Pouilly-en-Auxois tunnel

Two years ago we spent the summer on the French Canals on our barge Zonder Zorg.  On Friday morning, the 12th September we slipped our moorage and entered the Pouilly-en-Auxois tunnel.  Our tenth tunnel since taking possession of Zonder Zorg. 

At the previous lock, we were advised to have a flood light on the front deck and life jackets worn while travelling through the tunnel. A two-way radio loaned to us and there are surveillance cameras in the tunnel. It reminded me of preparing for a Disneyland type ride - The tunnel of horror!  As it turned out the tunnel was well lit, the floodlight was not needed and we had been in a longer tunnel previously, without all the fuss. 

At 1130 we stopped for the lock keepers' lunch at Vandenesse-en-Auxios and had to wait till 1300 as there would be another private boat joining us in the locks. Some of the neighbours came to say Bon Appetite.

After entering the lock first, we patiently waited for the other boat to arrive. 

Of the next eleven locks the houseboat, equipped with twin engines and a bow thruster, made it into the locks only twice on its own. The other times it tried for sideways, hitting the gates, bending the safety rail, making the éclusiers jump out its way and narrowly missing being speared with boat hooks. Fenders were being moved from one side to another as the boat was manoeuvred manually in place. 

By the end of the day, we were all exhausted and the éclusier advised us that the other boat would be leaving at 1300 the following day.

With this information, it gave us an early morning start as we entered the peacefulness of the canal. The locks were in our favour and welcoming.

At the approach of lock 33, we spotted "L'Escapade". With a brief chat with Evey on shore, the barges passed in opposite directions. 

Moored below the lock was Charles Briggs's "Xenia", a wide beam narrow boat. It was lunch hour when we arrived at lock 35 and Charles came over for a chat.


The eclusier's cat hopped onboard to do a thorough mouse inspection and found none. We continued our journey, found a quiet mooring spot and celebrated Michael's then seventieth birthday. 

Cheers.