This morning brought heavy rain, and much worse, strong winds. With the height of the boat and its relative lack of weight, we're blown about like a cork on water, and as we are consistently heading down in the locks it's not a good idea to push on in this weather.
It would have been nice to chill in front of a movie and get a load of laundry done, but the electricity went out in the mooring at 8.30 and the Mairie weren't in a rush to get it back on (or may have been behind the switch off in the first place, who knows?!) so A descended into the engine room to commune with the beasts (Ford and Lehman to give them names) while J wet weather geared up to present our excuses to the lock keeper who was there just for us at 9.30. He took it well, and suggested we postpone til after lunch, but I could walk on to the next lock to change that if I wanted(?!) - after a little persuasion, and views of driving rain out of the window, he handed over his phone number for further communication.
So we set off in sunlight and light breezes a 13.00 on the dot, and the second lock in the set managed by this keeper is his home, and featured previously as it is by far the prettiest lock we've been through. At the next, the geese who previously rose all hell of noise on our passing barely ruffled a feather!
Having set off late we had made plans to stop in Montbouy - continuing with our plan to not stop in the same place twice - only to be warned by the next lock keeper there was no space.
We didn't dare ask the hotel barge to shimmy up the quay a bit - how many rude ways was he going to find to say 'No'? - so we set our sights on Montargis for a second time, but decided to treat ourselves to the paying port (last time no water or electricity!). As it turns out, our late arrival didn't suit the Captains working hours, so it turned out not to be paying after all, and we were greeted on the quayside (and helped with lines) by the guys on the lovely barge Edwina-Rose who we met here last time. Not only did they help with the lines, they also poured us a glass (or two) of wine, before sharing their knowledge of our new route - Thanks guys! Not far to stumble home for an early lights out!
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