YS LelleBelle: Valence - les Roches-de-Condrieu 14 May

Planning a long trip today, about 70 km and 3 locks.

And going upstream on the Rhone is a challenge! The closer we get to Lyon the stronger the flow. It has been raining so I suppose that contributes, but this really is something. And whirlpools, wow!

Leaving Valence st 7 am. Very good Marina, good facilities, beautiful surroundings. Beautiful scenery, when visible, that is no rain.

Manfred and company leaving the first lock of the day. We hope to meet up tonight in les- Roches-de- Condrieu. We have had contact through the day but they had to stop about 20 km away. It must be really tough for them travelling against the flow.

The town of Tain-l'Hermitage. This is a gastronomic town with good restaurants, including the excellent and very popular Mangevins await your visit, according to the Fluvial Guide

The town Tournon is on the other bank. This is where a fantastic engineer by the name of Marc Seguin, created the first suspension bridge in 1825. (Research needed)

Wildlife along the Rhone....face frontal

Profile

More wildlife

With other donkey friends

It is getting more picturesque along the Rhone and we pass more and more lovely villages. This is Saint-Vallier, where King Henry II's mistress, Diane Pontiers was born. Apparently she had a great influence on him regarding the cruel suppression of the Protestants.

And this is another lovely village, Andance, where the oldest suspension bridge still in service is found. This is where Marc Seguin tested his idea of the suspension bridge.

Trying to record the whirlpools under the bridge in Condrieu. It took a lot of extra power to get through, according to me. According to Carl, Lellebelle can manage anything!