Heading North.

We are waiting for Helen and Lynda to join us, They have been on a tour in Spain and Southern France. We understand they have had a hectic time and it appears that they may be joining us just to rest. Helen is becoming a seasoned traveller but this is Lynda’s first trip out of Australia for some time. Helen will be a good guide.

With a day or so to wait for them we decided to take in a little of Paris. We will check the river levels, stock the boat and generally prepare for the next episode in our travels.

The gardens above are the Jardin des Tuileries, only a stone’s throw from the hotel that the girls will stay in. Beautifully manicured lawns but don’t walk on them!

Marg took a train in on Saturday morning and met them and accompanied them to the boat. Next morning, Sunday June 12, as the Seine had returned to almost normal flow and level we departed our mooring downstream. The Seine still had a mind of its own and when entering our first lock, Matilda was caught in a heavy cross current and hit a retaining wall.

Doesn’t look much but the impact was frightening and we were all a bit shaken. Fortunately no major problems and after putting things back in place in the boat we returned to normal. The boat is safe but the gunnel and railing will have to be repaired.

We continued on into the Oise river, going upstream, against the current this time. Later, Peter managed a quick patch job on the railing to relieve access on that side.

We were now in big boat country and shared one ecluse on the Oise with these boats.

The girls seemed to appreciate our now quiet pace, well comforted with bubbles and Marg’s fine dining.

Lynda left us at Compiegne, travelling by train back to Paris, then flying home to Australia. We enjoyed her company and she seemed to appreciate our lifestyle.

Compiegne has been a famous town in French history. Since the 6^th century it is known to have had a castle occupied by royalty of the time. The present castle has been the choice of a summer Palace of many of the French kings and continuously modified to suit their use. Napoleon Bonaparte and Napoleon III also lived in it. It is now primarily a museum restored in parts to highlight its original use.

We were off again, heading now further up the Oise, and into the Canal de la Somme. We are heading to Amiens and into the historic battlefields of the First World War.

There will be more to tell, so we will keep in touch.