Rethel > Reims

1st July

We spent 5 really relaxing days in Rethal, . A very pretty spot with of course the compulsory Cathedral and boulangerie.. Had a walk with Dave and Joanna to sus out the train station as they were going back to Charleville-Mezieres to pick up their Motorhome and come back to Rethel before they head of to Calais. They arrived back a couple of hours later. That evening we all went over to Chris and Paulas barge for a few drinks and dinner. Met up with Fergie and Audrey who also have a barge. Fergie was dressed up in tie and jacket and French beret. Very eccentric. A great night.

Today sorting out this French dongle and trying to easily drop the canopy as we have a few low bridges to go under. Think we have come up the answer. Had Chris and Paula over this evening for a reciprical BBQ and of course a few drinks. Chris has now become my electrical mentor and sorted out a few electrical issues. Also he has sorted out an issue we had with water in the bilge. It was coming in through the prop shaft. Now with Chris’s expertise, not a problem after spending a day and a half pumping and sponging water out of the bilge. It appears at the moment that every person who owns a Canal cruiser has an electrical degree. Anyway all is good and we are looking to exit Rethel very soon. Had a morning at the local Rethel market. 2 pairs of shorts later. A relaxing day before heading south.

 

 

7th July set off for Reims.

Said goodbye to Chris and Paula. Hopefully meet them again down the line.

And what we think are nice quiet canals…suddenly a commercial barge heads our way,..
seen,….closer,…..close,…gone !!!!!
BUT

we also collected a bit of the local vegetation  !!!!!!
Heading for Asfeld on our way to Reims. Only 20K so a short motor. Arrived at Asfeld but not much of a place. Moored next to a couple of Dutch boats and between 2 small boats they had 4 dogs… sick . Only 4 locks today. Cycled into Asfeld village and had a look around. Pretty quiet. Passed a baroque church built in 1683. Forgot the camera.
8th July. Set out for Giugnicourt. Weather stared out awful but cleared as we went.Found Guignicourt and had to moor right next to a construction site and we were the only boat there. Only 2 locks today and the scenery was quite spooky. Some parts of the Canal were so narrow that if we met one coming the other way I don’t know what I could have done.
9th July. Headed out  for Loivre and turned from the Canal Lateral A Laisne and onto the Canalde L’Aisne a la Marne. Now the locks go up and not down. Managed to get stuck before a broken lock so that delayed us an hour. Arrived in Loirve and moored next to a


silo, but the other side of the Canal was beautiful. Had the compulsory cycle around the village. But being Monday nothing open, however couldn’t even find a shop. On the boat having champagne and olives. Our new staple diet. Once again have not passed many boats on the Canals. Maybe they know something we don’t.
Now a slow motor into

Reims.

Arrived in Reims about 11am and moored on a free mooring. Right on a main road. However the road noise doesn’t worry me as little villages have no noise so its a welcome change.. Only the odd barking dog.
This city has a real history. 80% destroyed in First world war,  Ceasar presided over a meeting of delegates from Gaulish towns, 25 Kings of France have been crowned here,from Pious in 816 to Charles X in 1825,  has the ‘Gate of Mars’, the largest Roman Arch in the world. The Notre Dame Cathedral in the mail square is a 13 century masterpeice of Gothic art with 2300 statues. The photos can’t really explain.