Monday 28th May Variscourt

Yet another bank holiday in France, no wonder they are in economic meltdown. Still we had the mooring to ourselves by 9.30 as the ever routine obsessed Dutch had breakfasted and departed at 0900 hours give or take a second. We were just enjoying tea in bed so were sadly unable to assist with lines.

We were bread less. A calamity. Then at 1030 as I sat on the bank sulking, Collette cried out. Andrew, I think they are delivering bread. I had heard the hooter but had ignored it. I grabbed shoes and wallet and started a cacophony of whistling shouting and whirling of arms. Did the trick, I was chuffed to see Patrick's boulangerie van reversing towards me. Our. Smiling baker was out of c roissant but good for baguettes. She promised to return tomorrow and ensure I got croissant.

We expected a raft of picnicking French families but nearing lunchtime, we were still alone. We mounted the 2 pedal powered Harley's and sought out guignecourt. The town was as every French town on any day. Ghostly. No people, no sounds no tv no music radios etc.it is quite bizarre.

We set off toward Neufchâtel. Home town of a very nice and favoured cheese. Several farms were advertising asperges and fraise. We were seduced as we knew it was the height of the asperges season. After a perky bonjour welcome, the young farmer looked a little crestfallen as I ordered 4 stalks of his 7.5€ per kilo box. In matters asperges size matters. The boxes were priced every half euro from 4 to 11 per box I thought I might look a little practiced at least by going middle of the road but clearly he was expecting a rather heftier order. I supplemented and gained some credibility by purchasing fraise and eggs and some salad.

The cycleway into Neufchâtel was through a stunning arbour through the woods with the sun searching out ways to pierce through the rich foliage. Delightful. .

We crossed back over the canal and decided on the shortest route along the towpath which looked very overgrown and unkempt but hey no the crews coxsic was giving her serious trouble and we were 5kms from the boat. Riding was a nightmare through grass and weeds and nettles waist high but somehow it was all great fun.

After a total of 21 kms, It was a relief to see Doucette and we immediately noted 2 new Dutch flagged arrivals. A fairly big steel Pedro in front and dwarfing beyond them a 26ft saga boat.

We sunbathed and had a doze but I was woken at 6 ish by the arrival of a steel leviathan carrying, rather incongruously, a speed boat on his Davits. I was watching him pass when suddenly noted he was spying a spot in front of the saga. Bloody tight and with that the murderous sound of stern and bow thrusters crushed the tranquility. The leviathan edged sideways. Fair play he got in. The saga was swamped. 20 minutes later the saga capitulated and moved up behind us where there was room for him. He seemed crestfallen and pretty miffed so I attempted consoling words. I quickly realised his knowledge of English was based on the word "indeed and yes" normally in the same sentence but he did throw the order around A bit. Now I am no one to talk being pretty limited in Dutch myself but it became more and more hysterical and I started making up increasingly long sentences knowing the reply would be a beaming "yes indeed" Precious!

6.30 is Dutch dinner time and old Dutch produces a beautiful crocheted white cotton tablecloth complete with dangling corner weights, silver cutlery and dinner service set amongst the trees. It made a lovely scene. He sensed I was watching. I nodded in admiration. He managed to return the nod but with an aire of "yes we are a class act" sort of self confidence.. I am beginning to think that they are nice enough but a definite edge of arrogance about some Dutch boaters. Mr indeed however, is certainly not from this mould

7.30 and i inadvertently inaugurated the shower tournament. I retrieved my hot bag of water and set about rigging it up in a tree close to the boat. Before I had finished I noted the old Dutch chap in front go below and retrieve his sun shower bag, he filled it and put it on the wheelhouse roof. Within moments leviathan erects a 8 ft pole in the bank and attaches a hose from the leviathan to a shower head atop the pole. He stripped in a thrice and was under a torrent of water. Old boy had to wait for heating so was third under. Despite the competition I enjoyed a magnificent shower with this most underrated accessory. Mr indeed did not get involved.

.we barby'd duck legs and herb crusted pork chops both a little disappointing unlike the merlot. Noted that leviathan and old were sharing drinks excluding fellow countryman, yes indeed. I felt sorry for him!

We took a late evening stroll to take pics of the fowl and feed the other horses taking in a bushy tailed red squirrel sighting prior to a coffee and bed.

 

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