It was an early start today for our passage up the Charleroi to Brussels canal. The final 2km from Marchienne au Pont to the junction are a drab industrial stretch, although barges in the process of loading up were testiment that this is still a working commercial waterway. As we turned north into the canal we got stuck behind one such barge and had to dawdle along behind for the next three locks, which on this section are quite huge with a 7m rise. Each one was set against us involving at least a 20 minute wait. Once past Viesville the barge skipper waved us past as there would follow a long stretch before the next lock where we could get ahead.

At Luttre we passed a convenient looking canalside Champion supermarket and watched a pleasure bargee loading up with supplies from his trolley. Another time this would have made a convenient stopping point, but we were in the middle of lunch and undoubtedly the supermarket would be also. Instead we found a spot at the Port de Plaisance du Pont de l'Origine at Seneffe. Although this is signposted as reserved for members of the ASBL European Yachting Club we were invited to take a vacant berth near the entrance. We later found out why when the wash from passing barges sent unstowed items crashing around the cabin.

It is a mile along an adjacent cycle path to the town of Seneffe where we stopped first at the Chateau - completed in 1768 and still in the final phases of a major renovation project. The Chateau houses a museum of 18th century lifestyle with multi-lingual interpretation and video displays. The 22 hectare park includes a theatre, an orangery, an aviary and an ice-house. The town itself has a small selection of shops and supermarkets of which we availed ourselves before cycling back to the boat.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 15 nm

Total to date: 1839 nm

Avg Speed: 5 knots

Duration: 3 hours

Diesel: 20 litres (est)

Mooring: €6

Electricity: N/A

Locks

Marchienne

Gosselies

Viesville

Min headroom: 3.7m

Min draught: 2.2m

Charts

Navicarte 23

Geocart 2