David's Diary: Sunday, October 7, 2001

Port St. Louis du Rhone, France

Our drive from Switzerland to Port St. Louis du Rhone took less time than we expected. We arrived, found our hotel, and then located Port Napoleon where Dragonsinger is being commissioned. After months of anticipation it was great to see our new boat, but frustrating to not get inside. Everything was closed because it was Sunday so we have to wait one more day to see the inside of our new boat. A few weeks after moving on board everyone will be complaining that they want to get off, but right now we are all eager to see inside.

Port St. Louis Canal

While we were in Switzerland the boat was shipped from Les Herbiers in the west of France to Port St. Louis du Rhone which is in the south not far from Marseille. Port St. Louis, as the locals call it, has the last canal on the Rhone river that provides access to the Mediterranean. Further downstream along the Rhone cannot be navigated due to shallow depths. An opening bridge closes the road to traffic while allowing ships to enter the lock between the Rhone River and Port St. Louis du Rhone.

During our stay we had to wait for the bridge several times. We were surprised at the size of the ships that made their way through the canal. Many looked large enough to cross oceans, but we also saw sailboats like our own getting ready to head through the canal and up the Rhone river.