Toul to Savoy, Canal Marne-Rhin

After two tough days, we started optimistically for the next stage.

The destination was Demange-aux-Eaux, the first lock after the long tunnel.

We started early and sensitized by the breakdowns of the last few days, we always had our impeller in mind. We had two tunnels ahead of us and planned 20 locks.

Before the first tunnel, which was about 870 m long, we planned a stop. After all, we wanted to check the functions here again and dismantle our windows for the first time. I had the idea that the tunnels were carved out of the stone and that there could also be places where the ceiling gets closer to Gustav. If that actually happens, the window cannot be turned in the tunnel anymore. And everything goes back and a second attempt, so it is better to dismantle it right away.

If our headlight works, we also had three flashlights with us just in case.

At the end of the tunnel, we were a bit wiser as before. We drove through a tube that was unlit, our headlight worked, a bit weak but better than nothing. The flashlights were a good additional help. Only 870 m width and only half a meter to a meter of space on the left and right, the bow shouldn't stray far, otherwise it goes through the tube like a pinball.

Again only good experience, Heike illuminated exemplary and gave appropriate instructions, so we passed the first tunnel without any injuries.

After exiting the tunnel, we were greeted by a VNF angel. Of course, he wanted to know our destination and he smiled immediately when we called it lock 1 after the long tunnel. He strongly recommended that we plan a stop between lock 8 and lock 7. He offered to accompany us until then, even helping with mooring.

I naturally suspected that the young man hadn't bought any flowers for Mother's Day yet and wanted to finish work 2 hours earlier in this way.

We naturally followed his advice and then interrupted our journey in Sauvoy. We said goodbye to our guide with a bottle of Balkhausen's Best. He probably hadn't tried it yet when he bid us farewell the next day.

But the next day we understood that it was not because of the flowers not yet bought that we couldn't continue our journey.