Barge Date:  07-24-2018

The Sarre and the Inclined Plane

It has been some time since I wrote about travels so perhaps that is a sign that not a lot of major places have been visited. But some interesting pictures perhaps.

East from Nancy, we headed for the Canal de la Sarre.  We went down the canal and headed north for the German border. Here are some pictures along the way.

Lorraine and Alsace are areas of Europe that have been home to storks.  But like too many birds, their number has gone dangerously low. So several towns have programs to bring the big bird back to their local area and buildings.  You have to look up to find them but often if you look down and see large white areas on the sidewalks you know to look up. Saint Nicolas du Port and Sarralbe are two such towns.  In particular, for Sarralbe, they have created a city trail  by placing brass stork medals in the sidewalk that you must follow and then look up to catch a view.

Saint Nicolas also has a nice church which is interesting because the inside is very bright. Normally you go in and you work to see things.  Have seen several this year that are inviting.

July 14 is the national day for France but we were treated to fireworks the night before, all from the comfort of our boat.

And still some very nice farm land with a touch of the 21st century in harmony.

Our travels down the Sarre ended at Sarreguemines. We just stayed overnight but found some sights to see and a nice restaurant.  And Marianne found her first WOB (Women on Barges) in some time.  We ended up being with them for several days. This town had been a factory town years ago and some of the buildings seen here were part of the recreation facilities offered to employees.

And proof that we have yet to see it all, how about this boat?

Another fine person we met is John W.  He single hands a 25 meter barge, Johanna, and does "self-catered" trips in this area. But many years ago he traveled to India and began helping the tribal population in the southern area of the country.  By training, he is a nurse, and and he established what is now called a NGO.  His work can be reviewed here:  http://www.nwtws.org

So part of the year he is in Europe then he packs up and goes to his work in India.  We offered some financial support and if you would like to help John's good work the information can be found on his web site.

This is the season for hire boats and in this area they greatly outnumber owner boats.  This is a good way to experience canals in France.  Certainly not a barge experience but you travel the same waters. They range in size for a family of 2-4 to very large with 10-12 people on board.  Very little training is offered so you see these boat "armorized" with fenders.  A boat that has been around for several years show the scars from people just out having fun and doing so too fast.

Going east now on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin we are faced with the big drop. We are somewhat in mountainous area but not big mountains.  This is a problem for canals. Too many locks require too much water and the solution was to build the inclined plane lock, the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane, and not waste a drop.  Used the hand-held video camera to take some video.

A few years ago there was an accident at this operation.  A larger tour boat that gives rides to people wanting to experience the incline was entering at the top when the caisson suddenly moved causing the boat to be nearly cut in half.  No one hurt, I think, but put the facility out of action for almost 2 years. So much extra water poured into the lower section of the canal that there had to be some evacuation downstream.

The inclined plane replaced 17 locks and a great quantity of water, always in short supply. The drop/lift is about 44 meters (compared to about 3 for the surrounding locks).

As you enter at the top you have a great crowd of people looking at your every move.  A time to look good or perhaps look bad which is always good entertainment.  More details here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis-Arzviller_inclined_plane

Our next interesting stop is at Lutzelbourg.  You know you are in Alsace by the German names and most of the boaters are now German. Tied up in town and made a hike up to an old castle ruins that sit high above the town and the canal.  Good pictures, taking time, a long walk, lost then found the trail and a steep decent.

Marianne before learning we must also walk down.

Lionel

Finally, this post ends in Saverne. The canal comes right through town and a big drop lock - 5 meters - is located by a busy restaurant.  Another opportunity to look good or bad. The town has an old castle that many think looks a bit like Buckingham Palace.

A couple of social comments.  We noticed last year and also this year the great number of eye glasses stores.  Far too many it would seem for the population.  In this town I counted 4 in a two-block area with 2 being side by side.  Maybe they all knew that President Macron would push for all French people to be entitled to new glasses every 2 years, I guess paid for by the people. It is now the law.

Clothing - lots of stores which I don't go into but we did find ourselves in a store for babies. Note the pair of Levis jean, shorts in fact, for a baby.  50 Euros. Makes you wo nder what adult sizes might cost.

It has been hot.  Taking some fun out of boating.  Winter project - make screens for all the cabin windows.  Most sunny days in some period of time since 35 years ago.  Today they say global warming;  I don't know what they said 35 years ago.

On to Strasbourg.