We were intending to return to Calais by a more westerly route, via the Canal du Centre, Lateral a Loire, & Briare. First however we had to negotiate the Rhone upstream. Fortunately for us, it being August, the stream, while being appreciable, was not dangerous. It did however take us two days more than the downstream run. Again we marvelled at the scenery which was amazing in it's variety.

Back in the small canals, heading back towards Paris, we were continually amazed by the strange and diverse modes of transport!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Yes but what is it ???

So we slowly made our way north, we crossed the river Loire at Briare, the longest aqueduct in France, almost 1 km long, designed by Eiffel in the Belle Epoque style. We encountered numerous different lock designs, one of the more bizarre was at Guetin, which has a double lock with sides that slope from end to end! While many locks are being electrified, many are still worked by hand, and you are expected to help the lock keeper...........very good for the waistline
                                                    
                                                                                               Yes dear it is your                                     The Mate in charge as we                                   The strange sloping lock                              The Skipper does
                                                                                            turn to make the tea !                                           cross the Loire                                                            at Guetin                                                     his work
 
 

 The weather was getting chilly, September was upon us, and we were beginning to look forward to getting home. We passed Paris again this time in haste, and soon found out that we could not return directly to Calais via the Canal du Nord, because of "Chomages", closure for repairs. We had to use the much heavier locked Canal de St Quentin. This was quite picturesque, but was marred for us when we succeeded in getting a rope round the propeller. After numerous attempts with snorkel and face mask I had to admit defeat, mainly due to the coldness of the water, so we had to hire a diver who saw us coming! £400, fortunately our insurers paid in full. Soon we were passing under the bridge at Les Attaques, which had given us problems at the beginning of our cruise. And so again to Calais and the journey across the Channel to Harwich and home.........
                                                   
                                                                                                                               This was round our prop                                                                                                                         Pont Les Attaques
                                                                                                                                  the Diver is smiling!                                                                                                                                 Canal de Calais
 
 

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