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End of May we arrived at Chagny which is another one of our haunts from camping days and having picnic lunches by the port. We found a good spot to moor in the corner of the port. We took the opportunity to wander into the town for a leisurely cup of coffee and to revisit the town. Our whistling Dutchman and his dog arrived on his boat the next day and so once again there was some banter about boating in France. On the first day of June we were ready to continue with our exploration of the waterways of France. We checked in by phone with central control of the Canal du Centre to confirm that we were on the move again. We approached the first lock on this stretch only to find that the system was not working as it should. We were about to make another phone call when someone from VNF arrived and managed to sort out the lock and to get us moving again. Our next destination was Fragnes where there is a lot of development happening to create a small port with restaurant / bar and additional electricity and water points. There is already a hairdressers, bakers and a small general store. There was even a contraption for washing bikes and pumping up tyres. We have never seen anything like it before! We were pleased to see our whistling Dutchman friend again who was there before us and at the ready to help with ropes to moor up. Leaving Fragnes we headed for the River Soanne and went through a very gentle lock, 10 metres deep with floating bollards.

Once on the River we headed for Chalon sur Soanne where we managed to moor up on a pontoon although the stern of the boat was jutting out a couple of metres. There was a commercial centre within easy walking / cycling distance which enabled us to replace an empty bottle of propane gas and to fill the fridge. The next day was very windy and so we decided to stay put especially as the harbourmaster had informed us that the water was about 3 foot higher than usual for that time of year and about to continue to rise. However the harbourmaster wanted us to change position and although we indicated that we were a bit concerned about the wind he was convinced that we would be better moored up in the place identified by him. First disaster for this month. The wind took the boat and the wooden frame holding the bow (cratch) window in it's frame caught on a steel yacht mast that was down on a moored boat. No damage to that boat thank goodness but our wooden frame split into two pieces.

With the high water level and our experience on the River Soanne with, in the main hire boaters using the waterway like a motorway creating huge swell of water which bashed the boat making us feel as if we were on the sea. we decided not to move towards the River Rhone. We are here to enjoy boating not for any heroics! We did a 'U turn' and headed for St. Jean de Losne. With an important event looming, the wedding of Paul's daughter June, we arranged to stay at the port for a couple of weeks where we knew that the boat would be safe at the Crown Blue Line base. Jane, who we met with her husband Jeff and golden retriever Susie, did a good job watering our tomato plants which are thriving and we will soon be eating the cherry tomatoes with our salad. Everything went well over the wedding weekend and no doubt people will have some fond memories of the event.

Whilst not boating for a couple of weeks we decided to hire a car to explore moorings for the winter period 2006 / 2007. We had a few places in mind but our first choice was Epinal near Nancy. When we arrived we really liked the look of the port. There is a park running alongside it and it is very close to the town. We spent time talking with the harbourmaster who agreed to reserve a place for us although we do not know exactly where in the port. At least we know that we are organised and fortuitously there is a coal merchant nearby. We visited the premises and we have had assurance that they will deliver to the boat. It seems strange to be thinking about winter when we are experiencing temperatures of 30 centigrade on a regular basis but it is reassuring that we will have everything necessary for the winter months.

On leaving St Jean de Losne our second disaster occurred and for those of you who believe that things happen in 'threes' read on and you will find out about the third! There is the opportunity to top up with diesel at St Jean de Losne, always a wise thing to do. We dutifully queued and stayed against a pontoon until it was our turn. We started off gently to take up position against the barge that sells the fuel when a boat appeared from nowhere and moving fast. So fast that he pushed us against a rubber protection on the pontoon and we were unable to move away from it. Result, one shutter partially pushed off the hinges. The safest thing to do was to remove it all together. Like the wooden frame it is repairable but it is the difficulty of finding the opportunity with the right tools to do the jobs. All part of the adventure.

From the river Soanne we entered the Canal du Rhone au Rhin where we were given a radio control 'zapper'to operate the locks. The battery lasts 2 days and it takes 2 hours to recharge. Everything needed is supplied. In the main it has worked well and it is easy to use. The machine has been set up in the English language for our use although some of the translations bring a smile to the face. The movement of the water when filling the locks can be a bit vicious but we are learning how to cope with that. Once again we have gone through some spectacular scenery and finally moored up for a week in a little village called Ranchot not far from Dole where we have the company of a very chatty frog on the opposite side of the canal. Now comes the third disaster! Last night someone stole our satellite dish and the tripod used to hold it in position. The local people are so apologetic and wanting to help giving lifts to towns to try and buy a replacement. We will sort something out and we are determined not to let these mishaps spoil what is overall a wonderful experience. Diane has to return to England to do her final stint of external examining and on her return on the 3rd July we will be moving towards Besancon and eventually Mullhouse with plenty of locks and hopefully more wonderful scenery. There is so much to see and we are thrilled to have the space and time to be able to absorb everything that surrounds us.