Update for Week 10 - posted May 20

Our question last week discussed what might be the most effective way to trigger the automatic lock mechanisms.  The primary response was to call the lock keeper.  Due to circumstances Julie and Colin are currently travelling overland, so haven’t yet encountered the auto-locks.   They will be re-launching their boats later this week and may then get a chance to transit the automatic locks.

Currently Julie and Colin are near the town of Hirson which is in an agricultural region about 250 km from Calais.  From here they will continuing travelling towards the Rhine River.

Question for Week 10 - posted May 20

Near the city of Nancy, France, there are two potential routes that Julie and Colin can follow.  They can launch their boats in the Moselle River which takes a meandering route to the Rhine River or they can take a canal/bike route which enters the Rhine further upstream.  With the Moselle route they will need to paddle upstream against the current in the Rhine, while the canal/bike route will enable them to travel with the current.

Poll: 83% of you said take a canal and bike route to a location further upstream the Rhine River.

Update for Week 9 - posted May 13

Britain is separated from France by a strait known as the English Channel.  Over the years this shallow body of water has captured the imagination of Britons and there has been a growing trend to try crossing it in any way possible.

The English Channel has been traversed by swimmers, rowers and even a pedal-powered airplane.  Recently one young chap succeeded in crossing the channel in a bath tub, and was later invited to visit the queen to celebrate his feat.

You may be wondering what kind of boat the first inhabitants of Britain used to cross the English Channel.  Interestingly, they didn’t use boats at all – they walked across.  Over 700,000 years ago when the first humanoids migrated to Britain sea levels were lower and a land bridge connected France to Britain.  Higher water levels later closed this route and settlers of Britain had no choice but to stay put.  It would be many thousands of years before they developed adequate maritime skills to return to continental Europe.

Julie and Colin recently rowed across the 40-km gap separating Britain from France.  They departed from Dover, famous for its white calcium-carbonate cliffs and arrived in Calais, France.  They will now travel towards Germany rowing along French canals.

Last week we asked what would be the best weather conditions for rowing across the Channel: light tail winds or no winds. 54% of you voted for calm conditions and those conditions would have been best, but on the day of the row the winds were from the ENE at about 10-15 km/hr. Because of the way the current was flowing and because the winds were quite easterly they slowed down the rowing and created choppy waters.

Question for Week 9 - posted May 13

Julie and Colin will be travelling on the French canal systems which have automatic locks.  The doors open when a sensor detects an approaching vessel.  The problem, however, is the sensors often can’t detect small vessels such as canoes or rowboats.

How should Julie and Colin try triggering the sensors?

Wave their oars vigorously upon approaching the lock. Carry more metal in their boats. Yell “Open Sesame” upon approach. Call the lockkeeper.

Poll: 54% of you said that the best way to open the automatic sensor locks on the French canals was by calling th lock keeper.