SPRING

Hivernage (winter mooring) has been great in Wambrechies (Lille). Everyone very friendly and inviting, definitely consider coming back again. However we are off on 01 May, after slightly longer in Wambrechies than expected due to family matters.  Getting in and out of the mooring is tricky reversing Soraya between a long line of Tupperwear (plastic boats) then round a very tight right angle before entry into the Deule. Our welcome committee is always on hand to assist if required, so far all has gone without incident. Fingers crossed.

One of our books of the French Fluvial (canals) has a statement similar to 'Hitch Hickers Guide to the Galaxy' which has the entry for the planet Earth as 'Boring'. Our guidebook dismisses Lille as 'Industrial' I really wonder if the writer has ever been to Lille, it's great and so much to do. We've yet to find the industry and our guests have all had a great time, especially in Vieux Lille.

Typical Vieux Lille

The cafe's, bars, restaurants, galleries, opera, (yes we had a night at the opera, I really went for the building!) and yes the retail therapy. All great and not to forget Meert for patisserie. Allegedly Charles de Gaulle used to come from Paris to Lillle just to go to Meert.

Slightly over the top Lille Opera interior

A selection of Meert 'cakes'

Upon leaving Lille for the start of our navigation we are generally going east with a south bias (across the north of France) exploring various canals/rivers and towns. In particular the Lens, the Arras, the Scarpe Superior & Inferior, the Somme, the Grand Gabarit and the Saint Quentin all with no fixed plan or itinary, aiming to find our way to 'Rance' (well that's how you pronounce Riems) and we all know what the town is famous for!

Could be a good place for hivernage, we'll see.