Carry on up the Sambre!

The French Sambre 26th to 29th August 2021 This is a nice short blog, especially in comparison to some of my recent ramblings. We had three nights and the best part of four days on this stretch of the 2021 voyage. Bienvenue en France! We left Erquelinnes on a blue and sunny morning, crossing theContinue reading “Carry on up the Sambre!”

Late summer in Belgium part 3

Down the Belgian Sambre with some Haut Escaut, and Canals Nimy-Blaton-Ath, de Centre and Brussels – Charleroi August 15th to 26th 2021 We left Antoing and friends Mieke and Frans, setting off up the Haut Escaut towards the two big locks at Péronnes; these still ring alarm bells in the mind of the Captain asContinue reading “Late summer in Belgium part 3”

Late Summer in Belgium – part 2

The voyage to meet Mieke and Frans Canal Bossuit-Kortrijk, L’Escaut and Canal de L’Espierres 5 – 14 August 2021 (Think I have included far too many photos! Apologies, but hope you enjoy them) Here we go at last! After 9 months of Covid- delay in the UK, and then quarantine in Kortrijk when we returnedContinue reading “Late Summer in Belgium – part 2”

Late summer in Belgium part 1

July 28 to August 5th 2021 If you have been following the Calliope blog you will know that we were stuck in the UK well past our normal April return to the boat, and when the usual cruising season begins. At first we more concerned about the Brexit effect than anything Covid related, wondering howContinue reading “Late summer in Belgium part 1”

“Je veux montant s’il vous plait”

Avignon to Lyon – 5 days ascending the Rhône August 15th to 20th   Feeling confident about diminishing wind and current speeds, and not too much in the way of Meteo alarms we set off from Avignon. There is always a little bit of apprehension about the Rhône for us. There are not that manyContinue reading ““Je veux montant s’il vous plait””

Juillet sur le Midi and la mer

I planned not to do a blog for a while,  but the temptation to share some of the things we have seen and done proves too great. To be precise, 25 days were spent on the Midi, 1 on the Hérault, and 5 on the Canal du Rhône à Sète, which connects to the Mediterannean allContinue reading “Juillet sur le Midi and la mer”

September 2017

I’m trying something new – basically a diary – but I can’t find a template that I like, so each day I will add a new day above the previous ones and publish every day. Let’s see if it works! or, if you know of a good diary template that I can share, please tellContinue reading “September 2017”

Our grande finale on Canal de Garonne

Text in italics is from Captain Stu – I take no responsibility! After a great weekend in Agen we left on a grey day, heading for the viaduct. At the bridge we saw two spots of red – one each side. On the right was the expected red lock light; on the left was the red of aContinue reading “Our grande finale on Canal de Garonne”

Stowaways – Canal de Garonne part 2

When I got back to Grisolles from my weekend in the UK I was in the company of our friend Hilary – first guest of 2017.  What I had not realised is that there were two additional ‘passengers’, who emerged to take the sun on day two! They were welcome to join us on the twoContinue reading “Stowaways – Canal de Garonne part 2”

Onward and slightly upward – Canal de Garonne part one

We entered the Canal de Garonne on a fine April afternoon, having expected to spend the night in the Port d’Embourchure at Toulouse because of a canal closure. However jst as we were picking our spot for the night our friendly eclusier Henri appeared and waved to let us know that the canal had re-opened;Continue reading “Onward and slightly upward – Canal de Garonne part one”