We would like to get back to Roanne asap so we will travel most days unless it is raining - the forecast is varied with the odd rainy day. Our first stop was Gannay sur Loire. It is quite a big port but was full of boats that had returned for the winter. So we moored bankside on stakes. All was fine until 2 heavily laden commercials went past about 2 metres from us. We felt them coming as the barge started to move violently as they sucked all the water from the canal. As they got close I leaped off the boat and grabbed the ropes as they ripped all our stakes out. A nice chap from the boat behind came to help and grabbed the stern rope. We swung well out from the bank and there was a bit of excitement as we pulled it back in. We then moored to trees, before the second commercial arrived! All was then well. These were about the only commercials we had seen this trip, and had forgotten what enormous suction they have.
The weather had turned rainy so with our more securing mooring we stayed for a second night before heading off to Beaulon. This is a lovely mooring with free power and water. There was a French chap and his girlfriend who had taken a year off and bought a horse drawn caravan - his web site is http://www.roulenroutes.fr/ . He organised everyone from the boats to join him at a picnic table for drinks and nibbles - after a very pleasant time we had an early dinner and headed for bed.
Our next stop was Pierrefitte after a fairly easy day. Then off to the Roanne canal the next morning.
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