The high temperatures caused a lot of water in the reservoirs and in the canals to evaporate – and there was little rain to make up for it. We were limited to cruising on a river.
Fortunately for us, Auxonne is on the Saône. We would have no problems – at least none due to low water-levels.
As we cruise, we have to pass through locks and flood gates. Most locks and flood gates are of Freycinet dimensions… 5-metres wide. Aleau has a beam of 4.8-metres. That leaves less than 4-inches clearance on either side (if I can keep Aleau centered as we pass through the lock or flood gate.) The walls of the locks and flood gates are made of unforgiving stone. They have been there since the 1800s and have survived many encounters with steel barges. It is the barge and not the walls that lose in every encounter. There is always a bit of apprehension every time I see one in front of me.
The photos below are of a flood gate on the Saône in Charentenay. (Flood gates have just one set of doors so there is no change in elevation.) To make it more challenging, the approach is not a straight line. The river curves just before the flood gate. To add to the fun, I cannot see the sides of Aleau when I am at the wheel. Aleau is wider than the white that’s visible in the photos. Lower down, and out of sight for me, are walkways along the edge on either side. Jeannie and I wear headsets and she lets me know how close to the stone walls I am. And then, it’s up to me.
