Barging on ANJA

There has been a huge quantity of commercial traffic on the river. Because of the long stretch of fantastic weather (which we brought from Australia- 20 straight days of sun in a row) they have been emptying the silos of grain.

The first day, we were following a push-pull pair of barges. One 39metres and the other 38 metres. They were lashed together end to end. We were following them and fortunately were able to fit in behind on the way to Joigny as the first locks are longer than normal but we would not have fitted with them in some of the later locks.

We made the trip from Joigny to Sens in the company of a large (48x5.2metre) grain barge which was going to Antwerp. The arrangement was that we would be the first boat into each lock, moving as far forward as possible then the peniche would squeeze behind. This wenbt well at first in the straight sided locks. Then we came to the sloping sided locks where we could not come as far forward. At this stage, the large boat decided to come alongside us. All very well when the lock is full of water, but weith the sloping sides, as the water drains out, the boats move closer and closer together. The first time we were quite anxious as the lock keeper started the water draining and then went into his house! All went well but there was only 40cm between the boats once the water had drained out. We discussed it with the other skipper and he agreed we should go out first each time. Very agreeable to us as we did not want to be squashed!

We were the only boat in beautiful Sens when we arrived on Jeudi Saint (Easter Thursday) but there is now a couple from Holland and a charter boat.

We will remain a few days to unwind and complete more of the chores. These including cleaning away dust from the all the cutting that David had to do in the bathroom- using a diamond saw to get through the tiles, timber etc.

Below you will see another peniche sharing the lock plus the quay at Sens where we are comfortably tied up. It is in the centre of town.

Happy Easter everyone,

Dave and Penny