Germany by Accident

The Howse family from Wolfe Island arrived in Strasbourg on June 17, having spent a few days exploring Paris first.  After wandering Strasbourg we set out up the Canal de la Marne au Rhin connecting Strasbourg with Nancy.  Unfortunately, the canal had sprung a leak several locks up the system and was unable to keep enough water in lock number 47 to actually lift the boat.  Several commercial boats, a few vacation rental boats and a handful of cruisers and barges were stuck in the system.  After consulting with a variety of folks tied on to the canal banks in a wonderful mix of French, English and German, we decided not to wait around for the lock re-opening which might be a whole week away.  The other option available to us was to head for the mighty river Rhine flowing fast through Germany. 

Serendipity.  After eight months travelling in France we have discovered that Germany has just as much to offer!

The Howses are now on their way back to Canada and we are heading north on the Rhine, dodging cruise ships, heavily laden barges and rocks in the middle of the river.  The Rhine will take us to the Netherlands via German cities such as Bonn, Cologne and Dusseldorf. 

Had we turned east a while back, we could be heading to Berlin and Budapest.  Maybe next year.