Hello folks and bonjour from Jaux, a small village just downriver from Compiegne. We couldn't find a mooring at Compiegne's Port du Plaisance (Pdp). Often, these Pdps are quite small - catering from 5 to 30 boats to include locals so they're not like marinas - and as "Reward" is nearly a 50' boat with the unstepped mast it does create problems mooring. So we motored 6km down the River Oise to Jaux, a pretty PdP with power, water and showers. Only downfall is that it is in the main canal so we get the wash from passing barges - OK if they're not speeding along or too large otherwise it's hold onto your hats as you roll around!
Monday 27 May - Pont l'Eveque to Jaux
"Stardust" and "Reward" set off from Pont l'Eveque in bright sunshine and thought we'd have a quick run down to Compiegne. We traversed the first lock pretty well - it was quite wide so there were 3 yachts and a barge alongside us all.
Sir Mickelot!
We continued down to the next lock where we were followed by the same barge who, of course, has priority over us yachts so "Stardust" and "Reward" took a line ashore on the quayside and waited for him to pass and go into the lock. All easy enough except when we tried to get off mooring astern (in reverse gear) the wind got hold of us. First Mate's dulcet tones were heard by all as she warned Skipper of a possible collision as our boat is tricky to handle in reverse with the keel up. Fortunately we managed to avoid a small altercation with a quayside roadsign and a huge steel barge!
Seriously, it was a really stressful moment as you can imagine, not least as the locals were looking on anxiously but a huge sigh of relief all round - a close call though!
So with that we set off again to Jaux. With mooring secured and overworked adrenals we decided that the best thing to do was go ashore and have a beer. There is a lovely bistro/bar at the PdP so we sat on the veranda taking in the sun and beer - lovely! It was mid-afternoon by this time so we didn't do much else other than have dinner on board, prepared and cooked by Skipper.
Locks today: 3 (total 33)
Miles today: 18 (total 123)
Tuesday 28 May - Jaux/Compiegne
We decided to walk the 6km to Compiegne along the canalside which was lovely. About half way it started to rain which had set in for the day by the time we arrived at the Centre Ville an hour later. Such a shame as I wanted a few snaps but the weather didn't lend itself well to capture the elegant style of Compiegne - very Parisian and former home to several royals whilst hunting in the nearby forests - the second largest forest in France. It is also where Joan of Arc was captured so lots of history here. A converted Chateau is now home to three museums but which was shut today.
That's our news - we're off to Cergy tomorrow which puts us in striking distance of Paris. It's quite a long haul so we'll stop half way at a watersports haven - L'Isle-Adam - so no doubt we'll post again from Cergy.
Over & out for now from Sir Mickelot and a damsel who was close to distress!
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