Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th July 
We spent 3 nights in Reims.  Tuesday we did the sightseeing bit, visiting Reims cathedral and Mars gate (built by the Romans in the third century).

Reims Cathedral

The Chagall window

The Mars Gate

We went to a light show at Reims cathedral at 11pm. There was a technical problem with the computer and projectors and it was cancelled. It reminded me of the Monday meetings at Alder Hey when the projector would not work.  We decided to stay another night to try again next day. Again they had technical problems but went ahead with a black line across one side of the cathedral. It was all a bit odd but very French.

The Light Show

Thursday 26th July
We moved 10km further up the canal to Sillery. On the way we passed several boats, including two hotel barges, which must have left Sillery that morning. At Sillery there was just enough space for us. The quayside must have been full the night before so it was fortunate that we had stayed the extra night at Reims.
The weather was very hot, 90F in the shade with no wind; we used our electric fan for the first time. Sillery is a rural area but it was not very peaceful as a local farmer was harvesting his crops, as well as the combine harvester noise there were lorries going back and forth ‘til after midnight.

Sillery

French war graves next to the mooring

Saturday 27th July 
Friday was another very hot and humid day with dramatic thunderstorms in the late afternoon. We stayed up very late watching the Olympic opening ceremony (not sure if Mr. Bean or Betty’s skydive was our favourite moment) as a consequence we are feeling a bit lethargic today. Managed to move the barge along the quay so we could hook up to electricity and water. Planning to move on again on Monday.