Time is going by very quickly, so I have to catch up and explain what has been going on.
First of all my bother in law has finally taken the step and is now the proud owner of his own barge which will be called The Duke.
He'll begin cruising in 2009 and has a great cruise concept. I'll keep you informed and post more details very soon.
A good friend of mine "Emma" is now blogging and has much to say about barges and boating in France, so if you need information, tips, advice or whatever else check out her pages on emmascruisesinfrance.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, April 02, 2007
Crazy...
I've seen this happen before, but this time I was really surprised. Here's the story but no names as I'm sure the affair is not finished.
Somebody contacted me to ask for help and advice in building a hotel barge. I willingly agreed as this subject really interest me. I've been messing around with hotel barges for most of my life.
So after quite a few telephone calls about serious subjects such as navigation permits and safety standards, cruise concepts, routes and many other things, we decide to meet and inspect the current state of advancement of the barge, as the launch schedule is now long overdue (6 months).
Well on the agreed day, I drive some 250 kilometres to checkout the barge and how the conversion work is going.
Before I explain what I saw, here is some of the background story.
A couple of years ago, some very rich person who we will call Mr X, came on vacation to France on a standard hotel boat. Mr X though this was the best thing since sliced bread, better than his 50' yacht which cruises in the Caribbean, better than his private jet. Mr X. had just fallen in love with the French canals and rivers. I think you now understand that this person has a lot of money. In fact
The next year, Mr X decides to bring his friends and have a great time, but wanted bigger cabins than on is previous cruise. So he charters two barges and has a wonderful holiday. Whilst he was cruising, he starts to talk with the owner of the charter barge about how this barge thing is just so incredible. The barge owner suggests to Mr X. that it would be a good idea if Mr X. builds his own boat.
So the guy says "how much for one like this?"
The barge owner says "About 750 thousand Euro"
"OK" says Mr X, "I'll send you the money and make sure it's as good as this".
Well you can imagine what the barge owner is now feeling... We'll call him Mr. B (B can stand for what ever you like). Mr. B now has a million dollars in his hands.
Mr. B, goes off to Belgium and buys a 50 metre barge, as most of the French canals are only for 38metre boats, the barge has to taken into a ship yard and have 12 metres removed. Once that is dine, the boat is imported into France and taken to a fairly remote location where the rest of the conversion work is to be undertaken.
The months pass by, Mr X is informed by Mr B that there will be delays and more delays... So eventually Mr X calls in help.
So here I am looking at a half converted barge, that is already 6 months behind plans. It was moored along side Mr B's own hotel barge. Before going aboard, I walk up and down the quay and look at the hull.
I thought it a shame that the hull hadn't been sand blasted whilst it was being cut in half in the dry dock. That would have saved time...
I continued to examine the hull, which looked in fairly good condition, well compared to Mr B's hotel barge, which although with only two years service had some incredible dents and smashes around the bow. When I mean dents, I mean the steel has been pushed backwards 10-15 cms with the shape of a large ball, and not just once. I was hoping that the new pilot of the new vessel was not to be the same as the person, who had been bouncing the other barge in and out of locks.
As I heard the main engine of Mr X's boat starting up, I went to the stern to take a look, a bit smoky, but nothing that an engine overhaul could not clean up. I noticed the cooling water trickling exhaust of a generator, which was pumping very blue, I was sure that I had told prior to my visit that the generators were brand new. As I looked at Mr B's barge which was moored along side, I realized that there was a very new air cooled generator on the stern. Perhaps the mechanic had installed the new generator on the wrong barge... I thought !
A small van arrived and parked beside the boats, the van appeared to belong to the local "plasterer", three young men climbed out and started unload dozens of plaster board sheets to take on board the barge being converted. I said hello to the boss and asked how business was going. He told me things were great, lots of work to do. He explained that his company was really happy to install the bathrooms on this barge, he had never worked on boats before and was really enjoying the challenge. I mentioned to him that it was quite unusual to use plaster-board on boats, even if it was treated against humidity. He replied in saying that's what he always used in houses.
What also struck me at this time, was that the barge was already drawing about 1.55 metres, they had only just started to fit out the first of five bathrooms on the lower deck, and need a total of 60 sheets of plaster-board. Now plaster-board is fairly heavy, plus all the windows on the upper deck had to be fitted, all the wood panelling, all the furniture, the stainless steel kitchen and much more. So in the end that would be quite a few more tonnes of weight, being optimistic, let's say the barge ends up drawing 1.7 metres. Mmmm, those portholes where already set quite low on the water line !
