Off to Nancy

It was a lovely autumn day as we left St Symphorien on the 13^th October and after waiting for the eclusier to set ecluse #75 for us we entered the Saone at about 10.30am. We were on our way to Nancy where we will spend the winter.

We followed the original river course in a northerly direction and every now and then we entered a deviation to get past a shallow section or where there were rapids in the river. The banks were generally rich farming country and the quality of the stately historical homes bore this out.

After passing the city of Grey we entered the Derivation de Savoyeux which had a tunnel that we had to pass through. Large in section and only 643 metres long, we considered this tunnel “a piece of cake”. Being veterans of the Pouilly Tunnel allowed us to scoff this one off.

But wait. Don't be too hasty there was more in store. Another tunnel loomed on the Derivation de Saint-Albin. This one was slightly longer – 681metres but was approached by a 2 kilometre winding cutting – very difficult to negotiate and only one way at a time.

By this time the Saone was becoming – in parts – quite a small river. There were times when it was quite narrow and twisty and times when we felt that we could talk with the neighbours.

We reached Corre at the confluence of the Saone and the Canal des Voges and after entering the canal stopped at a pleasant mooring to tour the town. Next day after leaving we were stopped by a cute swing bridge operated by a one manpower machine.

Our next port of call was Fontenoy-le-Chateau, a village that for centuries had been a centre for lace making and embroidery. Today an attractive but sleepy spot that appeared to be full of retirees from around the world. It nestled into the valley and the canal wound very tightly between the hills.

We cycled from here to the village of Bains les Bains. Famous for its hot mineral springs, the population of the area have travelled here since Roman times to “take the waters”. All we wanted was some groceries and access to an ATM to get some folding money.

We were approaching the summit of the Canal des Vosges and would soon descend to the town of Epinal where we will spend a few days.The summit pound is some 300 metres above the Saone and we were stopped three ecluses before the summit by a manual one, that had no man to work it. We spent a cold and frosty night in this lovely setting. It will be Epinal tomorrow.

We will tell you of Epinal next time,

- so keep in touch.