Trip 17kms. Departure 11.30 Locks 3 of 89
Steve and I mounted up to cycle the 8 Kms back to Lumes to get the car. We had been tasked with getting vittals for
tonight on the return journey. I also wanted to find the post office where the startermotor was being delivered. We tracked the address to a small office in the suburbs. I was horrified to find a notice on the door saying it was temporarily closed for renovation. Panic! I deciphered from the notice that any deliveries would be re routed to another office close by. I just was not meant to get this bloody startermotor. After 30 minutes of going round in circles we eventually discovered that due to roadworks it was impossible to get to the address by car. This was just unbelievable. We gave up and put the Carrefour finder in the sat nav. Set off for munchester as the sat nav lady called it. The Carrefour was a tiny corner shop. we were flummoxed so returned to the boat.
We set off early for a trip up the famously scenic stretch of the Meuse towards givet and the Belgium border. It is fair to say that the scenery was to prove particularly spectacular. Unfortunately the weather though was far from perfect. It was pretty chilly as we left but bri was sporting a new fashion look so stayed nice and snug even if he did look a bit of a knob
. I managed to miss our turning and found myself having great difficulty getting Doucette back en route with the current and a very strong wind not helping the entry into this narrow lock entrance. Got there in the end and into the lock we went. The lock gates refused to close. Tried everything and finally knocked the lock keepers door. There was a Vnf van parked outside. A middle aged women came to the door and gabbled something about they will be here soon as a sheepish chap looked on from behind her. "At it then" chorused the girls, typical women we tutted.
A Vnf man turned up some 10 minutes later and we were soon on our way with Smedlars taking the helm. It was more exhibition stuff as we slipped into a most stunning lock.
We endured a sudden squall which was a mix of driving rain and then hail stones and within minutes it was sunny and steam was rising off of the bordering road.
It was a mad day weather wise. Needing to get back
tomorrow morning just in case the starter motor made it, we decided we should go no further than chateau Regnaut. We got to the halte to find it full with 2 Dutch chaps sitting on a very long steel barge which took up most of the quay. Steve called out to the chaps obviously keen on permission to raft. The Dutchman turned and immediately looked away. It was the rudest most ignorant reaction and I was seriously peeved. We weighed up options which were limited. I called out in French the chap turned waved a hand down river and effectively was telling us where to go. I shouted that I wished him a Bon vacance but the boys tell me it was said in a very aggressive and angry tone. Fair enough I said. We headed back down river and finally found a spot to moor. Steve did a brilliant job of bringing us safely alongside.
I set up the satellite for the start of the euros and the guys went into town for vittals. They got attacked by a nasty dog but survived to tell the tale.
With bri acting as technical advisor, we got a great picture for the footy, the girls settled down below whilst we sat up top and fished. After a brief rain stop there was the most remarkable double rainbow. Beautiful.
Bri continued recuperating and had got bored fishing so went inside and entertained himself
The lamb was cooked on the cob and was absolutely magnificent with yet more dauphinoise, carrots peas and a superb cauliflower cheese. All were on top form as we gorged ourselves and laughed ourselves to sleep.
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