Well this all means that there would quite a few canals where the boat would not be able to cruise, and a long gang-plank would be required to moor up anywhere else.
The surprises continued to surprise me with the methods and techniques being used, no plans just ideas, no budget just spending...
In the afternoon, Mr X arrived and greeted me, thanking me for my time and advice prior to the visit. Together we looked around his luxury conversion and then headed off to a nearby bar to discuss matters.
He asked me about my experience on hotel barges, which I explained, we talked about the business side, the client side, the crew salaries and approximate costs of converting an old barge into a luxury hotel. I indicated a total price, which I calculated based on other conversions which I had seen in recent years.
When I announced this figure, Mr X's mouth dropped and there was a look of pure frustration. "I've already passed that number... and we're only have way through". He explained that there was no fixed budget and he just wanted the best.
After a few hours we said good-bye and would remain in contact. A few days later I sent a complete report, detailing what I had seen. The next day I received the following reply from Mr .X
"I found major problems that I must address. So it is probable the barge will be sent back to Belgium for more work and I do not expect it to return for 6 months. 4 months in Belgium and at least 2 months with the current contractors."
I'm not sure what your feelings about Mr B. are, it is clear that he's having fun ripping off Mr X.
As for Mr X. who is very rich, I just do not understand how he became so rich and yet remains so naive.
Somebody contacted me to ask for help and advice in building a hotel barge. I willingly agreed as this subject really interest me. I've been messing around with hotel barges for most of my life.
So after quite a few telephone calls about serious subjects such as navigation permits and safety standards, cruise concepts, routes and many other things, we decide to meet and inspect the current state of advancement of the barge, as the launch schedule is now long overdue (6 months).
Well on the agreed day, I drive some 250 kilometres to checkout the barge and how the conversion work is going.
Before I explain what I saw, here is some of the background story.
A couple of years ago, some very rich person who we will call Mr X, came on vacation to France on a standard hotel boat. Mr X though this was the best thing since sliced bread, better than his 50' yacht which cruises in the Caribbean, better than his private jet. Mr X. had just fallen in love with the French canals and rivers. I think you now understand that this person has a lot of money. In fact
The next year, Mr X decides to bring his friends and have a great time, but wanted bigger cabins than on is previous cruise. So he charters two barges and has a wonderful holiday. Whilst he was cruising, he starts to talk with the owner of the charter barge about how this barge thing is just so incredible. The barge owner suggests to Mr X. that it would be a good idea if Mr X. builds his own boat.
So the guy says "how much for one like this?"
The barge owner says "About 750 thousand Euro"
"OK" says Mr X, "I'll send you the money and make sure it's as good as this".
Well you can imagine what the barge owner is now feeling... We'll call him Mr. B (B can stand for what ever you like). Mr. B now has a million dollars in his hands.
Mr. B, goes off to Belgium and buys a 50 metre barge, as most of the French canals are only for 38metre boats, the barge has to taken into a ship yard and have 12 metres removed. Once that is dine, the boat is imported into France and taken to a fairly remote location where the rest of the conversion work is to be undertaken.
The months pass by, Mr X is informed by Mr B that there will be delays and more delays... So eventually Mr X calls in help.
So here I am looking at a half converted barge, that is already 6 months behind plans. It was moored along side Mr B's own hotel barge. Before going aboard, I walk up and down the quay and look at the hull.
I thought it a shame that the hull hadn't been sand blasted whilst it was being cut in half in the dry dock. That would have saved time...
I continued to examine the hull, which looked in fairly good condition, well compared to Mr B's hotel barge, which although with only two years service had some incredible dents and smashes around the bow. When I mean dents, I mean the steel has been pushed backwards 10-15 cms with the shape of a large ball, and not just once. I was hoping that the new pilot of the new vessel was not to be the same as the person, who had been bouncing the other barge in and out of locks.
As I heard the main engine of Mr X's boat starting up, I went to the stern to take a look, a bit smoky, but nothing that an engine overhaul could not clean up. I noticed the cooling water trickling exhaust of a generator, which was pumping very blue, I was sure that I had told prior to my visit that the generators were brand new. As I looked at Mr B's barge which was moored along side, I realized that there was a very new air cooled generator on the stern. Perhaps the mechanic had installed the new generator on the wrong barge... I thought !
