After some pondering this morning, we decided not to wait on
the off chance that a mechanic would be available to fix our leak, but to head on
south instead. We need to get to Avignon on Wednesday, but once there we can
stay put for a day or two to get things sorted out if necessary. Meanwhile we
will keep topping up the expansion chamber and watching the temperature gauge.
So far, so good.
Leaving Valence at about 8.30, the most striking sight was a
ruin on a hill, so we photographed that.
A bit further on, we passed La Voulte-sur-Rhône,
and this impressive castle. It dates from the 15th and 16th
centuries, but was badly damaged in WWII.
If we had lingered in Valence waiting for the mechanic, our
fall-back target stopping place was a marina just beside this nuclear station
at Cruas: we have stayed there before, and it is not quite as scary as it
looks. We were pleased to see they have installed a couple of windmills – just in
case the nuclear stops, I suppose.
The river is wide and pleasant, but not enormously
photogenic at the moment. We liked this pretty church just before a lock,
however.
The third and last lock of the day was an 18-metre monster
(but tomorrow we will meet the 23-metre Bollene). There was an angel on a
pillar on a crag overlooking the port.
Also a seagull sitting on a marker post.
There was plenty of room in the port, and adequate depth,
despite dire warnings from various quarters. Also electricity and water, which
are always welcome.
Tomorrow will be another long day, to Laudun l’Ardoise, a
friendly port on a backwater of the old Rhône.
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