15th - 23rd July. Back to the Canal des Vosges, then the River Moselle to Toul, where our French friends from Mussey joined us. We continued on to the Canal de La Meuse to Commercy.

Having rejoined the Canal des Vosges, we locked down with two other craft, a yacht and a cruiser. It worked very well, with the faster yacht going ahead between locks, to set the next lock, then The Puzzler going in first each time.

Early morning reflections along the Vosges.

Once out on to the Moselle, we have to beware of commercial barges. Yes, that is all one huge boat!

This brown butterfly came to see me.

Our friends from Mussey joined us in Toul, and Blandine was immediately useful in the galley (La cuisine d'un bateau!)

Meanwhile, Bernard was steering The Puzzler.

Next it was Blandine's turn. She too steered very well.

Evelyne is making sure that she knows where to go.

We stopped at Pagny, alongside Barling, another narrowboat. Deux cigars Anglais!

Paul and Pia came over to France six weeks ago, and are enjoying their continental adventure.

Pétanque was our game for the weekend, with Andy and Blandine against Bernard, Evelyne and Sally.

Soon it was out with the champagne for an aperitif!

Time for le petit déjeuner.

We are here at the second lock going down towards the Meuse. Around this lock beside the cement factory all the stonework, as well as the grass, is quite white with cement dust!

Sally, Shannon and Evelyne are relaxing in the front. (merci à Bernard)

There was no room for us at the main mooring at Commercy, so we went back past Aldi to moor here. It was a good place for pétanque, and, sadly, Andy and Blandine won again! Nous sommes désolés!

Shannon did not know what to make of Evelyne's nightshirt and bonnet, never mind the pantalons!

We were sorry to say au revoir to our French friends, but hope to see them in England next year. It has been another good weekend!

23rd - 31st July 2017. From Nancy via the Moselle to Toul, then on to Pargny-sur-Meuse.

Sailing on out of Nancy, the skyscraper tower would have struggled to get planning permission in England!

Further out of town, the French really make use of the hillside, giving these houses a splendid view.

The Moselle brings commercial barges alongside The Puzzler.

This is a huge river.

The Château de la Flie lies on the outside of the meander around the town of Liverdun. We visited Liverdun last autumn, when we passed this way.

This castle is bigger than it looks at first!

Mooring above Aingeray lock, on the Moselle, we are very close to the railway line, which added to the interest of the area. Here though, the line is protected by a high wire fence, and a notice telling us the penalty for trespassing is either six months in jail, or a fine of 3,500 euros. We decided it was not worth it!

We shared Aingeray Lock with this commercial barge, Taro. His car, too, has the number plate Taro. On leaving the lock he was very considerate, only using his front thrusters to move the barge, until he was well away from us. A barge propellor in use, close to The Puzzler, would give us a very rough ride!

This fortified gateway was built at the same time as the canal, thus adding to the town fortifications.

St Etienne cathedral was built between the 13th and 16th centuries, and is dominated by its octagonal towers, which are 66 metres high.

This piggie waterspout was to be found in the cathedral cloisters.

The other large church in Toul is Saint-Genoult, which also has an interesting tower.

The gardens of this church lie within its cloisters, and are very tranquil.

As we leave Toul, having moored below the marina this time, our flowers are still in good heart.

Having gone up the flight of 12 locks from Toul, we moored on the island just before the tunnel. Our half of it was soft moss underfoot, with rough grass on the rest of the island. We thought that Shannon would enjoy the freedom there, but she stayed on the boat all the time, unless we insisted that she come out. There seemed to be no reason for this.

The mooring at Pargny-sur-Meuse is very pleasant. This is normally a busy place, but not today.

The only view of the church in Pargny-sur-Meuse is from the other side of the village, from the canal, as it closely surrounded by houses.

Inside, it is much simpler than the large churches in Toul, but is very peaceful.

On the walls are many carved reliefs of the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.

22nd - 30th June 2017. Along the river Moselle from Toul, then up the Embranchement to join the Marne au Rhin canal(est). On via Crévic, and Parroy to the 15 metre lock at Réchicourt.

Leaving Toul, we turned to the right on to the River Moselle. There are not many locks on this stretch, but this one has a rise of 7 metres.

This lock makes those on the Marne au Rhin canal look very small!

We moored immediately above the lock, to be joined overnight by barge Luma.













As Luma passed us, these next two photos were taken, just one second apart, to try and show the sheer size of a 2600 capacity commercial barge, compared to The Puzzler.

From the Moselle, we turned off up the Embranchement de Nancy. The first four locks are very close together, so it was a bonus walk for Shannon.

We found a pleasant bankside mooring, with shade from trees on both sides.

Shannon and I both had a snooze!

At the junction with the Marne au Rhin (est) we went to the left, for an overdue trip to the supermarket. We seem to be going shopping once a fortnight. The flowers are doing better than ever.

From Crévic we made an early start, aiming to reach our first lock at 9am. However, barge Modicum crept up behind us, so he went past. Then, just as we approached the lock, a Dutch barge arrived, so again we moved down the queue! Pam and John, from New Zealand, joined us again in the lock.

At Parroy this purple sky warned us of the thunderstorm to come.

All the flowers came in for their safety. They do not like thunderstorms!

On our second night at Parroy the mooring was quite full, with 10 boats there. The capitaine said that it was the most boats there for two years.

We joined the Germans from five other boats for pancakes and drinks, but sadly we were rained off.

This kingfisher watched us pass by. You should have had your camera here, Matt!

Shannon enjoys finding the shade
under the flowers.

There were five hungry cats at Rechicourt lock 7.

Approaching the big lock at Rechicourt, it looks bigger than ever. This lock was built to replace six of the old locks.

We are sharing with a German cruiser, using the middle rope on to the floating bollard. We were right at the front of the lock last time, and it was much gentler there.

At the stern, it is very rough water, as the paddles let the water in from underneath the boat, pushing the stern out.

Normally, when going up a lock, the rough water is at the front.

Mooring above the lock, we need the plank to get to the shore. Every time the lock is filled up, The Puzzler tilts to the right for a while, as we are sitting on the bottom. This pound is very long though, so we are soon level again