A small van arrived and parked beside the boats, the van appeared to belong to the local "plasterer", three young men climbed out and started unload dozens of plaster board sheets to take on board the barge being converted. I said hello to the boss and asked how business was going. He told me things were great, lots of work to do. He explained that his company was really happy to install the bathrooms on this barge, he had never worked on boats before and was really enjoying the challenge. I mentioned to him that it was quite unusual to use plaster-board on boats, even if it was treated against humidity. He replied in saying that's what he always used in houses.
What also struck me at this time, was that the barge was already drawing about 1.55 metres, they had only just started to fit out the first of five bathrooms on the lower deck, and need a total of 60 sheets of plaster-board. Now plaster-board is fairly heavy, plus all the windows on the upper deck had to be fitted, all the wood panelling, all the furniture, the stainless steel kitchen and much more. So in the end that would be quite a few more tonnes of weight, being optimistic, let's say the barge ends up drawing 1.7 metres. Mmmm, those portholes where already set quite low on the water line !
Well this all means that there would quite a few canals where the boat would not be able to cruise, and a long gang-plank would be required to moor up anywhere else.
The surprises continued to surprise me with the methods and techniques being used, no plans just ideas, no budget just spending...
In the afternoon, Mr X arrived and greeted me, thanking me for my time and advice prior to the visit. Together we looked around his luxury conversion and then headed off to a nearby bar to discuss matters.
He asked me about my experience on hotel barges, which I explained, we talked about the business side, the client side, the crew salaries and approximate costs of converting an old barge into a luxury hotel. I indicated a total price, which I calculated based on other conversions which I had seen in recent years.
When I announced this figure, Mr X's mouth dropped and there was a look of pure frustration. "I've already passed that number... and we're only have way through". He explained that there was no fixed budget and he just wanted the best.
After a few hours we said good-bye and would remain in contact. A few days later I sent a complete report, detailing what I had seen. The next day I received the following reply from Mr .X
"I found major problems that I must address. So it is probable the barge will be sent back to Belgium for more work and I do not expect it to return for 6 months. 4 months in Belgium and at least 2 months with the current contractors."
I'm not sure what your feelings about Mr B. are, it is clear that he's having fun ripping off Mr X.
As for Mr X. who is very rich, I just do not understand how he became so rich and yet remains so naive.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Season 2007 Midi closed ?
We've been hearing reports that the Canal du Midi may be closed to all traffic for this season, or at the best only open to boats with a very shallow depth 60-80 cm !!!
This is very bad news for all.
The hotel barges will have to change their routes and programs.
All on the river Rhone and Saône ?
Some of them will may decide to cruise up to the Burgundy or the Centre.
As for the self drive, I heard they'll be able to cruise, but in convoys which they say will help save water.
The images we saw of the Saint Férreol reservoir showed almost no water. However it has been recently emptied so that renovation work could be done.
This is very bad news for all.
The hotel barges will have to change their routes and programs.
All on the river Rhone and Saône ?
Some of them will may decide to cruise up to the Burgundy or the Centre.
As for the self drive, I heard they'll be able to cruise, but in convoys which they say will help save water.
The images we saw of the Saint Férreol reservoir showed almost no water. However it has been recently emptied so that renovation work could be done.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Pencil and paper
Living on a boat offers many magical moments.
When I have time to relax my favourite spot is in the wheel house. A bird's eye panoramic view. It's like sitting in a tree with a dominate 360 angle look-out over the surroundings. You can watch people passing by on the tow path, fish jumping and basically have a very agreeable time.
So as to not waste these precious hours posted in the wheel house, I'll grab a sketch book and pencil, choose a view from one of the windows and start to draw the scenery.
As we move the barge up and down the rivers and canals, there is always something different to draw.
Not that I'm a good artists, not at all, I never even show my sketches to my wife. I'm also impulsive, so I only use coloured pencils which saves me the time of having to set up all the equipment if I was painting. I just open my pencil case, flip a A4 page and draw.
