Finally, on the water again!

Looping on the Canal de Nivernais

Monday August 18th

We were all up early and ready for the adventure to begin! Having the car for the next few hours meant trying to gather anything we thought we might need for the next 28 days that we may not be able to get next to a canal. We went  to Casino and Decathalon - not the Casino you think but the large super centre grocery store. We got several necessities - fly swatter, extra towels and eyeglass holders . Since Terri had already left a very expensive pair of glasses in the Bing Inlet four Euros for holders seemed like cheap insurance.

We were the first crew to arrive in Decize , we unloaded our suitcases and made a b-line for the grocery store.  We took full advantage of having the car and stocked up on wine an water. George and Garth then drove that load over to the boat and Terri and I began the monotonous task of grocery shopping. Always a challenge in a foreign country.  George stayed with the water and the wine,Garth came back to drive the groceries over then he headed to Never to drop off the car. In the meantime the crew from Free to B and Something Special arrived. Within seconds they had dropped off their luggage and were heading for the grocery store. Terri immediately started organizing the galley.

Garth called from Nevers - Carrie had spied him on the platform so now we had track of all the crew. They arrived shortly after four and here we all were! A thought, a dream, a whim that was a fleeting thought seventeen months ago had now became our reality! Back on the water again! Ahh ..to quote a wise man....life is good and boating is fun!

Sure enough we all ended up back at the grocery store - brought back memories of stocking up on the loop at the local Walmart - making sure you had enough to get by, but not too much. Trying to ask for a fly swatter in French was a bit of a challenge but the women understood what I meant and lead the way. Oh la la ....none left!  Humm....let's see, we already have a fly swatter....Once Around and Moonstruck have ice ...the wheels were turning and a bartering/borrowing scheme was in the works.  Turns out they have a full time ice makers on their boat - his name is Dougie!

Once the paperwork was completed and everyone had their grocery organized we decided to head to the local restaurant for dinner!  Some of us, who have not been on bikes in years, took this opportunity to get back in the saddle again! It's true - you never forget!  We had a great dinner, Ginny enlisted the help of an interpreter who walked us through the menu and ended up joining us. Mary our interpreter has a small steel hulled barge - 7 metres- she travels the canals by herself and is in her 70's. Irish by birth and now living in California she is to be admired an envied.  When I grow up I want to be just like Mary.

We all made it safely back to the boats in spite of the amount of wine at dinner and the lack of lights on the street or on our bikes.

During the driving lesson the Le Boat Captain got a phone call and there was a boat sinking on the other side of the lock.....lesson was over and the fire department came to the rescue!

Internet is sketchy so when I can I will load more pics!