We had a late start as whilst communing in the engine room, sorry - pre-start checks, A found a couple of leaks in the strainers which needed a bit of attention - they've needed emptying of leaves and other flotsam on a daily basis, but haven't really liked it!
We headed straight into a lock behind a barge and kept pace with himtil the next, when he moored up and started waving at us madly; we waved back with the handheld VHF and he radioed accross to say the lock was closed for Sunday lunch til 13.40 so he suggested we settled in.
By the time the keeper was back on duty another barge had caught up so we moved out of the way to let him through; unfortunate as he was record breakingly slow! We overtook him, but had left it a tiny bit too late as we arrived at the next lock on green lights, only to see them turn red and the gates close in front of us; we were to wait for the slowcoach to catch up before we could proceed :-(
This unfortunately set the pace for the day, with us overtaking each time, and being held back at the lock to allow him in front; in fact, we knew that would happen, but toddling along in his wake was not comfortable navigation, and the engines prefer a bit more than a lazy 900rpm.
Leaving the second to last lock on our day's itinerary he showed his true colours though, and called through to warn us we'd need to be at the next at 18.00 or we'd not make it through before closure at 18.30 - thank you Poseidon. And so our decision was made for us, and we're back at the French Pontins, with its little train, and more importantly, INTERNET!!
Tomorrow we hope to break new ground (water?!) and head into the Marne! Exciting!
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