I remember the basics of using perspective from TD lessons in school, but some expert advice from a specialist would be very helpful.. The regularity of the canal with the tow-path, trees lined up like soldiers and the rolling distant hills are easily traced with a sharpened HB. I love the way the canal can be either so straight, vanishing into a far away spot, or serpentine with slow curves taking their time to meander along the slopes.
Shadows and shading are also interesting, changing with the seasons and hours. In Autumn the shadows are long and pronounced as the sun lays low in the sky line, or very dark and short at midday in the hot summer.
Up to this point, things generally work out well. Where my skills fall down to childlike drawings is when I try to trace peoples’ faces.
There are so many characters in the Burgundy countryside, with expressions, wrinkles and smiles, and I’m incapable of translating them on to paper. This is where I could really take a course in an Art School and benefit from some teaching, I’m even considering taking some time to take a course on line. If only I could trace the red wine stained nose of the lock-keeper, his puffy cheeks and that gapping smile with missing teeth! Or the rounded body of Miss ???? as she leans against the rails of the lock door. If only... then my drawings would come alive. Perhaps I should just stick to taking photos of these people and give them justice.
Talking of cameras, I’ve encountered an American who spends a lot of time in the Auxois region and is a professional photographer. Mike Long is displaying some of his photos on the web, if you have a few moments take a look and see how he has captured some of the magic of the canal, reflections in the water and the colours. Burgundy is not as spectacular in offering natural light as the Provence, but it is a second best. Anyhow, if you’ve not had the chance to visit this area or know the canal like the back of your hand, have a look.
When I have time to relax my favourite spot is in the wheel house. A bird's eye panoramic view. It's like sitting in a tree with a dominate 360 angle look-out over the surroundings. You can watch people passing by on the tow path, fish jumping and basically have a very agreeable time.
So as to not waste these precious hours posted in the wheel house, I'll grab a sketch book and pencil, choose a view from one of the windows and start to draw the scenery.
As we move the barge up and down the rivers and canals, there is always something different to draw.
Not that I'm a good artists, not at all, I never even show my sketches to my wife. I'm also impulsive, so I only use coloured pencils which saves me the time of having to set up all the equipment if I was painting. I just open my pencil case, flip a A4 page and draw.
I remember the basics of using perspective from TD lessons in school, but some expert advice from a specialist would be very helpful.. The regularity of the canal with the tow-path, trees lined up like soldiers and the rolling distant hills are easily traced with a sharpened HB. I love the way the canal can be either so straight, vanishing into a far away spot, or serpentine with slow curves taking their time to meander along the slopes.
Shadows and shading are also interesting, changing with the seasons and hours. In Autumn the shadows are long and pronounced as the sun lays low in the sky line, or very dark and short at midday in the hot summer.
Up to this point, things generally work out well. Where my skills fall down to childlike drawings is when I try to trace peoples’ faces.
There are so many characters in the Burgundy countryside, with expressions, wrinkles and smiles, and I’m incapable of translating them on to paper. This is where I could really take a course in an Art School and benefit from some teaching, I’m even considering taking some time to take a course on line. If only I could trace the red wine stained nose of the lock-keeper, his puffy cheeks and that gapping smile with missing teeth! Or the rounded body of Miss ???? as she leans against the rails of the lock door. If only... then my drawings would come alive. Perhaps I should just stick to taking photos of these people and give them justice.
Talking of cameras, I’ve encountered an American who spends a lot of time in the Auxois region and is a professional photographer. Mike Long is displaying some of his photos on the web, if you have a few moments take a look and see how he has captured some of the magic of the canal, reflections in the water and the colours. Burgundy is not as spectacular in offering natural light as the Provence, but it is a second best. Anyhow, if you’ve not had the chance to visit this area or know the canal like the back of your hand, have a look.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Cold steel in a heated world
The canals and barging should be a hot topic for all of us. They're now telling us that the world is warming up. The motorways and roads are jammed with trucks and cars driving in all directions, burning our precious fossil fuels at an alarming rate.
So why do they not take a closer look at the old fashioned canals and rivers as a method of reducing heat and C02 emissions?
There are already thousands of miles of waterways which were constructed more than 100 years ago, but they are in a poor state.
A typical freycinet barge which can carry 250 tons of cargo and is the equivalent of 10 trucks. This also means 1 diesel engine instead of 10, that's much less pollution. Plus you can use a 200 HP engine, whereas most of the modern day trucks are 350 and more, that's a lot less oil being burnt for the same job. The life expectance of a cargo barge is easily more than 50 years with three motors being used, whilst the average truck last 5 years.
