Cusey to Oisilly

30/10/2012

16 locks - pah! 

The day started really well - the sun is shining, and a boulangerie van stopped by with baguettes and croissants at 9.00! Excellent!

Her version of helping out!

Three locks into the morning, and the radar didn't spot us so the lock doesn't open for us; another call to the VNF and he activates it from a distance as the radar wasn't switched on?! Pleeease!

The day progresses smoothly after (maybe he thought to switch on all the radars after our last call?!) and on exiting #31 we watched an old fisherman catch a fish - and were rewarded with a rueful smile to our cheers, perhaps our enthusiasm was a little over the top for such a small fish!!

At the second to last lock we encountered a crazy rooster whose body clock was even more out of whack than Roxy's following the time change - he was giving it all his voice at 3.30pm and was accompanied by a goat on backing vocals!

Into our last lock of the day, but when we activated it only one gate opened! Call to VNF, and now we're wondering how long it'll take for the cavalry to arrive as we're a way from HQ now, but he arrived and we were moving off within half an hour so great on that front. But seriously, we've now done 314 locks on 2 rivers and 5 different canal systems, and the only 4 breakdowns have been on this last section over a two day period...

We arrive at our chosen stop, to find the short concrete pontoon pretty much inhabited by a fisherman - at least 4 rods, holding baskets and buckets - with family in tow and a picnic laid out on the bench in the afternoon sun. J politely called to apologise but that we hoped to spend the night there; the fisherman was charming and just asked for a moment to pack up, whereas his family wanted him to tell us to move along! He gently advised them that this spot was designed for boats and spots were few, whereas he himself had an infinite length of canal bank upon which to set himself up! Wow, such a nice experience from an awkward situation. They moved about 20m down the bank and resorted to boules rather than fishing, and gave Roxy a real run with a tennis ball!

No electricity or water, but a lovely spot catching all the evening sun. Interestingly A was reluctant to open the engine hatch and let the heat up to warm us - as the engines need some warmth too! Ford and Lehman breathe a sigh of relief as we're in for a cold one again tonight according to the weather station!