On the Rhine

Rhine Ferry above Rhinau

The Rhine is not what is was a century ago when is spread out for a mile or more in the watery plain between Germany and France.  Now it is a tamed raised channel with concrete sides and deep ditches to the sides. Massive 1960's built locks - you can guess how attractive they are beside large weirs which are EDF energy hydro electric power stations.

Jointed Commercial Barge

So it is all a far cry from the canals that we have been used to and in addition everyone speaks German Frist then French and none of the lockkeepers in these large locks speak English (not that I'm saying they should)

Wetland Nature Reserves near Rhinau

From your vantage point in this sterile channel you can't see much except the tops of the trees in the wetlands to either side.  Glimpses or the Black Mountains in Germany on the left as you go up and the Vosges Mountains in Alsace on the right.

On the Rhine

In a lock with Commercial vessel

We followed the maps in this book on the Rhine

In another lock behind large commercial

Waiting to go in.  Other boats coming out - notice start of cruise ship and in front an inflatable canoe!

Leaving a lock

We cruised from Rhinau to Niffer and stopped for the night in Breisach - the only place that it was possible to stop

Some Swallows took a rest on the boat. Nature reserve just before Mulhouse

Back on the Canal system heading for Mulhouse

By the end of each day on the two day trip our engine room was boiling!