Entry into the French Canal System

We have had a very successful day and we are now moored up at Watten. 

4 locks negotiated

After the sleep of the dead, at 9.40am we contacted Trystam (sea) Lock on VHF 73 and we were told that the lock was ready and we could enter.  Even though we were a little nervous as to what sort of boat we would share this massive lock with we only had two small boats in there with us, so that was ok.  There were wires to put your rope around and we pushed away from the slimy, mollusk covered walls with our boat hook and broom pole, to stop our fenders getting caught up and our back awning from touching the ledge that over hangs.  The flow of water into the lock was extremely gentle, so no dramas. 

Trystram Sea Lock

Image of the marina and sea lock 

We then went onto Darse 1, a lock that is automatic, luckily another cruiser led the way.  It was a very, deep lock - 4 meters, very slow emptying until the last few minutes.  The next lock was Ecluse (Lock) Jeu Mail, this is the beginning of the Canal system and you can purchase your VNF license from there. We had already purchased ours on line, but the other cruiser that was doing the locks with us bought theirs there and then and were able to lock in with us, so very quick to do.

After travelling until 4pm we decided to look for a mooring and we were very lucky to find a nice spot at Watten.  It is still on the main canal, which we were concerned about but it is at a junction with traffic going to Calais and Gravelines and just after the lock at Watten so the massive barges are going much slower.  We were also lucky enough to find two free bollards to moor up to.  We have seen a lot of traffic on the canal but nothing massive, we were thinking this isn’t so bad but we have now seen enormous barges pass by since we moored up, and we are now going to reset the ropes, they are holding but to sleep tonight we’d rather be safe than sorry.  Our two thick 25 m ropes are coming in handy already.

We have ben told there is a market tomorrow morning at Watten so we will go and get our bread/bagette and have a look around.  Its BBQ for us tonight.  At Dunkerque yesterday when we walked around the town we came across a lovely fish shop where we bought some large prawns and fresh sardines.  We had the sardines last night and they we delicious, looking forward to garlic gambas tonight! 

Our Place for the night at Watten, notice the large Peniche (commercial barge) passing us?