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Grehan

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  • Boat Name
    Grehan
  • Boat Location
    France

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  1. Yes I agree, a well-produced introduction. I learnt something - the pronunciation of Winding Hole, which I thought was related to winding the boat around, not being blown by the wind. A couple of things surprised me though. Firstly, the number of times people pulled directly on a line, instead of taking a turn. Secondly, the use of some knots, which in my book are plain wrong. Clove hitch on a bollard? If the tie tightens up or an emergency happens, it's going to be difficult or slow to untie. The tugboat hitch is a better solution and what professional boatmen use. That, or use a bowline and take the rest of the line back to the boat and cleat off there.
  2. Canals and rivers in France have been seriously affected by high rainfall resulting in swollen waterways, strong currents and flooding in recent weeks. Conditions are exceptionally unusual for this time of year. Avignon, on the Rhone, saw further problems this weekend when two barges (lighters, I think) broke free from their moorings, hitting one of the seven river cruise ships moored up whilst navigation is closed and hitting the TGV railway bridge. More info - http://www.french-waterways.com/58486/ On the River Yonne (roughly, south-east of Paris) a British pèniche appears to have got holed and has sank. The 70/71 year old owners are ok.
  3. VNF rates have been updated for 2013 on french-waterways.com - http://www.french-waterways.com/vnf-guide.html There has also been a recent concession, extending the 10% 'early bird' discount until April 30th and limiting the rise for an annual licence ('vignette') Qualifications and regulations information can be found here - http://www.french-waterways.com/practicalities/regulations.html Safety equipment - http://www.french-waterways.com/practicalities/boat-equipment.html
  4. Thanks - that was excellent. Actually, what struck me was the sheer quantity of commercials on the Heuilly then. There aren't so many now, still a few that help to keep the canal depth maintained. No hire boats yet though. Of course, all the ecluses are now mechanised, so no winding. For a cruising guide to the 2013 Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne ("that's mad, Ted") - french-waterways.com/marne-saone.html
  5. I've never seen a regulation requiring a specific number of crew; I suspect there might be something somewhere that relates to larger craft (say over 20m). There are plenty of single-handers on the canals. Handling a boat safely and comfortably in a lock boils down to common sense, basic seamanship, preparation and a certain amount of learning from experience. Bigger locks (e.g on the Rhone) can be a lot easier than smaller ones and, of course, nearly every lock has some difference or another - this just makes life interesting and enjoyable! __ french-waterways.com __
  6. We went across from Ramsgate to Calais 'in company' with Chris and NB Progress for the Dunkerque Evacuation commemorations in 2000. Conditions were basically flat calm. Progress went through the slight swell like a U-boat, no noticeable rise or fall, just straight through.
  7. You can find a good selection of books, guides and pilots for the waterways of France here - French Waterways books I can also really recommend Hugh McKnight's "Inland Waterways of France" - an excellent and very readable descriptive guide to every canal and navigable river.
  8. Because the Midi locks are a bit smaller than full-size Freycinet gauge and because consequently the Midi sees no commercial traffic any more (apart from hotel barges) it is extremely unlikely that the Fonserannes slope will ever be re-opened. We berth near Montech (on the Canal de Garonne) (that used to be called the Canal lateral à la Garonne) and the water slope/inclined plane/whatever has been closed for years now. In spite of the repeated 'news' that the big electric engines are to be repaired it is also extremely unlikely that this will happen sometime soon. There is no commercial traffic (a couple of hotel barges, plus one trip boat) to justify the considerable expenditure. There is, however, a 'plan' to encourage more commercial activity between Bordeaux and Toulouse, but don't hold your breath. "Grehan" French Waterways Information
  9. Living aboard on the French rivers and canals is not only possible, it's absolutely delightful !! For a complete guide to doing it - see www.french-waterways.com Grehan River Lot, Aquitaine, France
  10. Waterlines - Grehan's guide to the French waterways www.tagweb.co.uk A comprehensive guide to the rivers and canals. Cruising logbooks, journeys and journals (blogs). Reference information. Recommendations. Books and websites.
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