Chalon-sur-Saône to Ranchot on the Canal du Rhône au Rhin

September 2 – Monday – Another beautiful day on the Saône with today’s port of call Verdun-sur-Doubs. This is where the Doubs river, that we will be following with the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, meets the Petite Saône to become the Saône River. The lower reaches are not navigable so we have to put in another couple of days on the Saône to reach the canal.

River town of Verdun-sur-Doubs. At the point the Petite Saône and the Doubs combine to make the Saône

A few minutes after mooring at the marina this "ship" came down the Doubs River. Happy not to meet him on a turn.

Verdun-sur-Doubs is a beautiful river town with the bread museum – couldn’t miss that. Covered the history of bread, especially the history of the Baguette in France. Did a bit of provisioning but unfortunately missed getting to try, pôchouse verdunoise a local dish that is made from several types of fish stewed in white wine. The restaurant that is known for the best version was closed on Mondays

Wine on the sun-deck for a wonderful sunset on the Saône in Suerre.

Tuesday - Arrived in Suerre. A hot day and not much happening in town. The best shade was in a small park watching the elders of the town play boules. Certainly wish I understood French a lot better. There was lots of humor going on, that we could only get the gist of. Finished the evening off with a glass of wine on the sun-deck.

Wednesday we are in our home port of Sain Jean de Losne meeting up with boating friends Jon and Bev. Helped them move their boat to the slings to be hauled for the season, then met the gentleman that will be doing painting and polishing on their boat this winter (a possible candidate to work on Juniper). We returned to the boat to host the three of them to poo-poos and wine on the sun-deck before moving off to the pub to meet with the Kiwis and Aussies for their weekly get together and finally dinner on the quay with some of the Kiwis.

A great option a couple of Kiwi Rialto canal boats used for a front cockpit bimini. Inexpensive and it works great.
We may have to consider copying this great idea.

September 5 Thursday – A much needed morning shower told us what we’d be doing for the day. After the shower we had a smell like a gas leak that meant our shower sump had overflowed into the bilge. Took the mid-cabin apart to reach the hatch then opened the sump for some testing. Luckily just a bad float switch and it was in stock in town. However once open the sump and adjoining settling tank should be bailed dry and cleaned. An awkward, slow and smelly job – we sure smell good now.

Float switch replaced - Now it's a long reach into the bottom of the smelly sump
to get a cup of gray sludge at a time. Glad to have that job over for a while

Friday morning found us taking a quick jaunt up the Saône to the Canal du Rhône au Rhin. We’ve rarely had to share a lock while cruising in France – that all changed this year. With most of the canals closed due to lack of water it’s a busy year on the Rhône au Rhin. We shared every lock on the route to Dole. Had a peaceful evening aboard.

Joan as the captain gets to handle the bow line in the écluse. While her crew gets the stern line.

Saturday we had a not so early start, leaving Dole, that almost bit us. Again we started out with a lock buddy, that wasn’t very happy to have to share. At the first opportunity they shot far enough ahead to get into a lock and close the door before we arrived. Had the last couple of locks on the way to Ranchot to ourselves, Joan took advantage of the opportunity to brush up on her captain skills (not that they are ever very rusty). Arrived to a full quay, luckily a boat was just running to the grocery store. A quick turnaround and we were ready for the open spot. We were no sooner tied up and yet another boat arrived. Biked to Fraisans, a nearby town that is big enough to have a grocery store, to pick up some much needed provisions. Slow afternoon, Joan worked on her needlepoint while I cooked dinner.

Joan working on her grandma skills - working on a needlepoint Christmas stocking for first granddaughter Emma.

September 8 – Raining – too much trouble to put on raingear. Had a second cup of coffee and braved the drizzle for 100 meters to the boulangerie for croissants and bread for lunch. Looks like another work on the boat day for the morning. Got a bit of a walk in, then more chores before settling down to needlepoint and blog. Full quay again today, with disappointed boats having to continue on.