Wednesday 12th June A trip to the barbers for you my boy.

Eric & Gill were having Orange problems and when at 10am Stephane the young eclusier dropped by to apologise forgetting the auberge du centre was closed on Wednesdays, I asked him if he could sort out their problem on the phone. He could but would have to do it whilst passing through a lock, so they made an early start for it. I opened the 2 lifting bridges just ahead. I discovered how much hard work they were. 

Dipstick took 5 minutes of heaving to no effect before realising that there were bolts on the far side of the bridge requiring release for lift.

We spent the morning blogging, emailing and cleaning the shower. Problems with the wally was a bad sign and I hoped we had not made a mistake by not using the recommended stuff even thought it was hopeless in use.

We set off the short hop to Chitry les Mines, leaving this delightful village behind.

Just 6 locks and 4 lifting bridges over 8km, the second of the bridges being one of the last remaining original wooden lifters. No problem for my very own mrs universe.

 

 Stephane greeted us at the first lock and when I offered him a beer he declined. Flabbergasted I asked why, too much and a voiture accident, I will never touch alcohol again he smiled. I liked this 22 year old.

Chitry was run by Steve. Charged us 3.5euros for berth, 3.5euros for electric and 2 euros for water. Both water and electric were 40m away so had to borrow extra hose but electric no problem.The water was full of chlorine, it was a mini disaster and we had to use bottled water for tea. Chatted to a guy with a 125cc monkey bike. Fancy one for Doucette buts its 76kg.

Early evening I finally persuaded the crew to give me a haircut. I can report that despite her reluctance to snip, we set up shop on the quay much to the amusement of passing walkers and she made a fine job imho of course.

With a storm forecast for tomorrow afternoon we made plans to leave at 9am to get through 12 locks to Sardy, the start of the 16 lock staircase to the Nivernais summit before it hit.

At 9.30pm the crew made the momentous decision, as only women can, to get the washing machine out and wash all the bedding and underwear. Staggered with this development I retired from the chilly air that now prevailed onboard. How the hell this was to dry was beyond me. There was certainly  a frost aboard Doucette this night.