You can also consider the difference in material which is necessary for the construction and maintenance, between canals and motorways. An efficient canal can be built out of stone and earth, you use vegetation to preserve the solidity of the banks. Try and do that with a freeway.
The canals provide an important reserve of water and rapidly create a natural biological reserve. People can use the tow paths for pleasure such as walking and cycling. I'd like to see you take a family stroll along the M6!
Most canals and rivers I know are falling into oblivion, state finance is almost zero and the people employed are on the bottom end of the civil service (no offence). Simply up-keep is a very low priority and in many cases non-existent, as the dykes and feeding streams to and canals are abandoned and over-grown. The locks and sluice gates leak and the loss of water is very important. The reservoirs are silted up and unable to provide the quantities of water for which they were originally designed. I even know of a reservoir from which the water cannot be used for the canal, but is reserved for a nearby camping site and the canal officials receive a yearly bribe!
Barges instead of trucks?
What about the loss of jobs you shout aloud ! Well just think a bit more, I reply. Imagine if the canals where operating 24/7 this would create jobs. If we replanted the trees along the canals and rivers, this provides wood to harvest. The reservoirs provide natural sources of food. I can give many more example of job creation.
What about the difference in transport time you shout aloud! It takes weeks to deliver the goods! I say it's easy to anticipate ordering material such as sand, stone, wood and steel a few weeks in advance. Especially with all the technology that we have today.
So who is against the development of barges and canals? It's very easy to cite the huge corporate lobbies defending the interests of companies such as Ford… There would many less engines being sold… . The amount of road accidents which be greatly reduced as cars and trucks would not have to battle every mile (do they really care).
Such short sightedness on their behalf… once again.
But they, whoever they are, will have to begin to seriously consider thinking.
So why do they not take a closer look at the old fashioned canals and rivers as a method of reducing heat and C02 emissions?
There are already thousands of miles of waterways which were constructed more than 100 years ago, but they are in a poor state.
A typical freycinet barge which can carry 250 tons of cargo and is the equivalent of 10 trucks. This also means 1 diesel engine instead of 10, that's much less pollution. Plus you can use a 200 HP engine, whereas most of the modern day trucks are 350 and more, that's a lot less oil being burnt for the same job. The life expectance of a cargo barge is easily more than 50 years with three motors being used, whilst the average truck last 5 years.
You can also consider the difference in material which is necessary for the construction and maintenance, between canals and motorways. An efficient canal can be built out of stone and earth, you use vegetation to preserve the solidity of the banks. Try and do that with a freeway.
The canals provide an important reserve of water and rapidly create a natural biological reserve. People can use the tow paths for pleasure such as walking and cycling. I'd like to see you take a family stroll along the M6!
Most canals and rivers I know are falling into oblivion, state finance is almost zero and the people employed are on the bottom end of the civil service (no offence). Simply up-keep is a very low priority and in many cases non-existent, as the dykes and feeding streams to and canals are abandoned and over-grown. The locks and sluice gates leak and the loss of water is very important. The reservoirs are silted up and unable to provide the quantities of water for which they were originally designed. I even know of a reservoir from which the water cannot be used for the canal, but is reserved for a nearby camping site and the canal officials receive a yearly bribe!
Barges instead of trucks?
What about the loss of jobs you shout aloud ! Well just think a bit more, I reply. Imagine if the canals where operating 24/7 this would create jobs. If we replanted the trees along the canals and rivers, this provides wood to harvest. The reservoirs provide natural sources of food. I can give many more example of job creation.
What about the difference in transport time you shout aloud! It takes weeks to deliver the goods! I say it's easy to anticipate ordering material such as sand, stone, wood and steel a few weeks in advance. Especially with all the technology that we have today.
So who is against the development of barges and canals? It's very easy to cite the huge corporate lobbies defending the interests of companies such as Ford… There would many less engines being sold… . The amount of road accidents which be greatly reduced as cars and trucks would not have to battle every mile (do they really care).
Such short sightedness on their behalf… once again.
But they, whoever they are, will have to begin to seriously consider thinking.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Dry dock, wet feet
A 38 metre hotel barge has just arrived for the dry dock at Saint Jean, she cruised down from Dijon after spending winter in the city's port.
