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Aboard the AMAROK
September 2012 - Page 1
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The main entry into the walled city of Aigues-Mortes.
Sept 1 - Hung out in Aigues-Mortes in the AM
1:45 PM - Dep Aigues-Mortes
2:00 PM - Rejoin Canal du Rhône à Sète northbound
3:30 PM - Arr: Gallician, free tie-up at PdP
Today: 7.4 mi - 0 locks - 1.8 hrs
Toured local Mas de Notaire winery, with
wine tasting. Beautiful place, excellent wine!
1:45 PM - Dep Aigues-Mortes
2:00 PM - Rejoin Canal du Rhône à Sète northbound
3:30 PM - Arr: Gallician, free tie-up at PdP
Today: 7.4 mi - 0 locks - 1.8 hrs
Toured local Mas de Notaire winery, with
wine tasting. Beautiful place, excellent wine!
Sunday, September 2nd -
10:30 AM - Dep Gallician
11:30 AM - turned L to follow Canal du Rhône à Sète
12:15 PM - Arr: Saint Gilles, tied on wall w peniches
Just in time for major grape harvest festival,
and the Running of the Bulls in the evening!
Today: 9.5 mi - 0 locks - 1.9 hr
10:30 AM - Dep Gallician
11:30 AM - turned L to follow Canal du Rhône à Sète
12:15 PM - Arr: Saint Gilles, tied on wall w peniches
Just in time for major grape harvest festival,
and the Running of the Bulls in the evening!
Today: 9.5 mi - 0 locks - 1.9 hr
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A bumper-boat attempting to pass "Jumbo" on the
Canal du Rhône à Sète just north of Aigues-Mortes.
Canal du Rhône à Sète just north of Aigues-Mortes.
Click to see larger image...
The beautiful golden Cathederal of Aigues Mortes.
A "Scary" boat passing us on the Canal du Rhône à Sète,
but only a hint those to come on the big Rhône River.
but only a hint those to come on the big Rhône River.
| This turned out to be a very fun stopping place, even though it's a bit off our direct route north. |
A Salon de Coiffure Ambulant in St. Gilles.
The Bull Fighting Arena in St. Gilles. Next fight in Oct.
(Mouse-over to see the inside. We snuck in!)
(Mouse-over to see the inside. We snuck in!)
Docked with the barges in St. Gilles.
I've seen boulangeries and boucheries, but never a carrosserie!
At 7:00 PM the Fête de St Gilles concluded with the Running of the Bulls!
(After this parade, the cowboys chased a bunch of bulls down the streets.)
(After this parade, the cowboys chased a bunch of bulls down the streets.)
Monday, September 3 -
10:45 AM - Dep St. Gilles - we loved this place!
11:15 AM - Rejoin main route to Petit Rhône
11:30 AM - through the giant St. Gilles Lock
1:50 PM - Arr Jcn with the big Rhône, turned S.
2:15 PM - Arr Arles - but hard to find good tie-up
10:45 AM - Dep St. Gilles - we loved this place!
11:15 AM - Rejoin main route to Petit Rhône
11:30 AM - through the giant St. Gilles Lock
1:50 PM - Arr Jcn with the big Rhône, turned S.
2:15 PM - Arr Arles - but hard to find good tie-up
This is the only spot we could find to tie up in Arles. Not a user-friendly town for small boats!
The only place for
small boats to tie up
in Arles was a
single pontoon with
many (mostly local)
boats rafted to it. A
floating restaurant
(La Peniche) offered
rafting, but they had
space for only two
boats - and they
were "full". The
small hotel barge
"Estrello" kindly
allowed us to raft
with them, but after
an hour or so, we
decided it was time
to head upstream.
small boats to tie up
in Arles was a
single pontoon with
many (mostly local)
boats rafted to it. A
floating restaurant
(La Peniche) offered
rafting, but they had
space for only two
boats - and they
were "full". The
small hotel barge
"Estrello" kindly
allowed us to raft
with them, but after
an hour or so, we
decided it was time
to head upstream.
Sept 3, con'd - 3:30 PM - Dep Arles - headed upstream -
. only making 4-mph against the current
. 5:45 PM - into Beaucaire Lock - our 1st Rhône Lck.
. 6:30 PM - Arr: Vallabrèges - floating dock
. Today: 33.6 mi - 2 locks - 7.1 hrs
. only making 4-mph against the current
. 5:45 PM - into Beaucaire Lock - our 1st Rhône Lck.
. 6:30 PM - Arr: Vallabrèges - floating dock
. Today: 33.6 mi - 2 locks - 7.1 hrs
Mouse-over...
Cruise ship "Van Gogh". These huge cruise ships are designed to just fit into the Rhône giant locks.
Heading back up-river from Arles, our trusty Garmin
GPS shows a ground-speed of only 3.9 mph.
GPS shows a ground-speed of only 3.9 mph.
The current on the Rhône is quite visible here.
Our first Rhône lock . Awesome, but really quite easy.
Entering the giant Ecluse de Beuacaire.
Sept 4 - 10:00 AM - Dep Vallabrèges
11:45 AM - turn L. into branch of old Rhône
12:15 PM - Arr: Avignon - tied to wall at PdP
Much more friendly for small boats here,
(A great town, stayed here 3 nights.)
Today: 12.4 mi - 0 locks - 2.3 eng hrs
11:45 AM - turn L. into branch of old Rhône
12:15 PM - Arr: Avignon - tied to wall at PdP
Much more friendly for small boats here,
(A great town, stayed here 3 nights.)
Today: 12.4 mi - 0 locks - 2.3 eng hrs
The famous bridge at Avignon. Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse...
Our convenient (and free) tie-up spot in Aigues-Mortes.
The tower, and port (under bridge) - and clouds - of Aigues-Mortes.
His & hers Porta Potties. Quite funny!
Tasting wine at the Mas de Notaire winery in Gallician.
We liked it - and of course, bought some!
We liked it - and of course, bought some!
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Close-up of barge behind us - see photo on left.
One of the (small) riders at the Fête de la St Gilles.
The Police Station in St. Gilles. Appearently not
too much business during the Fête de la St Gilles!
too much business during the Fête de la St Gilles!
Spectators crowd behind metal guard-rails to watch the activities.
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Aigues-Mortes
to Avignon
to Avignon
Mouse-over..
Sept 5 - Stayed in Avignon. See: Sept 2012 - Page 2