Samois-sur-Seine was a delight. While technically on the Seine, it is tucked on one side of an island – separating it from the busy traffic on the other side. Unfortunately, the island is small – and as soon as we left Samois-sur-Seine we were sharing the river and locks with barges much bigger than us.
The locks are huge and the captains of these behemoths are professional. We may have felt intimidated at times – but we never felt in danger. Even so, we kept out of their way. If I saw one coming up from behind (They go much faster than us.), I would get on the radio and let them know I was pulling to one side so they could pass. I always got a friendly wave as they went by.
The Seine is fascinating. It’s a chance to see all types of vessels. This one came equipped with a water slide. The dents and scrapes on the grey hull were proof that this had once been a commercial barge that had passed through many locks in its lifetime. The white top showed what a little imagination (and money) could do to a retired commercial barge.
The big ones kept coming. I couldn’t even get all of this one in one shot.
It was not just barges. Many buildings caught our eye as we headed downstream.
At first glance, they seemed abandoned. And then we saw large semis (Poids lourds as they are called in French), going in and out of the various buildings. Turns out, it’s a very busy flour mill.
I believe the tall structure is a grain elevator – and the canopy over the Seine is to keep the rain off when barges are loading or unloading. Maybe?
The flour mill is in Corbeil-Essonnes – less than 30-kilometres and a few locks and we’ll be in Paris.
As we’re going downstream (with the lock emptying while we’re in it), only one rope is needed. But it’s vital to keep an eye on that rope. If it snags on anything (like a crack in the lock wall), Aleau would be left hanging in the air as the water disappeared beneath her. Jeannie is being vigilant.
