Wednesday 18th July Lutzelbourg to Lagarde

Trip 49 Kms. Departure 10.45 Locks 10 of 209. Arzviller plane incline and 2 tunnels

I slipped up to the boulangerie for a gross pain and baguette and got the magma fired up. Apologised to our swiss hire boat neighbours for the early morning smoke but they we very cordial and interested in my sardines. Half a kilo bqd with a little oil salt and pepper, fresh baguette and a glass of bubbly surrounded by Lutzelbourg scenery and a sunny day was just about as good as a morning gets for this skipper. I am still amazed how the crew manages to de skin her sardines, for me the crispy and best bit.

 

We were ready for the off and slipped our mooring, Unbelievably right in front of two oncoming hire boats forcing them to slow down. I decided to do the decent thing and pulled over to moor just in front of the lock and let them go through first. Besides, I wanted to get a bit of video of the town which I had omitted to do. It turned out to be a good decision as there was absolute carnage in the lock with the hire boats getting into a jousting competition.

We had a cup of tea and by the time the lock was ready for us we had been joined in the queue by a German flagged boat. Our departure had not been quite so early as I had planned but c'est la vie. We have no hurry.

We exited the lock just in time to take up position directly behind a hire barge leaving the Locaboat hire base situated 200yds after the lock. Still c'est la vie, we have no hurry.

There are 5 locks in the short 3 Kms hop to the plane incline. The German was left out side the first of these locks as we joined the American flagged hire boat. "good morning America" I proffered.

They were over for 6 weeks for there annual Soujorn to the French waterways always hiring from the same company. Exotically they were from puerto Rico.

The lock went fine as did the following four. We approached the plane incline and were in luck as it was just emptying a single boat at the top and we had passed the tourist boat heading in the opposite direction. The puerto ricans tied up as did we and went to watch this engineering marvel in action. It was soon coming down so back to the boat.

As I started the engines I spied the returning tourist boat, bloody hell that was quick. He took no prisoners. Straight through and past us without a sideways glance. The buggers had preference and due to its size only the puerto ricans could fit in with it.

Time for a beer.

It was half an hour before the lift returned again loaded with another tourist boat.

It slipped out and in I went. By this time we had been joined by a German behind and a Frenchman at the rear.

Another great ride up but not without incident. The guillotine style gate had come down smashing the frenchmens davots and loaded dinghy. Quite an entertaining scene of flailing arms and frothing moustache but I was very impressed with the young Vnf man in charge who was totally unmoved throughout and just pointed at the large sign stating " owners travel at their own risk". Enough said.

We exited the lift. I felt like James bond as the cameras of the alighted tourist boat occupants clicked as Doucette became the star of the show. I ordered a shaken not stirred from the crew but only got a shaken and very stirred up crews response. Unreasonable in my humble opinion.

We headed off towards the long niderviller tunnel. Upon arrival, it was very satisfying to see the puerto ricans waiting for a green and as we rounded the final bend green it had flashed up. The puerto ricans went in first with Doucette a close second. Auf wiederhsein pet in bronze with the frothing French moustache running a smoking engined fourth.

The tunnel was cool and we found 5 boats moored waiting for us to get out. I recalled a week ago and felt their frustrated pain. All cheery waves and we were straight past and into the second much shorter tunnel hard on the heels of the Peurto ricans.

The wind had got up to such strength that the anal was producing small wavelets into our bow. The puerto ricans were cooking on gas and I was having to give it a little to keep up. By now I was aware of a certain proximity. I looked back to see the frothing moustache smoking like a pig as he bullied his way alongside auf.

I eased my throttles a tad and soon he was chugging alongside me. Black smoke billowing, it was like leaving jersey marina behind frammo in Betty b. frothing had gone into one over his dinghy and I was happy to let him go. I watched him take out the pert ricans just a couple of clicks on. Fourth to first had probably cost him 30 litres of fuel and a gallon of oil but he had made it. Allez les bleu I cried out into the unlistening wind.

Weather not great we decided to just drift on. By now we had lost contact with the leading two but auf was hot on my tail. Through xouxange where we upset a Danish sailor whos head just shook from side to side in a petulant display of absolute disapproval. I was put out as had dropped my speed to what I considered very slow but quickly realised he was probably still bouncing from the careering Frenchman and the chasing Peurto ricans. I was the final straw I guess. I looked back to see auf wiederhsein pet slip in alongside him. We were down to three.

I eased down on the throttles even more and enjoyed an unhurried run back to the fabulous rechicourt lock. It was almost comical to find the snarling frothing and now foaming Frenchmen and the very nice Peurto ricans waiting for us to fill the lock. They had been waiting for around half an hour. I smiled lots. The Peurto ricans were very chatty and very nice, they were trying to make Lagarde where they had a crazy old friend Monsieur Durrant who they had met 4 years ago. When he had realized they were Americans he had invited them into his house for drinks and had become friends. They had only asked him for the time! Lovely!

The lock was pretty straight forward. We were right at the back and the crew fretted a bit about the lock gates snapping us in half but no dramas.

We had lock issues on two occasions and it was 6.30 when we were approaching Lagarde. I suggested we stay bankside for a romantic proper canal mooring.

We had a brilliant night. Following sardines for brekky, the fish frenzy continued. I opened a bottle of Cremant fizz and we had half a kilo of huge fresh peeled prawns with avocado and salad. Superb.

I put the cod fillets on a bed of courgettes red peppers leeks and cherry tomatoes, sprinkled on some spices and a little butter and steamed them in foil bags on the cob. Waxes lyrical moment!

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We watched some deer romping in the fields opposite as the sunset and Charlie Parker blew his horn gently through the poop deck speakers. It was 11.55pm. Just time to make long lingering love to the crew before bed at midnight!