Meaux (what health & safety?)

Our mooring at Meaux with the cathedral in the background

At least this second heatwave (canicule) is not due to last as long as the one a month or so ago.  A week ago, it looked like we would have several days in the forties but now it’s thankfully changed to high 30s and only one day, Thursday, hitting 40. 

We decided to get to Meaux on Tuesday and set off early so we could arrive before lunchtime and also before the moorings might fill up.  We hadn’t been going long when we rounded a bend and were confronted with our digger dredger from Monday.  We slowed up and waited for instructions, only to be waved through.  I know this would also happen in the UK but over there the operation would stop as we passed especially in such a narrow spot.  We were amazed that the digger kept on working as we passed close by.

Our digger dredger

We were staying on the manmade cut through heavily wooded sides until we hit the lock at Meaux, so it was a relatively boring straight journey with only bridges breaking up the view every so often.

When we went under the A140 autoroute viaduct we realised it was the same viaduct we had gone under when travelling on the Canal de l’Ourcq a week or so ago.  

This viaduct crosses the cut then the River Marne and also the Canal de l’Ourcq

As we approached the lock at Meaux there were a couple of bends and when I radioed the lock I was told a commercial had just come through the lock so we should proceed carefully but the lock would be set and ready for us.  At least the commercials are smaller on this waterway as the locks are only 45 metres long, so we passed this one with ease and found it rather colourful with its paintwork and flags.

Not far from Meaux lock

As we went around that first corner, we could see the next ahead of us.  The lock was just around that corner, but the lights were thoughtfully placed so they could be seen before arriving at the bend.  That way there was no danger of turning the corner and coming face to face with a boat exiting the lock.

Green light at écluse de Meaux

The continuing dry weather is causing a bit of a panic amongst some in the boating community over here.  With water levels so low, restrictions are being put in place on quite a few waterways now.  These restrictions range from reduced opening hours, reduced water depth and enforced lock sharing.  At least on a narrowboat the reduced depth restriction should affect us the least. 

On top of these it appears that several canals are now likely to close over the next few weeks and especially those that link the Lyon area to a line of latitude through Paris.  These are the various routes that join the north and the south.  Many people are in the south and need to get back to winter moorings in the north and vice versa.  As you will probably guess it is difficult separating rumour from fact, so we have decided to ignore things for the moment and carrying on with our plans.

Going into écluse de Meaux

As we came out of the lock, we were back on the River Marne and headed downstream to the moorings in the centre of town.

Heading into Meaux

When we arrived at the pontoons there was only one other boat there, so we needn’t have worried about finding a space.  This was Charisma with Pat & Dave on board.  They were here when we popped down to see PJ & Dieta who were moored here when we were on the Canal de l’Ourcq. Pat & Dave had had a problem with their boat and were still waiting for a spare part to arrive after nearly four weeks!  During the afternoon four other boats arrived.

Moored in Meaux

After having a slow and short walk around our part of Meaux we spent the rest of the day on the mooring.  I was a bit distraught as, when I started to upload pictures for the blog my laptop screen went black and refused to work anymore.   In the end we decided it was probably the heat and left it until Wednesday morning when I’d try and sort it out.

Back to the water shortages, our current plan is to overwinter at Roanne, and we have booked a slot down there.  One of the canals we will have to go on has a few restrictions already and is expected to close on 6^th August.

Our route from Meaux to Roanne

When this has happened in other years, VNF have allowed convoys through at the end of October so they can reach their winter moorings.  This is, of course, on the assumption that we get some rain before then.  Anyway, as I said, we are sticking to our current plans and will be on our way again when we return from the UK at the beginning of August.

On Tuesday we cruised 10 kilometres up one lock and will probably stay here until we return from our annual family camping trip in the Yorkshire Dales.

Wednesday was hotter still so Karen & Buddy went for their run very early in the morning.  They found a good shaded path along the river which was also very sandy.  For some reason Buddy loves the feel of sand and starts rushing around in circles and trying to bury himself so it was just as well it was shady for him.

Karen & Buddy’s path

We took in a walk around the town and to the station when Karen got back but, again, spent the rest of the day at the mooring. We went to the station so I could work out how to get back to Migennes on Friday to pick up the car ready for going back to the UK on Monday.

Buddy’s preferred position while it’s too hot outside

As you will notice Buddy has a wet towel over him and will sleep with it on all night too so he can’t be that daft!

I spent quite a while trying to sort out my laptop and was beginning to rue buying an expensive Microsoft Surface.  I was getting particularly irritated by the fact that, as it was out of warranty, they would only replace it with another one rather than attempt a repair.  That sounds fine but the cost of this wasn’t far off £700.  In the end, after about the sixth attempt at soft booting it came back to life.  While the weather stays this hot I will limit using it to hopefully avoid it happening again.

We really didn't do a lot during the day other than a couple of wanders around town and a few trips to a spot on the river that is accessible to Buddy.  We did find a bar in the shade later on and sat outside enjoying a breeze off the river.  Graham, one of our neighbours appeared at one point for a chat as he was on the way to the Tourist Office, who manage our moorings, to make a complaint.

He wasn't happy that every time you pay for the moorings, only 10 minutes of water is delivered.  We have to admit that he has a good point as, even at high pressure, 10 minutes is not going to deliver much water.  We won't be complaining though as we need to tell them we will be leaving the boat here while we pop back to the UK 😀