Namur and across Belgium.

We thought this could work along the waterfront in Auckland… powered by the drinkers sitting at the bar.!!!!

So finally leave Namur along The Sambre. The canal into France was finished in 1835, mainly to transport coal as Charleroi had become Paris’s main supply. With the closure of the coal mines in 1960’s, the boat yards disappeared but Charleroi still shows the signs of the collapsed heavy industry. It’s a sad and depressing sight as its one we don’t really ever get to see.

After that we headed on down towards the amazing Strepy-Thieu funicular boat-lift. First we went past what was to everybody in 2002, a futuristic flood control gate leading to the vertical lift.

The Strepy-Thieu was built on The New Centre Canal, built in response to EU requirements that canals here take vessels up to 1350tons.(The existing canal only takes up to 300 tons.)   This amazing  structure is 117m high, and working in unison drops/raises two large transport tanks, 112m x 12m each, suspended by huge counterweights made of 1000tons of concrete. The drop is 73m.

You can see the lock gate at the top where we entered the tank. It was a very smooth ride at 20cm a second.

Absolutely incredible. The the huge gates open at the bottom and out you go, 73 m down stream.

Finally arrive in Valenciennes and catch up again with David & Mel.(Perth, and Namur) and meet their friends Roger & Margaret,(Welsh) and 2 Americans for a great drinking BBQ night on the quai.

Melanie just getting rid of a few empties!!!;

Found out the lock 3 down was closing for 7 days to replace a lock gate, so off we go ,,onward and southward to PARIS.

ARRH but a 5km tunnel in the way.  Again another amazing thing that has a 1km passing area in the middle of it, and huge ventilation fans.

And finally moored up after a lovely clear run on the Canal D Nord.

Music, Max’s beer and experimenting with the new drink of the year,,,,,,,,,,,      Margartia’s!!!!!!

Its been a long day.