Chateau Gaillard 26.7.25
This morning soon after we awake we find ourselves descending in a lock before continuing our leisurely progress along the Seine. Paris is around 38 yards above sea level so we do not have a lot of falling to do – unlike the huge locks on the Douro river.
As we progress I note that one bank usually consists of chalk cliffs for a while with a wider expanse of farming lands on the other side of the river. After breakfast an attempt to sit out at the rear of the vessel is deemed too noisy whilst going outside further forward turns out to be a little breezy. The early morning sunshine appears to have vanished behind cloud, although it will probably return later. Towards the end of the morning we reach our first destination of Les Andeleys. However it is pleasant to sit in the cabin and watch France pass by.
After lunch we are taken to where there should be a waiting coach to visit Chateau Gaillard. (Parking close to the mooring point is not possible). However it has not returned from the first trip and we are standing around waiting. After a few minutes we decide that we would prefer to walk back through the village and take some photos and then return to the boat as the alleged shuttle service is not shuttling. We gather it did a little later but we do not feel we missed out on anything. Chateau Gaillard is notable on the hillside above and I find standing for any length of time difficult – it is easier to keep walking.
Les Andeleys 26.7.25
Les Andeleys is a combination of two villages and judging by the café we saw we were in what was petit Andeley. Attractive Normandy architecture and a Notre Dame church apparently makes it typical of the area. Once everyone is back aboard we are soon in progress again for Rouen which is tomorrow, a new city, but no packing and unpacking. We gather that there was some form of contretemps in the upper car park and the coaches were trapped and unable to return to undertake the shuttle – so out of the control of those involved in organising the trip – but it did feel like that there was a lack of attention to detail – but it seemed to be a one-off.