Chateau-Thierry

What on earth... more French municipal art, we'll talk about that later !

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Our trip to Château-Thierry was somewhat hampered by the fact that several of the automated locks did not appear to be working for us.

The button was pressed for us to 'montant', this would prepare the lock for our entry. We would enter, moor up close to the mechanism, pull up the blue pole, and this should set the lock in motion.

There were several calls to VNF and they were always very helpful, but it wasn't until we were at the écluse of Charly that the lockkeeper explained that, as our boat was small compared to the other boats using the locks here, the radio control monitor wasn't picking us up as we often went to one side of the radar!

Knowing how to aim for the radar, the following locks worked like clockwork!

There was alot of work going on also to try to remove much of the debris from the river and thus help with the lock automation.

We had not seen another pleasure boat since Paris, and the river was running very fast. However, once through the lock at Azy, it seemed to become a much tamer river, and on the approach to Chateau-Thierry, we saw another pleasure boat.

Château-Thierry wasn't a town I had heard about previously, so it was quite interesting reading the guide and then arriving in its vicinity to recognize its importance thanks to the strategic position overlooking the Marne. It has always been a fortified site, and its military vocation persisted right up to the 20th century.

Reading from our guide I looked up to see the American monument on the hill and the cemetry of the Belleau wood remembering the bitter battles fought here by American and german armies.

Sprocket and I ad a lovely walk up to the monument which was stunning and prefectley mainained and manicured.

There were references to the battles in streets on the walk through town, remembering the lost dead and civilians and also a museum dedicated to American soldiers, of which there were some in attendance, it is the 80th aniversary of D-day this year.

Events at the Marne signaled the demise of Germany's aggressive two-front war strategy, known as the Schlieffen Plan; they also marked the end of the general belief, held on both sides of the line, that the conflict that broke out in the summer of 1914 would be a short one. Battle of the Marne.

The way that troops had moved in the days leading up to the start of the battle meant that the French and British had a solid defensive line that was compact. The Germans had halted their advance and had two armies along the banks of the Marne. On the 6th September 1914 the assault commenced. As the French 6th army advanced the German General von Kluck ordered his men to cross to the north bank of the Marne. This prevented the French from crossing. However, the move opened up a gap in the German line which was observed by British air reconnaissance. This identified a gap in German lines which the Allies were able to exploit during the battle.

The French suffered heavy losses against the Germans. It led to the need for urgent reinforcements being sent to the front. Famously, these reserves were ferried to the front by Parisian taxis. Some 6000 troops from the reserve arrived at the front and were instrumental in enforcing the German retreat. The success of moving the front through use of vehicles had a huge impact on morale in Paris. The 6th French Army pushed back the Germans. Legend or otherwise, the movement of reserves by public transport was highly effective. This Marne battle was also unfortunately the beginning of the use of 'trench' warfare which was to carry on for much of the first World War creating numerous deaths and casualties.

Sprocket's toys on guard!

Second battle of the Marne July 15-18 1918

Allied troops attacked the Germans' large Marne salient (i.e., a bulge protruding into the Allied lines), taking the Germans by surprise. Three days later, the Allies crossed the Marne, and the Germans retreated to their former Aisne-Vesle lines.

The town also still has the remains of an ancient fortress on top of the hill which is well worth a visit.

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Whilst staying here, we were joined by another three river boats, one from the UK and two from Switzerland, it was nice to realise we weren't mad for trying to travel along the rivers at the moment.

Unfortunately two of the boats occupants required emergency medical attention whilst ere, and seemed to think my french speaking and veterinary skills warranted me being the person having to arrange assistance in the middle of the night!

The pompiers arrived, didn't speak any English and hospitals were attended , all very efficient and no payment requested... and we had a doodle to stay for the night.....lovely:)

Before I forget.. back to the municipal art!

This is apparently related to Jean de la Fontaine who was born in Chateau-Thierry and was a poet whose fables rank among the greatest masterpieces of French literature, who'd have known?

Anyway, there were many whacky sculptures dotted around town ,quite a contrast to the sobriety of the war memmorials, and this one at the top of the page was by far my favourite, we also happened to be moored up right alongside.

I have heard of one of his fables ..

Le Corbeau et Le Renard

LE CORBEAU ET LE RENARD

Maître Corbeau, sur un arbre perché,

Tenait en son bec un fromage.

Maître Renard, par l'odeur alléché,

Il tint à peu près ce langage :

Et bonjour, Monsieur du Corbeau.

Que vous êtes joli ! Que vous me semblez beau !

Sans mentir, si votre ramage

Se rapporte à votre plumage,

Vous êtes le Phénix des hôtes de ces bois.

À ces mots, le Corbeau ne se sent pas de joie ;

Et pour montrer sa belle voix,

Il ouvre un large bec, laisse tomber sa proie.

Le Renard s'en saisit et dit : Mon bon Monsieur,

Apprenez que tout flatteur

Vit aux dépens de celui qui l'écoute.

Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage, sans doute.

Le Corbeau honteux et confus

Jura, mais un peu tard, qu'on ne l'y prendrait plus.

There was also a sculture of a snail and a tortoise which I have always thought was Aesop? what do I know.....

All in all a great few days in Chateau-Thierry, and Mike was happy as there was a chandlery across the river.