Wednesday 22nd August Dijon to plombieres- les Dijon

Trip 6kms departure 10.30 locks 5 of 384

We waved to the departing kiwis as we left the boat to slip over to the intermarche for some vittals. It always takes much longer than anticipated. Now you don't get this at morrisons though, I got some Borneo marinated pork slabs. Yes Borneo! This would be interesting. Farce et legumes for a spag Bol. Is mincemeat with added veg. Seems you cannot buy it straight. Always have to have a shilling on the side. But hey ho the crew have been nagging me for a spag Bol so game on!

As we returned and crossed the lock, the young girl eclusier recognised us and waved. Perfect I shouted we would depart in 1hour. We breakfasted on poached eggs and marmite soldiers. Luvvly jubbly.

One hour later we slipped away from the dodgy finger pontoon and waved farewell to a gorgeous city. The first lock is just 1 km away and on arrival, I am amazed to see the kiwis bankside and a barge just exiting.

We follow him in. I engage.

What the hell happened.

(in a heavy new Zealand accent) "we told the Vnf when we were leaving. Got here and been waiting ever since. Had coffee and made best of the sunshine. No worries."

I was not sure I would have been quite so easy about it. Must have been in excess of two hours. To make matters worse for them, they ha the front spot and so took the hammering from the surge as the locks filled. Each lock, I gathered more personal detail. Very nice couple but as I pointed out to the crew, another second marriage. This was becoming a repetitive story on the waterways. Was this a safe venture for a happily married couple of 32 years I joked.

We were never going to make the 5 locks before noon so again it would mean a lunch in a lock. The kiwis were happy to tie up on the bank as they had no problems in their boat and were happy for us to go in front.

I made a corned beef hash for lunch. Been fancying it for a while and have to say loved it. Only problem was it was cooked just as the kiwis and the eclusier turned up to press on, so I had to eat mine on the hoof and was unable to give it the time and attention it deserved. Consequently rushed it and it repeated on me all day. Consequently rushed it and it repeated on me all day.

Once through the fifth lock we arrive at Plombiers. A very pretty basin. We wave to the kiwis as they surge on doubtless pleased to see the back of us. They had to het back to Lagarde east of nancy for winter so were just going 70kms up the Burgoyne then turning back. We would meet again and have drinks we had hoped. Consequently rushed it and it repeated on me all day.

The basin used to have finger pontoons and all facilities but the pontoons now derelict were heaved up on the towpath. We tied off next to a stunning uk flagged barge. A moster, it was just immaculate. Obviously a live aboard. Every rope was coiled beautifully and not a scratch on the pristine paintwork. Collette was incredibly taken by the huge air conditioning unit on the deck.

A group of French were enjoying an extended lunch of rose rose and rose. One of their number was something of a conjurer and did trick after trick after trick to a happy but I suspect wearying audience. We were amazed at the number of cyclists most of whom Were attired in garish Lycra matching shirt short outfits, hurtling past the boat on the towpath. We decided to join them dressed somewhat more conservatively. Consequently rushed it and it repeated on me all day.

It was a great ride, the towpath was ideal and it was easy to see why it was so popular. We practically hurtled wigginesque style 5 Kms upstream to velars sur ouche. Where we left the towpath and returned on the inland route. We stumbled on the aqueduct carrying the tgv trains through this ouche valley.

An old chateau had been converted into stunning houses and apartments and the whole village seemed to be based on the chateau outhouses. With the ouche running through it, just gorgeous.

It had been a refreshing and lovely ride and gave us the chance to come back through the centre of Plombiers. Another very nice town. Arranged with the Vnf man for a 10am departure before settling down to beer to cool off.

Collette cooked the rest of the haricot bearer and I lit the magma for the Borneo brothers. Tasted fab in a Borneo sort of way. I cannot even start to describe the flavour but can testify that it was very nice. Consequently rushed it and it repeated on me all day.

As we prepared for another session in the boudoire I noted 3 dodgy looking youths messing by the lovely peniche bow next door. I jumped outside bristling with drink inspired confidence as the tallest one started to climb up the bow. Thankfully a chap walking a large Alsatian intervened before me and set the surly gits on their way. They had been very lucky indeed!

 

Posted with Blogsy