2024 · Cruising

Moret-sur-Loing to Montceau · 2024

South again,
with family aboard.

From Moret-sur-Loing we travelled through Saint-Mammès and Montargis, then followed the waterways past Châtillon-sur-Loire, Sancerre, Nevers and Decize.

The journey continued through Diou, Paray-le-Monial and Palinges to Montceau-les-Mines, where Maria was moored for winter after 113½ cruising hours and 111 locks.

17 May—11 August113½ hours111 locks

Reconstructed from our cruising record · schematic waterway route, not GPS

Above the Loire

A waterway in the sky.

A helping hand in Briare

Absolute stars.

At Briare we met Ian and Lissette, another lovely couple — something that happens wonderfully often on the waterways. Kaz was back in the UK, and I needed to move Maria. Normally that was a job for the two of us, but these two stepped in and helped me manoeuvre her.

Fantastic people, and such a great help when I needed it. Absolute stars.

Ian and Lissette smiling aboard Maria among the flowers, wearing lifejackets — Ian and Lissette — a helping hand at Briare while Kaz was back in the UK · 2024.

Ian and Lissette’s barge Catharina Elisabeth moored alongside a quay — Their barge, Catharina Elisabeth.

Harry joins Maria

A familiar face. A willing crew.

Harry joined us for time on deck, a turn at the wheel and a little fishing—with Oscar for company.

Harry beside a red and grey train on the journey to join Maria — On our way to Maria.

Harry cuddling Oscar on Maria’s deck beside the wooden hatch — Harry and Oscar settling into life aboard.

Harry wearing a lifejacket and holding Maria’s wooden wheel in the wheelhouse — Taking a turn at the wheel — and concentrating hard.

Harry holding a fishing net and shrugging beside the canal aboard Maria — No fish today.

Flo joins the crew

A suitcase, and a shipmate.

Flo arrived ready for life aboard. Among the flowers on Maria’s deck, she and Oscar quickly made themselves at home.

Flo arriving on the marina pontoon pulling her suitcase — Flo arrives ready for life aboard.

Flo hugging Oscar on Maria’s deck among blue tubs of flowers and the wooden hatch — Flo and Oscar quickly became shipmates.

At home on deck

Room to relax. A view to remember.

Harry stretched out with arms and legs relaxed on Maria’s wooden hatch in sunshine — Spread out, Harry.

Fireworks lighting the sky above Maria’s deck furniture and parasol — Bastille Day from the deck of Maria.