Once the dry dock is ready, the barge enters and is moored in place with ropes keeping the boat in the ideal postion, whilst a diver places 8 steel "chairs" underneath the barge in line with the water tight compartments. Slowly the water is emptied and the barge will sit on the chairs.
During the last week of the 2005 season, the barge and hit an "unkown" object on the canal, which made a hole below the water line, she has been pumping water ever since.
Now the repair work can be done, the crew will also clean the hull with high pressure steam cleaners and "re-tar" the metal.
Saint Jean de Losne, on the river Saône and the entance to the Burgund canal is a strange place. The smallest town in land size of France, very friendly and intreseting because of it's importance to barge people.
Generally you hate the idea of having to go on to the dry dock, more often than not, it means you have a problem with your barge. Once your there, you'll have to wait your turn, as the other boats always spend more time then planned due to unforseen reasons. Finally its your turn and when your boat is succesfully mounted in the dry dock, you're relieved. Whatever the problem was, it can now be repaired, or maybe you're in for a surprise.
The whole is much bigger then you thought...
Worse, you can't find the hole even tough you where taking on water!?
The rudder is also bent.
There are many scenarios.
Well for me the best thing about Saint Jean is going to the cafe, after a day on the high pressure cleaner, spraying all the alga off the hull. No matter how water-proof your clothes are, you're always soaked, but at least you have clean feet when you take off those soggy socks.
Cheers...
P.S. It's raining.
Once the dry dock is ready, the barge enters and is moored in place with ropes keeping the boat in the ideal postion, whilst a diver places 8 steel "chairs" underneath the barge in line with the water tight compartments. Slowly the water is emptied and the barge will sit on the chairs.
During the last week of the 2005 season, the barge and hit an "unkown" object on the canal, which made a hole below the water line, she has been pumping water ever since.
Now the repair work can be done, the crew will also clean the hull with high pressure steam cleaners and "re-tar" the metal.
Saint Jean de Losne, on the river Saône and the entance to the Burgund canal is a strange place. The smallest town in land size of France, very friendly and intreseting because of it's importance to barge people.
Generally you hate the idea of having to go on to the dry dock, more often than not, it means you have a problem with your barge. Once your there, you'll have to wait your turn, as the other boats always spend more time then planned due to unforseen reasons. Finally its your turn and when your boat is succesfully mounted in the dry dock, you're relieved. Whatever the problem was, it can now be repaired, or maybe you're in for a surprise.
The whole is much bigger then you thought...
Worse, you can't find the hole even tough you where taking on water!?
The rudder is also bent.
There are many scenarios.
Well for me the best thing about Saint Jean is going to the cafe, after a day on the high pressure cleaner, spraying all the alga off the hull. No matter how water-proof your clothes are, you're always soaked, but at least you have clean feet when you take off those soggy socks.
Cheers...
P.S. It's raining.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Earth views of the Canal
There are some interesting views of the Burgundy Canal using Google Earth.
This link give a great view of the canal entrance at Saint Jean de Losne, with the basin and dry dock.
This link shows a 38 metre barge heading upstream.
This one shows a couple of smaller boats in lock 64.
For the moment only the southern part of canal after is available in HiRes images, from lock 63 down to Saint Jean de Losne, but I guess in the next few months more will be available. It's still possible to see the trace of the rest of the canal, but trying to place the locks is slightly more difficult.
You can also connect Google Earth to a GPS for real time navigation, but its very difficult to get lost on canal.
I've almost finished plotting every lock along the Burgundy canal, plus some of the interesting places along side. I'll publish the file in the next few days...weeks.
Let me know if you also find interesting places on these incredible images.
This link give a great view of the canal entrance at Saint Jean de Losne, with the basin and dry dock.
This link shows a 38 metre barge heading upstream.
This one shows a couple of smaller boats in lock 64.
For the moment only the southern part of canal after is available in HiRes images, from lock 63 down to Saint Jean de Losne, but I guess in the next few months more will be available. It's still possible to see the trace of the rest of the canal, but trying to place the locks is slightly more difficult.
You can also connect Google Earth to a GPS for real time navigation, but its very difficult to get lost on canal.
I've almost finished plotting every lock along the Burgundy canal, plus some of the interesting places along side. I'll publish the file in the next few days...weeks.
Let me know if you also find interesting places on these incredible images.
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