enjoyed a good meal at the restaurant, La Table d'Agathe.

On Saturday morning we visited this statue at Chipilly. It represents an English soldier supporting his wounded horse, and is a very moving memorial.

The weather continues to improve and Jenny too proves her nautical skills, showing great concentration.

At Cappy we played boules again, with Martin throwing the winning boule.

Back to Peronne, where the mooring was busier than when we were here last.

On the way into town this flower bed represents the memorial flowers of both England and France, poppies and cornflowers. No doubt this is to commemorate the centenary of The Battle of the Somme.

The Historial de la Grande Guerre is to be found in Peronne castle, and made an interesting finish to a memorable week. Jenny and Martin leave us tomorrow.

1st - 6th July. From Peronne down the river Somme to Abbeville, then on to St. Valery at the seaside

We sailed on to Peronne, where Hotelboat Elodie arrived while we were in town. Today is the 100 year commemoration of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, but it is very quiet in town. The barge which is passing us is a double Freycinet length one, so it is very long.

On board Elodie are a cycling group of 16 New Zealanders, who spent the evening playing petanque. The girls won!

The Somme is running quite fast, but here at Cappy we have found it flowing through a pretty park, as we are in a lock cut nearby.

The sun is out and perhaps summer is here at last.

The Somme is a lovely river, with many meanders. Let us hope that no-one is coming!

Just before Amiens, there is a section where these special gardens and small properties can only be reached across these arched bridges. Each garden has its own bridge, and each one is different.

This mill village reminds us of the village of Saltaire in Yorkshire.

Henson horses are an indigenous breed in this region.

At Samara we walked up behind the centre to Camp Cesar, which was a Roman encampment. We have not visited the battlefields of the Somme, but these wheat fields are like those in that area, and are a reminder of that terrible time.

We shared several locks with Dennis on Lutécia. As our television was not working at Abbeyville, he kindly invited us aboard to watch the Wales/ Portugal match of Euro 16.

Alongside the canal, the river Somme divides into many channels and lakes, created by the original peat workings.

Above Pont- Remy lock the water is calm as we approach the lock across the top of the weir. Last night the water was storming through this section, making the passage look impossible, but when a boat is using the lock, they just close off the weir!

We reached Abbeyville on Wednesday, and were glad to find some room on the jetty.

Abbeville was a much bigger town than we were expecting, and was an attractive place. The square church behind the square is St. Vulfram Collegiate church. It looks very short, but this is deceptive, as it is a very tall church.

The front facade of St Vulfram church is really impressive.

From Abbeyville the Somme goes quite straight for 13 kilometres and, as The Puzzler is low enough, we do not need the bridges to be opened for us.

In St Valery there is not a great deal of mooring available, but Chantel and Claude kindly invited us alongside their boat, Peridot. Next morning a boat left, so there was then room for us on the jetty.