Trip 49 kms Departure
11am. Locks 4 of 353
I heard the boulangerie van klaxon at 8. At two minutes past Clementon was at the door informing me the bread vehicle had arrived. Nice one! Carla was excited to go get the bread and off she flew. while the guests showered and slipped swimmers on to do some early morning grilling,
Collette and I went for a stroll along the river bank. A small vineyard was of particular interest!
This really was a beautiful spot and it was a shame to be leaving quite so soon especially as we now had it to ourselves.
We breakfasted on fresh fruit, crumble and yoghurt. Lots of coffee for dan and tea for me. We eased away from the mooring stage at around 11.30 I just kept looking back at this beautiful vista.
Dan got settled On the bow and into his book, it was nice to see them easing into boat life.
At just after one we approached the sevouyeux tunnel. A small hire barge was waiting for the green light. After some wait I pulled alongside. The tunnel is closed til 1.30 for lunch. Bloody blimey I can see the other end it's only a tiddler. We tied alongside and took advantage by having beers and a cheese and pâté and bread lunch on the foredeck. Very nice. Before we knew it, we were off again and entering the tunnel.
The sun was clearly getting to the amourous young lovers
I cut them some slack and refrained from any reprimands over neglect of duties in a lock as it was lovely to see them so happy. And besides I have a soft human side too, just ask the crew.
We were a bit envious of the swimmers enjoying the sandy beach and buoyed off bathing area. Dan almost dived overboard to join them.
We arrived at yet. Another stunning mooring location at about 5. Mantoche. It had been quite a long day on the river by our standards but as we turned the bend and spotted the halte directly in front of this quaint smallish chateau with beautiful trees and a grassy green as our quay between the river and the chateau. It was just idyllic.
Of course a Dutchman in prime spot had managed to utilise two spaces with his one boat and showed no inclination to move up a couple of yards so we headed for the shallow end of the quay. It was very shallow but we just about got in. It was a bit off putting seeing a dog in the water with water up to itsO knees about 1ft deep just 2metres from my stern but we were in.
Dan and Carla set up the badminton net and we had a fun hour exhausting ourselves and working up a thirst. We headed into town in search of a bar. Yippee at last. A friendly patron and after ordering pressing first up, we spotted leffe on tap. Skipper, crew and passengers were all very content.
we drifted back to the boat in buoyant mood stopping for a snap in front of the chateau.
We got back just in time to watch mo farrah become an olympic legend by winning the 5000m gold to make it a 5 10k double for teamGB. What a night!
The poop deck was a super setting for a lovely celebration dinner of baked Brie with cranberries and apple with smoked sausage and crusty bread for dips followed by BBQ rabbit and by request yet more haricot in garlic and lardons. We finished off with some Roquefort and puy Angloys with biscuits and a very nice bottle of Burgoyne Pinot noir.
It was after midnight when Carla shouted at us to join her on their forward bed. She was enthralled at the clarity of the sky and the number of stars seen through the wide open forward hatch. It was truly spectacular. Collette and I left them to the romance of it all and we retired so very happy to be enjoying their company. It had been another brilliant day!
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