Puffin - a 1937 Hillyard sailing yacht

Wonderful. Fantastic that you’ve been able to do this

This makes for a blissful read. The idea of meandering through France, doing some cycling then leaving the boat if needed and returning at a later date to carry on the adventure is so cool

A few small updates…

The Seine was big and scary with giant barges and even bigger locks.

The Yonne was beautiful and quiet.

Lots of canals still closed.

Having a wooden boat is a pain. Discovered some rot in the cabin sides and toe rail that needed attention. River banks are a nice place to do some work in the sunshine and Mr Bricolage sells everything you need. Also have good supplies of epoxy, fairing compound and paint onboard so managed to do a decent job.

It was starting to get quite cold at night on a boat with no heating and the other one was keen to get somewhere warmer. Puffin is now all packed up for the winter and we will continue in April. Heading south on a train to Avignon for a week or 2 along EuroVelo 8.

A misty morning on the Yonne.

Some ducks.

A massive lock.

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Absolutely fantastic stuff!

That misty morning looks absolutely idyllic.

Lovely pictures<3

Any winter updates? One of my favourite threads.

This is a heroic thread. Absolutely love it.

This is epic. Beautiful boat and great pics.

Subbed, makes me miss my U-boat

Puffin is tied up for the winter on the Yonne. I will return in April/May to continue the journey to the med so no updates til then. Currently cycling along dusty roads in Cambodia…

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Puffin survived the winter tied up in France. A few jobs to do, mostly painting and varnishing but will save that for a sunny riverbank somewhere. We are keen to get to the med before the canals start to close again (water shortage already affecting some routes) so have set off along the canal du Bourgogne. Lots of locks, I think 189 til we reach the saone!

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Glad to see you on your way, this thread always makes me long for a sailboat again.

Sunrise on the canal du Bourgogne

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Amazing 😍

Absolutely stunning!

Wow! Love reading about the adventure.

Today we made it through the Pouilly tunnel at the top of the canal du Bourgogne. At 3.1km it’s one of the longest canal tunnels in France. Involved an inspection from the vnf (french river authority) to check we had life jackets, fire extinguisher and a bright enough light on board. They lent us a big torch as weren’t impressed by our little usb headlamp! The tunnel is well lit and completely straight so was very easy to navigate. Now it’s downhill all the way to the med, 94 locks and about 600km to go.

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Thanks for the updates.

Have you met any other boats that are going all the way to the med?

You’re welcome!
Met a couple last year who I think ended up getting hauled out and going by road due to canal closures. Haven’t met any this year yet though when we get onto the Saone and the Rhone I expect we’ll see a few more.

This is wonderful. I've never sailed, but I've spent at decent amount of time around the canals around and in London and can say without hesitation it was fantastic fun. I hope you reach the Mediterranean at a pace befitting such a boat, that sounds amazing.

In Lyon, descent of the Rhone starts tomorrow, a bit nervous about the massive locks. Bikes packed away in the forepeak, can be wobbly lashed to the mast on deck especially with wash caused by large/fast vessels. Should be in Sete in about a week.

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This might be a dumb question but without a motor are you using the sail to go down the canals? If so I'm surprised you get enough fine direction control.

Got a 6hp outboard on the back, not been sailing since the channel, mast is on trestles. Did meet an Italian sailor on the Saone who had an A frame and block and tackle to lower mast quickly, he was sailing between bridges, very cool!

Aah gotcha. Also, how have you not filled it with crap, I'd have packed a houses worth of stuff in there by now.