On our third day we woke to clear weather and set off from Trusey, the summit of the Canal des Vosges, for our next stop at Méloménil, 14 locks down to a picturesque free mooring. It was a lovely run down the canal, although some of the locks had quite rough sides, and often very wet and mossy.

Wet mossy sides of a lock near Thielouze

For dinner we sought out the nearby Ferme Auberge des Sept Pécheurs, a farmstay with dining, run by a delightful lady and her daughter and grandchildren. A salubrious establishment it was not, but we were provided with a delicious, substantial homestyle meal in a warm, inviting space. We enjoyed it so much we returned for breakfast the following morning! And we were also delighted to meet Peter, an older Swiss gentleman who was on a massive walking tour through France.

The next day was a sunny run through a further 13 locks to another free mooring by the delightful Auberge du Coney. Once again, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, although a relatively simple ride several kilometres to the spa town of Bains-les-Bains, if we had stayed for longer. Maybe next time, for we were keen to get on to Fontenoy-le-Chateau and beyond.