14th - 20th August. A visit to the caves of Osselle, then on to Rochefort-sur-Nenon and Dole, for a concert by Orchestre Bavarois.

This mooring beyond Thoraise tunnel is popular. Bluegum joined us there on our second night, and we spent a pleasant evening with Charles and Sally.

La Grotte d'Osselle, (cave of Osselle) is well worth a visit. This was a tourist attraction as long ago as 1504, but it now goes 1300 metres into the ground. The stalagmites have developed in different colours, depending on which rock was dripping above each one.

In places there are few stalactites, as this is where the river ran underground, through this passageway. There were about 30 people in our group, but we passed another, of over 50 people. One group stands well back, to allow the others to pass, on the narrow walkway. We were told not to push them into the stream! As if we would!

Some of the stalagmites are real works of art.

After Ranchot, the canal runs parallel to, but above the River Doubs, between two of the locks.

There are many herons to be seen along this waterway. We have also seen several kingfishers, which are slightly larger than those in England, but are still, usually, just a flash of colour.

Carrying on, we are again approaching Rochefort-sur-Nenon.

Frankie is visiting Shannon, but she is not so sure about him!

We are not allowed to moor along this avenue of ancient plane trees, because of the risk of falling branches. Looking up, there are ropes tied between many of the branches, to prevent this from happening.

On into Dole again. This is our favourite town on the Doubs.

This is the last Thursday concert of the summer, in the park. We arrived nearly an hour before the starting time, and only just managed to find good seats near the top of the tiered seating. There was seating for about 500 people, while the extra 100 had to stand.

The Orchestre Bavarois were performing tonight, and were very good indeed, with a varied selection of rousing Bavarian songs. We did not know all the words, but managed to link arms with our neighbours, and “lean left, lean right, lean forward, lean back, stand up, sit down, lean left, lean right”! Everyone had a good time!

11th - 13th August. On past Deluz and Chaleze to Besançon, then on to Thoraise.

Beyond Laissey, the cliffs still dominate the right bank of the Doubs.

At Deluz, it is an attractive mooring for cruisers, but we are too long for these jetties.

On the canal section before Chaleze, we found some superb blackberries. However it was quite shallow here, so Sally was dropped off to pick them, while Andy skilfully manoeuvred The Puzzler in the narrow channel!

Back on the river, the reflections get better and better.

As the hot weather has returned, we are under the trees again, but with cows for company this time.

Approaching Besançon , we will take a sharp left turn after the bridge ahead, to go underneath the citadel!

This tunnel is a useful short cut, to avoid the large meander of the Doubs around Besançon .

At the far end of it is lock 50, which leads back on to the Doubs. Once through the lock we turn a sharp right to moor at this end of town, on the free jetty. Today is “see the town” day, as we visited the citadel last time.

In Besançon there are many fine buildings. This one used to have a fountain in front of it, but not any more.

Eglise Saint-Pierre was built between 1782 and 1786, although the first church on this site was built in the 4th century. It is very dark inside. Its high steeple served as a bell tower for the town hall.

This Roman arch is nearly 2000 years old, being built in 175 AD in honour of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor at that time. It now leads through to Saint-Jean Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral the stained glass is very impressive, and creates a much lighter feel to this building.

Leaving Besancon, we have a long afternoon sailing with 14 kilometres and 5 locks to reach the tunnel of Thoraise, mooring just beyond it. The waterfall over the entrance does stop for us to go in, and there are light effects right through the tunnel.