Wednesday April 27 - On the canal at last

 Finally time to get on the canals. This morning we left Chalon sur Saône for the Canal du Centre. Getting out of our mooring was interesting (the preparation). Our original location had us pinned against the dock with small logs and more attaching themselves to the boat. We were fortunate to be able to move back a spot. It was just enough to change the angle the current was hitting us at. along with the change we were able to use a boat hook to disentangle ourselves from the debris field that had attached itself to us. With the help of another boater to push our bow out, Joan on a stern spring line and Michael at the wheel, we made it out with no trouble. Getting under the bridge to get back on the Saône took full power to buck the current through narrow slot.

Once on the Saône it was a short hop upstream to the Canal du Centre and the first écluse that has a 10.7 meter (35 foot) rise.

On our way to the first (and only) écluse of the day
We were greeted by Joan's spirit animal - the Heron.
A good omen for a good day.

The entrance to écluse 34 bis.
It was so dark in the opening we thought the doors were closed
Fortunately the éclusier came out onto the balcony and waved us in.

Inside - looking up at the 35' we would soon be rising

Michael on our line to a floating bollard. It was a much
easier trip than we had anticipated.

And… after a few minutes, we were at the top, and it
looks like the top of any écluse.

We traveled a few more kilometers up the Canal du Centre to Fragnes where we tied up for a leisurely afternoon of walking and bicycling.