Changing Direction

Barbie weather at last!

We are a little surprised to be on the River Doubs (canal du Rhone au Rhine - I have to look that up every time). After leaving the Canal du Centre we cruised up the Saone to St Jean du Losne, the fabled centre of navigation in France. I'm not sure what I expected here - there are certainly plenty of boats but the town seemed less lively than I had anticipated. We stopped in Blanquarts marina for a couple of days and enquired about leaving the boat for the winter. No chance apparently - you have to book a year in advance. H20, the other big boatyard, is next door. We enquired there and they may have a place but they also directed us to their new marina at Auxonne further up the Saonne. So off we set for a look see. The cruise up the river was pleasant and quiet. There seemed to be quite a few boats coming the other way. At the lock into Auxonne we discovered why. The keeper told us that a lock further up had been so badly damaged it was closed - effectively closing off the navigation - and everyone was having to turn back. Worse still the word is it will be closed until September. So, no route north.
 We spent a night in Auxonne and decided the new port wasn't for us. The walled town, dominated by its army barracks, has some interesting buidings though.
So back down the river and then onto the Doubs. We have been told that this is one of the most spectacular navigations in France - but also a bit tricky. At the end of this is the Rhine which is described in our book as being 'not for the faint hearted'. Well that's me excused then. I'm researching bus routes.