After a breakfast of fresh croissants (courtesy of Malcolm and Bella) and a trip to the swings and slides, we set off through the L'Isle Adam lock for a relaxed afternoon's cruise. With only 4 or 5 feet of rise at each lock it is a straightforward procedure to lasso a quayside bollard - or at least it would be if they weren't so far apart! Twice the bow rope fell a fraction short, but we sent Malcolm ashore to do the job properly.

Just before Boran lock we had some CEVNI practice with a dredging barge showing a red board to port and a red/white board to starboard (pass to starboard and reduce wash). We were more worried about the securing line he had trailing across the channel which he only dropped at the last minute. At Creil lock, the eclusier made the international symbol for 'I would like to see your VNF license'. Unfortunately we had moored in the middle of the lock on the opposite side to the office so that meant a nice long walk - as he didn't seem keen to come out to us. Another lesson for us - always moor on the office side of the lock.

On arrival at Creil we found the Dutch had again arrived before us, taking all the best mooring spots. However it was nothing a lump hammer and a few mooring spikes couldn't resolve. Setting out for a look round the centre ville, we were disappointed to find Creil and its riverside neighbour of Nogent-sur-Oise full of drunks and youngsters with loud car stereos - the few restaurants resolutely closed. The municipal gardening consisted of a topiary duck - not enough to justify the stop, and the next morning we made a swift departure hoping for better things to come.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 17 nm

Total to date: 1688nm

Avg Speed: 4 knots

Duration: 4:15 hours

Diesel: 35 litres (est)

Mooring: Free

Electricity: N/A

Locks

L'Isle Adam

Boran

Creil

Min headroom: 5.25m

Min draught: 3m

Charts

Navicarte 24