A bargeman, his wife and sister-in-law navigate the canals of northern Belgium in their two vessels, the eponymous "L'Hirondelle et la Mésange," taking the time to appreciate the sites and landscapes they encounter along their way. Like many in his trade, the mariner supplements his income by transporting occasional contraband. The tranquil rhythms of their nautical lives are interrupted, however, when they hire an ambitious new pilot.