AUTUMN AND GROTTES D'OSSELLE

The autumn colours have been superb. The colours are extraordinary and apart from today the weather as well. We think winter arrived today, rain of unusual quantities, however the forecast is good in days ahead.

Autumn on The Doubs

We stopped, sorry moored, at a village called Osselle. Nearby is an amazing cave system full of stalagmites and stalactites. It was about 6km distant, the sun was shining so off we went. We cycled to the 'Grottes' and arrived just in time to miss the tour. The next tour was in an hour at 4.30. We sat in the shade, there are lots of cliffs here and got progressively colder. At ~4.30 we were gathered for the tour underground. Yes it was amazing we walked ~1.5km and saw stunning formations but it was very cold and damp. They have 14km of caves. Fortunately we only saw 1.5km. We then walked the 1.5km back. We came out a couple of hours later it was pitch black and freezing. It had been a superb day the sun had gone down and the temperature had plummeted and we had arrived in far too few clothes. The cycle back was f...... cold. After a couple of stiff whiskies all good.

Margaret next to a stalactite/stalagmite? (Not sure what they are called when they meet and form a column.)

One of the many formations. I'm sure it had a name, well they all did. Don't get me wrong it is amazing, but there are only so many stalactites and stalagmites you can look at in freezing temperatures.

BYE BYE BESANÇON

We've had a great time in Besançon lots to do, see and scenically superb with the citadel looking down on the old town. Did I mention clocks? Well as they say more of that later.

Soraya moored adjacent to Cité des Arts, you can just see her if you zoom. Whilst these buildings might look severe they are old industrial buildings, now the Modern Art gallery with many other arts uses. We were the last boat to leave the moorings after a quick trip to UK (or in Margaret's case New York) as it closes at the end of the month for the winter. The reason is quite simple the Doubs can and does rise 5+ metres the river becoming a raging torrent. It's no surprise the authorities do not want the responsibility of boats going AWOL so the moorings are closed. Upon leaving we were navigating southwest and the quickest route is under the Citadelle. Here we go!!

Yes that small black square at the bottom of the photo is the tunnel that runs under the Citadelle. The problem is getting into it as it's only a fraction wider than Soraya with a current flowing across the tunnel entrance, but we made it without a scratch!!

VISITORS TO SORAYA

We had friends to stay on Soraya last week and navigated from Deluz which is on the Doubs/Canal du Rhône au Rhin to Besançon. Deluz is very small and doesn't even have a boulangerie but it does have a bar and a railway station. Very useful! The weather was great and the scenery superb with plenty of wildlife including herons and kingfishers much to the delight of the visitors.

Margaret, Brian and Orla in a lock on the Doubs

Next morning in Besançon Orla and I were very impressed by the local talent!! He was very fit and performed many amazing exercises including headstands, handstands, etc. He was obviously showing off as he only 'performed' when people, especially young women were going by. (That's why he performed for us and Soraya!!) This is one of his exercises which he did many times.

Local talent in Besançon

INSTALLATIONS

Came across a couple of interesting (my opinion) installations in Besançon. I'm quite unsure what the meaning of either piece is.

The first a concrete relief on a house.

????? Why three heads?

The second, a large installation in a field next to the river Doubs. From the symbols on the figures it is an anti nuclear protest. A couple of hundred life size human figures with dust suits, masks and gloves. 

A new addition to the protest installation.

SOME THINGS DON'T REALLY CHANGE

Firstly we did get out of the locked in pound. The director eventually turned up and it was announced that the pollution was not toxic and possibly caused by a local restaurant washing out? It was probably a grease film. No doubt words will be had!! So we were released at 4pm and we were on our way.

Now in a small town called L'Isle-sur-le-Doubs, looks like it's lost it. Great shame it's only really now a river crossing and a railway station. Interestingly whilst having a wander around we came across this photo from ~ later 1800's (not quite sure why it states 1718, photo no.?).

Late 1800's when the town had some employment and local economic power.

2015 - Same view, well the trees have grown.......

LOCKED IN - LITERALLY

This morning we got up early ready for the off, back down the Canal du Rhône au Rhin towards our winter mooring, in a month or so. We don't have any time pressure except friends from UK are meeting us at a arranged location in 4 days. Whilst making Soraya ready for navigation, VNF (the canal authorities) were buzzing round more than usual. On enquiring what was happening I was informed there was unknown pollution in the canal and the pompiers (fire men) were being called.

The pollution!

No chance of Soraya moving for a while so engine off, time for coffee. 7 hours later I'm writing the blog. So far countless VNF staff have appeared, pompiers, gendarmes, cité administrative, pollution analysis personnel and recently fisheries department. The lock gates at either end of the pound we are in are double red light, so it's no movement. Let's hope they sort it out today, actually the pollution seems to be going, let's hope we can make up some time tomorrow.

Visually quite interesting pollution in long silk like strings.

Latest update; the Director is coming and he alone knows whether the pollution is toxic or not. I enquired if the canal would be open today, lots of hand movements and peut-êtres. I followed with how about tomorrow, more hand movements and more peut-êtres, we will have to see what the director thinks.

BESANÇON

Two great friends in the same photo. Margaret on top of the ramparts of the Citadelle de Besançon and Soraya down on the River Doubs (Canal du Rhône au Rhin).

Margaret obviously thinking how did I get up here, Soraya thinking I'll never get up there. What, 80 tons of steel up a mountain, no way!

Seriously Besançon does have some amazing scenery, and a decent pub/restaurant or two.

STREET SCULPTURES

I'm getting worried about Geoff. He's starting to get very friendly with the sculptures on the streets.

Geoff with Les Madames de Dole

Geoff with Jouffroy d'Abbans de Besancon who invented the first steam boat to actually work. 

Geoff hugging a tree

He loves the Urban Gorilla Knitting. I think in Besançon I've got rather a lot of competition!