Swallows & Amazons for the Over Sixties and Tracey – Part 9
It’s raining again. We are in Chalon Sur Saone and tucked up nicely in the Port de Plaisaince, happy to be in deep water with the boat rocking. The canals are behind us – only rivers to go now with deep and wide banks. Bliss.
Joe and Gail left us in Monceau – we had a great time together and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. We had a lot of laughs, the biggest one turned out to be Gail’s misinterpretation of the title ‘Skipper’. Once she had had a few skipper turned into ‘squipper’ and of course that stuck for the rest of the time they were on board.
Mandy joined us in Monceau and the next day we set off for St Leger. Oh no, not three women in a boat! We got a lot of funny looks and waves, but managed not to make a hash of any of the locks. We worked out a process that we could work with and stuck with it whatever other help we were offered. It worked for us, although it was a bit complicated and long winded. I had to ban Mandy from jumping off the boat from great heights and distances. She is really very good at it and her knees work really well, but I was not happy, always aware of the potential damage that she could do to herself in the locks. Also, she is ruining the perception of the ‘Over Sixties’ aches and pains. She did point out that she was not over sixty and therefore it was OK! Her French is very good, so she was a great help chatting up the Eclusiers, and everybody else in sight! She was also very knowledgeable about the canals and we didn’t get quite so many surprises as we made our way south. We had some difficulties parking because of the depth and one night ended up alongside an empty English boat. We could access water and power though, so showers for everyone.
Then there was the gas saga……. You will remember that Judy and I picked up Danny the plumber in Nemours and he fitted an extended gas pipe to allow us to house the extra large gas cylinders sold in Europe that will not fit into the gas box on Kea. So I thought we had cracked the problem. We have been happily running on a Camping Gaz cylinder that does fit in the gas box, but we had not seen any replacement Camping Gaz cylinders in our travels, hence the oversized jobby we had to purchase. The gas ran out in Chagny while I was cooking the spag bol. No problem I thought, we have already cracked it, all I need to do is attach a different regulator (which I had also purchased) and switch to the new tank. After much huffing and puffing with Mandy reading the instructions in French, we failed. Off went Mandy to accost a delightful Dutchman who told her to screw it the other way!
No really, it worked and feeling very pleased with ourselves we attempted to light the gas. Nada! We sent Mandy off to the Dutchman again and he thankfully came to our rescue and fitted the regulator with a large push on the top. Off he went and I tried to light the gas. Yes, you got it, - nada! (I’m sure that’s Spanish). We reluctantly gave in because we were getting hungry and phoned David in Nevers. He called Mandy a silly --- and reminded her that she had to press a button on the regulator to make it deliver gas. Then it worked. Thank you David, again and again and again!!
So this morning Tracey and I were in this gigantic Carrefour in Chalon and guess what, we found a replacement Camping Gaz cylinder, so we are off to replace the empty one tomorrow which gives us a spare full cylinder which will go back in the gas box and please the elf and safety policeman..
Going down in locks is easier, but four people is better than three, so I am glad that I have four up for most of the way south. The last lock on the canal before joining the River Saone is 10 meters high. As we approached the lock Tracey and I just gasped at the river so far below us! It was an incredible sight and we couldn’t help wondering what would happen if the lock went wrong and dropped us from that great height. Luckily nothing of the sort occurred (of course) and we descended at an alarming rate down to the river. I let out a whoop of joy, because within three or four minutes I was registering 4 meters under the keel! We approached the end of the canal and made a careful turn into the River expecting loads of traffic. There was nothing in sight at all, and this was a Sunday afternoon in August. It’s all very pretty and I am looking forward to the scenery going south.
Tracey and I are off to do the washing. We did the shopping at a shopping centre right by the Port and managed to dodge most of the heavy rain this morning. I have found a MacDonalds with free wifi, so will be off there to send this tomorrow. Might even have a Big Mac and fries! (Often wondered what they taste like and I am told reliably by Tracey that my education is not complete until I have consumed at least one.)
Mickey is joining us on Wednesday and we will probably depart southwards on Thursday or Friday. Nigel will join us on Friday just a little way south from Chalon, possibly Verdun (or thereabouts). I have to do some homework, but I will be round about Lyon by 20th, ‘cos that’s where Alan is joining us and Mickey is leaving us. It’s all working I think!
Now 6.00pm and we have done the washing. Only problem was that the madame in the Laverie wouldn’t let us dry it because the dryers were too busy with service washes. So now Kea looks like a Chinese laundry down below with sheets, towels and clothes hanging everywhere because it is pouring with rain again. Joy and happiness. So I suggested a drink and now Tracey is turning into alcoholic. What have I done to her!!!
Much love from us both,
V
10 August 2009