Tuesday 24th July Richardmenil

Awoke and checked iPad. Parcel on course for delivery. At 11 I got astride the steel steed and climbed the hill to the poste. The lady she say no. The really bad news is, la poste closes at noon and that's it for the day. What the hell can I do!

I set up camp in the hotel bar restaurant opposite and upset the patrons. They are sat having lunch before the rush starts at noon. He looks a bit grumpy, she looks worse and mother looks like she should have snakes whirling round her head and I should be instantly turned to stone. Patron knocks me up a grand cafe and I take up vigilante station on the patio. It's 11.15.

Just before noon I drift back to the poste. Madame gives me paper and I write a note to TNT which she allows me to stick on her door, asking them to deliver to the bar en face. Opposite.

I return to the bar and order a beer whilst explaining my predicament to the patron. He is happy to oblige and writes out the hotel address on a card. Not sure what I should do with this but suspect my French has not been perfect again. I am joined by 3 luncheoners. They eat while I enjoy another beer.

The vigil is looking like a test of endurance so I decide on eating too. Madame is still not smiling much but I order plat du jour. charcuterie starter very nice with half a baguette. Main is a stormer. Freshly cooked thick chips and a escalope francontoise. A huge veal escalope covered in a goose featherlight duvet of cheese souffle. No salad and a pichet of vin rouge. Parfait.

Half way through lunch I am approached by a 10 year old on a 10yr olds scooter. He is enquiring as to wether I can spare a cigarette. Shocked and horrified I give him my sternest "non" reposte and off he scoots to report to his waiting chum that the Englishman is indeed

a pig!

Guess some things are the same the world over!

I struggled through my glorious escalope Avec duvet and now smiling madam produced my dessert of fromage.Some soft centred Brie and a slab of delightful goats cheese.

At 14.34 I saw the white van pull up at the post office and watched the chap read my note. I leapt up from my goats cheese and waved frantically. He waved back, got back in the cab and drove out. It was one of those, turn this way please nervous moments, but he pulled straight across and the starter was delivered.

I sat back down and finished my 50cl pichet feeling pretty relieved. Now it was a question of would it do the trick? Also, a bloody heavy big box, how to get it back?

I unpackaged it and got it into a pannier. The hotel patron took the rubbish for me and my 22 euros for the coffee beers wine and 3 course meal. Not bad I thought! The escalope francontoise had been quite superb.

The sun was baking hot and it was nice to freewheel most of the way back down to the boat where the crew were enjoying some shade. I was so very nervous fitting the new starter. Of course it was not straightforward as it was slightly different in design and consequently was catching on the Pre solenoid relay bracket. I was forced to hacksaw a slice off of the bracket but this did the trick.

It was at this moment that my day dramatically improved. Stacey rang to give us the fantastic news that she had passed her very significant latest financial exams which she had worked so hard on for the last 6 months. Only 38per cent passed and her results were outstanding so mum and dad were very proud and chuffed for her. Nice one stace.

Back at the coalface and matters arising. In no time all leads were attached and I had to turn the key. It was butt clenching moments, I turned and the little beauty burst instantly into life. I was totally chuffed but suddenly felt drained.

It had been quite a few minutes. I turned to drink, a large gin and tonic was swiftly downed. I text smeds to give him the good news and as Collette set off on the steed for vittals, the guru phoned for a catch up and to congratulate me on getting Doucette sorted. You really are a diamond geezer smedlar.

Collette came back with vittals And a much needed beer top up. I had a sleep in the sun on my new chair listening to a bit of Mozart and relaxing in thoughts of two working engines. I was disturbed in my slumbers by el presidente and serge. They come for the money. They enquired as to progress and were visibly delighted that all was fixed. El prez said I only need pay 4 euros as this was my last night. Much gratitude displayed by me and I gave him 20. He gave me 14 change and a chit with 4euros on it. I just didn't have the heart to tell him he had short changed me. The thought had been so welcomed and nice. We said our last fond farewells and they wished me Bon voyage. More nice French people!

We drifted through the rest of the evening sipping cold beers and hot tea. It was still bloody hot at 10pm. I was horrified to see some young german kids leaping from their grandads boat into the canal. I wanted to shout "dont do it there are bloody vipers in there" but thought I may look a tad foolish.

As for dinner, We just never felt hungry and gave dinner a miss. Fluid was the order of the day and besides we had to toast Stacey's success. Well done baby! It had been a hell of a day and we retired looking forward to getting under way again in continuing our campaign journey tomorrow.