Cardo
Well-Known Member
We're now a few days into our journey through the French canals. Yesterday evening we went through the Amfreville lock so we're now in the non-tidal Seine.
There's something I'm trying to work out, though. We don't really want to spend much money on marinas. We've set up the boat to be pretty self sufficient so we only need occasional stops for water and fuel. I understand in places such as Rouen and Paris you won't find any free moorings, but as we travel along I'm hoping not to spend any money on moorings unless we're looking to use facilities.
However, I've noticed a particular behaviour from the locals and I'm unsure how to interpret it. Many times when we pass town pontoons someone will appear and wave us over.
For example, we just passed Les Andelys. We had been contemplating stopping in the Yacht Harbour for 30 mins to have a quick look around. As it turns out, as we were approaching the entrance we saw a sign saying the port was closed. However, a man appeared on the side waving us over. Now, is this man likely to be a passerby trying to be helpful or is he the local "harbour master" looking to take our lines with one hand and stick his other hand out for payment? Between the "closed" sign and the man waving us over, I was actually put off by the place and we ended up carrying on.
On a similar note, last night we were looking for a place to moor up for the night just past Amfreville lock in Poses. As we looked around, a chap appeared on a moored up mobo and waved us over indicating to raft up against him. We did so and he helped us tie up. As far as I can tell, he was a local with a private mooring who was simply being helpful. He pointed out the local restaurant if we wanted to eat and then went back into the nearby house.
So, from those of you who have experience, what does the behaviour signify?
There's something I'm trying to work out, though. We don't really want to spend much money on marinas. We've set up the boat to be pretty self sufficient so we only need occasional stops for water and fuel. I understand in places such as Rouen and Paris you won't find any free moorings, but as we travel along I'm hoping not to spend any money on moorings unless we're looking to use facilities.
However, I've noticed a particular behaviour from the locals and I'm unsure how to interpret it. Many times when we pass town pontoons someone will appear and wave us over.
For example, we just passed Les Andelys. We had been contemplating stopping in the Yacht Harbour for 30 mins to have a quick look around. As it turns out, as we were approaching the entrance we saw a sign saying the port was closed. However, a man appeared on the side waving us over. Now, is this man likely to be a passerby trying to be helpful or is he the local "harbour master" looking to take our lines with one hand and stick his other hand out for payment? Between the "closed" sign and the man waving us over, I was actually put off by the place and we ended up carrying on.
On a similar note, last night we were looking for a place to moor up for the night just past Amfreville lock in Poses. As we looked around, a chap appeared on a moored up mobo and waved us over indicating to raft up against him. We did so and he helped us tie up. As far as I can tell, he was a local with a private mooring who was simply being helpful. He pointed out the local restaurant if we wanted to eat and then went back into the nearby house.
So, from those of you who have experience, what does the behaviour signify?
