Day Two
We were ready for the
adventure to begin. All three boats sent
crew back to the grocery store to stock up on items that had been overlooked or
forgotten the several trips beforehand.
We had a small electrical issue on our boat and were waiting
for it to be fixed - finally about 11 o'clock we were able to take off. Now
keep in mind, this is civilized France and the lock keepers all close for lunch
from 12 -1 .
Our first lock was automated. For some reason, George, Terri
and I all missed the orientation that included the spiel on locks. Thank
goodness we are quick studies and thank goodness the boat has fenders all
around it!
Two boats made it through but the third had to go back and
pull the switch. Our second lock of the day was manned but still, we do all the
work. We are locking up which means we come in below the lock, the keeper lets
water flow in and we get lifted up. It is difficult and next to impossible to
do all the work from the boat so it means that one of us had to be ashore. It came to be Georges job to jump ship, climb
the ladder and place our lines around the bollards. Once the lock keeper lets
in the water we rise up to meet George, he steps on and off we go!
After our second lock it was time to stop for lunch. Whew -
two locks then lunch - this is a pace we can all handle! But, because we had
such a late start we kept on going.
For the next five hours we slowly wound our way through the French
countryside. It was very peaceful and
serene. We started looking for a place to call home for the night and spied a
great location with picnic tables .
Garth pulled the boat as close to shore as he could and I jumped off
with rope in hand. George had the stern line and he jumped off too. As soon as
he touch land he realized he had jumped right into stinging nettles......so
George jumped back on and I walked up to the lock to handle the line. Through
the lock we went and a little while we found another location to try. Garth once again steered the boat over to the
shore and George and I jumped off. Now, I say jumped and you can picture it -
we are old - not elderly - just old. As Frank says once you are past forty you
just don't bounce like you used to!
Neither of us bounced - as a matter of fact at some point we both hit
the ground.....such is life. Bubble
holidays are for wimps...anyone can sit in a five star resort and be served
pina coladas - personally I am saving that for "elderly" . All three
boats got settled in, stakes in the ground and ropes tied. Frank & Carrie, and, Doug and Judy - here
on in referred to as "The Royals" had generator problems so first
thing you saw was all the bikes coming off and all the men going to
look....Judy jumped ship and went back to visit Sid and Evelyn and Gene and
Ginny - here on in referred to as "Clipper 2".
Eventually we all ended up on Clipper 2 for docktails, more
like farmtails in fact cause we were surrounded by cows on one side and
beautiful French countryside with mountains in the distance on the other.
It was an early night , after all it was our first night
back on the water and speaking for myself I had forgotten just how tiring it is
being outside all day in the fresh air and working! Anyhow, it felt good to be
that tired and I think we all had a well deserved rest.
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| This lady started signing and dancing ,even had the cane! |
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George helping the lock keeper.  |
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