Having picked up two more crew in Nancy we set off for our second Cruise-in-Company
organised by another A.N.P.E.I. region: two weeks, 8 French boats and some 19 friendly folk this time.
Back we went along the way we had come to the junction with the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre
which we turned up, onwards to the very lovely River Sarre and into Germany. Memorable days and nights:
a lot of cruising through superb scenery in very warm weather; amazing Bastille Day fireworks interspersed with
Mozart’s music and life story - this being the 250th anniversary of his birth - in Sarreguemines, on the
Franco-German border; trips ashore to sight-see and shop, followed by aperitifs and ‘auberge espagnole’:
delicious impromptu meals on quaysides where we all emptied our larders and pooled our culinary efforts;
another apéritif with a Mayor; more hilarious line-heaving, wellie throwing and boules, Richard and Rosaleen
practising and rising to the ‘serious’ challenge of serving up 20 hot Irish coffees all at the same time.
No lack of entente cordiale!
The rally ended in a big marina in Konz on the Moselle. There was no suitable mooring at our true destination,
Trier - Trèves to the French - but a five minute train journey took us there. Apparently the oldest town in
Germany: one-time capital of the Western Roman Empire when it was known as Augusta Treverorum, it was
founded in 15 BC and much fascinating built heritage remains dating from that period, including the most
impressive Roman gateway: the Porta Nigra.
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