Awoke and my Swiss neighbour immediately informed me that barges were moving at 11 and so we could move up and both get electric. Very nice too and it decided us on an extended stay here as we had taken to the feel of the whole town. I had a chat with my other neighbour, a Britisher who was the owner of my favourite boat of the whole trip. The super vancraft "white egret". I took a picture of my one day boat!
We had decided on a new canopy cover for the back of the boat and had an address of a marine upholsterer over the bridge in Losne. We also needed bread and could see a boulangerie sign so off we went. The house was locked up, signs confirmed we were at the right, place and windows were open. I telephoned the number and left a garbled message in my worst French. Why do I get tongue tied when under pressure of time leaving a message?
Opposite her house a very well maintained peniche appeared from the mooring lines to have been a permanent fixture. Think it may have been an Irish Tarmac crew over for a weekend!
Yes the rope was attached to the bollard. The whole road had been tarmaced.
The boulangerie of course was shut all day. Obvious really as it is the day after a bank holiday Wednesday.
Incredible!
We strolled back over the bridge to st jean and headed for the fuel pontoon where white egret, was still waiting to refuel. He had left over an hour ago. Skipper made note!
I was looking for the snake skin to snap it as proof. Crew said after the storm of last night I had no chance, but there it was, wet and shrivelled and not so impressively big but as the picture shows Still a metre long. The crew were impressive in handling this grotesque reminder of vipers at large in the very near vicinity.
Off to blanquarts for the chandlery. I have now decided on migennes for winter lay up so not bothering to enquire here Though I can understand why it would be such a decent spot. The facilities and town are great. The chandlery is extensive. I purchased a couple of electric plugs to make a new splitter. We watched as the very nervous new owners of a steeler displayed wally like nervousness as she was lifted out for survey.
On the way back we saw a funeral starting at the old 15th century town square church. Two transit vans For the two coffins, posh ones but still an odd site to us. Not sure why the double funeral but there was a huge queu of mourners. Always sad to see!
Back at Doucette, I made the new splitter and did a couple of minor running repairs to covers whilst Collette went for bread. We late lunched on ice cold borgouyne aligote washing down merguez baguettes. Fab!
After lunch we headed down to the house of mariners. A small museum of the waterways and folk. Free entry, we spent an hour or so being fascinated in particular by the huge array of old photographs and of course now being able to recognise so much of the subject. Lots of boaty bits and pieces and books and we even purchased a new oil lamp for the poop deck as a momento of this visit.
Off to casino for water and wine and for once more water than wine. Bloody heavy but we purchased one of those old ladies shopping bags on wheels. Trendy one with white wheels of course. I asked the crew to pull it as some credibility needs to be retained but she told me to bugger off so did as I was told and lugged it back. Luckily I was wearing dark glasses.
We sat out back in the still searing heat drinking gin and rum. It was a relief when at about 9.30 the sun went behind the trees. I cobbed a chicken and cooked katofel to accompany it. I used my camping gaz grill to cook the potatoes and so was able to stay outside. The saloon was like an oven without turning the cooker on to cook.
Dinner was lovely, the crew was drunk on rum and all is well on Doucette.
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