Return to Home Base

A stop at Burano for Fuel

Scheduled to return Magnifique 7 on June 27^th, we departed Venice, stopping at Burano to take on fuel.  Our boat held 300 liters or approximately 80 gallons of fuel. 

The 40-horse power diesel engine ran efficiently, but the fuel gauge never moved off of full; perhaps the gauge didn’t function properly.  To be on the safe side, we took on some fuel at 1.70 EURO dollars per liter (7 U.S. dollars per gallon). 

Canale Silone

Confident we had plenty of fuel, we headed north up the Canale Silone, passing through the Portegrandi lock, which is closed between the hours of 12:30pm and 2pm; this time we turned left into the Fiume Sile and reached the busy town of Casale Sul Sile where we spent the night tied along the town’s bulkhead. 

Approaching the town of Casale Sul Sile

The town was founded in 1100 and was inhabited by the boatmen who transported goods and people to the nearby Venice lagoon. 

Remains of a medieval military fortification at Casale Sul Sile

The 14^th Century Torre (tower) Carrarese is all that remains of a once medieval military fortification that once stood here.  We found the adjacent 18^th Century parish churchyard active with energetic children at summer camp, playing soccer and other games.  Located along a major highway route, the community was busy with a stream of cars passing through town.

Cruising the beautiful Fiume Sile

We left early the following morning to motor the last hour up the Sile River and return the boat at the Houseboat.it/LeBoat Base of Lughignano Cendon.  This stretch of the Fiume Sile has several beautiful villas along its banks, with large yards and gardens. 

Grand Summer Homes of the Venetians

In earlier times, the Venetians had grand summer homes along the river.  The villas or homes we saw were still occupied and well cared for; one large home, however, seemed abandoned and appeared to be the grandest of them all in its day. 

A Grand Home in its day

What should have been an hour to our home base took longer than expected due to running against the river current; certain spots and bends in the river were quite narrow, requiring constant attention.  The Le Boat marina, located inside a protected basin, is accessed through a sliding bridge; we were to call when we reached the bridge to have it opened. 

The sliding bridge access into Le Boat Home Base

The opening through this bridge was very narrow and the river current was swift; having gained considerable experience, we successfully slipped through the opening. 

Houseboat.it/Le Boat Home Base at Lughignano Cendon near Casale

We motored past a boatyard and into a small basin where we were shown the space to med-tie the boat.  With bags packed, we departed the boat and finished paperwork at the office.  Mark completed the boat survey and payment for fuel. 

We submitted our list of maintenance items and list of suggestions for additional amenities.  With our bags in-hand, they graciously called a taxi for us to be transported to the airport and our hotel.  It had been a good trip and a good introduction to canal boating.  The huge fish nets, lovely fish houses, villages and beaches were all enjoyable.  We gained an appreciation of the rivers, canals, and lagoons, providing a better understanding of how the landscape changed through history and how Venice came to be.

If you would like more information on Canal Boating in Europe, or to book a canal boat trip for 2019, contact Mark Bunzel, (mark.bunzel@gmail.com) for information and briefings on canal boat trips in France and Italy now being planned.