HIGH RIVERS AND FAST FLOWS

We're stuck in Auxerre for a bit longer than anticipated as the river is closed for navigation in both directions. We're in the middlle of the worst floods here for 60 years! It's rained and rained for days, the river is running very fast and has risen by about half a metre. It's a good thing we're in a boat, and just go up with it, rather than in a house. 

The local paper. This garage looks a bit damp! Is there a car in it?

Huge logs/trees keep passing us and the ducks just can't make any headway upstream. They end up going backwards and eventually give up and fly instead! 

The river next to the lock, 100 yards from us. I think we'll stay put for a while!

The unfortunate people in the boat behind us have given up and gone home. They hired the boat on Sunday for a week, did a days cruising, arrived here yesterday just before the river closed and all 8 of them sat in their salon, crowded, getting bored, cold and dejected for a day. This morning they hired a minibus and went back to collect their cars which were left about 15 miles away. Don't think it was their best ever holiday. What a shame!! It could have been so different if the sun had been shining or the river hadn't been closed. Even the expensive hotel boats aren't going anywhere.