Tuesday 18th June Nivernais, thanks for the memories

We spent most of the morning looking at sunshades in Carrefour, LeClerc brico etc but could not source exactly what we wanted so returned emptyhanded. I decided to recharge the gas which was practically out and with availability so close it seemed a good idea. We had Bacon sandwiches as a treat for brunch where we started thinking about smeds setting off on his long awaited adventure. Good luck buddies.  34 degrees today and seriously hot as we slipped the mooring and headed out of the Nivernais. It had lived up to all expectations and we vowed to be doing it all again pretty soon. I asked the eclusiers advice on the town mooring in Decize. Yes no problems, turn left and it is a navigable channel but avoid the left bank which is shallow. I round the bend and head toward the far side of the 50m wide channel. Just over half way across and I start to cut across to the far side. within minutes I was aground in the Loire. With the props making that horrible scrunching sound as they turned in soft mud and a sea of brown stained water swished around the stern, I knew I had to get out rapid or i would be stuck fast. It was not nice, certainly not clever but I had little choice. The river was not going to suddenly rise in this heat so a buggered impellor was cheaper than a tow I figured. With a last push on the throttles I c losed my eyes and hoped. We crawled astern and like a cork out of a bottle doucette suddenly lurched as she freed from the glue and the wash was suddenly clear. A glance at the temp guages and all seemed fine. Close escape that one.
 
A change of canal/river brought a change of lock types with a pull cord giving entry into the newly finished locked port of Decize.

 The marina was a very nice set up, spotted Arger safely tied up. Paid our 9 euros per night and waited patiently for the capitinnaire to come and turn our electric on.
We took the bikes into town. The heat is quite incredible and even the pharmacie sign is wilting as it provides the 46 degrees temperature reading. We have an Ice lolly to try and cool and tour this nice little town. We Stroll into a painting exhibition with a sculpture on loan rom the Louvre. A serious piece and a very proud and friendly chap enlightens us about it as he sits guarding the precious sculpture.

Off to Intermarche for Vittals where we buy a much needed second cool box and investigated more shades. Our return to Doucette is potentially a record for a single load. We carried the coolbox, a rack for BBQ to cook sardines, 15cans lager, 24 bottles Leffe, 3 bottles of rose, 8 litres of water, 1 litre of Yo and 2 litres of squash plus meat cucumber and figs, pretty impressive uh!
 Salmon and paella for dinner was another digestive delight and I was chuffed to speak to Smeds at Newhaven having completed his first leg. He reported a starter motor problem and may need help in aquiring a replacement when he gets across the channel tomorrow. also need to report that the bloody Gnats are hacking us off big time at the moment and we have heard that the gnat problem has been headline news in France due to the heatwave and stormy weather.