27/10/2012
Cannot tell you how hard it was to get out of bed this
morning – it rained buckets overnight, with a strong wind so ropes were
creaking and fenders squeaking... Plus the weather station is reading 2.4°C
outside and J switched on the kettle without turning off the radiators so blew
the electricity and had to trundle over to the office to ask them to reactivate
it (wet weathers over PJs, as you do!) :-)
Again, we optimistically told the keepers we’d be off at
9.30 but with 3” of water to empty out of the tender – and do you have any idea
how long it takes to dress when there are 5 layers to put on?! Pushed off at
10.15 – still only 2.4°C (can’t believe a few days ago there were complaints
about 14.5°C?!!)
From our Froncles contact we are advised to attack the summit (45km
away) in the morning which breaks down the coming distance into a long day then
a short one, or the possibility of breaking it into 3 short days depending on
the weather. We’ve chosen a long day first – because although the weather
station is giving dire predictions re the temperature, it is at least saying no
rain today...
We also knew we’d move back into the ‘Manual Lock’ zone, and
our humourless keeper met us 2 locks down the line but in the hour he was with
us – from lock to lock and preparing the swing bridges before our arrival – J
had him at least smiling, if not helping with her disastrous rope throwing
today!!
Due to the keeper shadowing there wasn’t an opportunity to
stop for lunch so soup on the hoof was the order of the day – under the
supervision of a new, more serious keeper. Fear not though, the man was a gent,
and after J got him talking he was helping us with ropes (yep, still very
necessary, J’s throwing abysmal in temps such as these!) and wishing us a safe
journey on as we parted ways at 4pm.
And so we tied up in Rolampont, free with water, electricity
and conveniences and a lovely Dutch barge in place – with a dog for Roxy to
play with. And a serious temperature rise over the day – its now 4.4°C
outside!!! Freezing temps expected tonight but although the keeper confirmed
they are confronted with frozen locks at times the temp needs to drop to -20°C
for that so not to fret at the coming -2°C expected for the next two nights!!
No photos today as the camera was on strike!!
