Day 13 Paris

The boats reunite in Rouen for their journey back downstream

Together again

Both fleets awoke to a beautifully still morning. There was not a breath of wind, the river was quiet and the birds were in full morning chorus. At Vernon boats were slipping from 0730, reaching their first lock of the 50-mile passage, Notre Dame, an hour later.

The Venables boats departed at a more relaxed 0900 for their 31-mile passage to Rouen. In yesterday’s exhausting temperatures many had plunged into the lake water to cool off and in the evening crews had a group barbecue on the bank.

Today’s weather has been a stark contrast to yesterday’s scorcher, there were occasional sunny spells but a grey overcast sky has lingered all day. The chilly breeze had picked up by early afternoon, accompanied by some refreshing rain showers.

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Amfreville Lock was the last lock today and marked the end of the fleet’s journey on the non-tidal Seine. The scenery suddenly changed from meadow riverbank to sloping tide-marked sides, the water murky with the fast flowing tide.

By 1400 the first boats were arriving at Rouen, fuelled and ready for the next port of call, Le Havre. The fleet will remain in Rouen for two nights, so there is a welcome rest day tomorrow. Weather permitting, the MBM team has organised a group barbecue in the evening.

Photos
Bavaria 37 Sport Oxygen, Fairline Targa 34 Attacker V


Day 14

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