As I've mentioned before, we don't make plans because they always change. This week has been no exception, again. The first plan was that I was going to blog more regularly.........that's great providing you have internet signal but it's been weak and patchy for the past 10 days, so here's a bit of a catch-up.
We caught up with Dave and Jane on Narwal at Paray-le Monial last Saturday after a very long long days cruise. Two of the "automatic" locks failed to operate and I had to contact the VNF on the lock-side intercom for them to remotely re-set the mechanisms. Little did I realise at the time that this was going to become almost a daily occurrence! I'm almost on first name terms with the lady in the control centre 😀
The weather has been unseasonably cold and we had frost a couple of nights which has decimated my new roof-top plants. That hasn't been helped by the extremely strong winds, torrential rain and even HAIL that we've been having.
One of our moorings was just before Montceau-les-Mines. We'd planned to go into the newly refurbished marina but the weather was just so dreadful that we pulled in early. The view wasn't very nice but we were only 200m from two of my favourite shops which was a definite bonus.
Milly this is for you, Grand Frais and Thiriet within easy walking distance from the mooring.
On the other side of Montceau-les-Mines, between locks 9 & 8, you can moor right outside Leclerc hypermarket which is the perfect place to stop and restock the heavy essentials like beer, wine and dog food. The attached restaurant does a reasonable "menu du jour" too 😀 We were halfway through our lunch when Roger got an email from VNF saying that the canal was being closed in 3 days time for urgent lock repairs and would be closed for almost a week! So plans changed again.
We had a long way to go to clear the proposed stoppage which meant long days and LOTS of locks. We normally like to travel for around 3 hours a day but we've needed to put in a couple of 8-9 hour days and with the weather being so dreadful we're all knackered. We got through the damaged lock late yesterday afternoon with the help of a very nice lock keeper. He was there to make sure all boats stayed away from the damaged wall which was leaking badly where the pointing and render had failed. It was like a fountain pouring out of the wall but by the time I'd got the camera it didn't look too bad, although you could definitely see why it needs urgent repairs before the wall totally collapses.
Many of the original lock side cottages are now derelict and when you see the lengths they have to go to to get building materials across the lock when there is no access road it's no wonder. This crane was huge!
It'll be interesting to see what it looks like next time we come this way.
On Saturday evening we managed to get moored outside the famous wine producing village of Santenay. The moorings are normally full of hotel boats and we couldn't get in last time we passed this way. For once, the rain stopped, the wind died down and it turned into a very pleasant evening so we walked into the village. There are some very grand houses, I particularly liked the pea hen and peacock guarding the entrance to this one.
There were a couple of caves in the village and we tried one of them, but with bottles starting at 25 euros and going steeply upwards we beat a hasty retreat. It may be Premier or Grand Cru but there's no way I'm paying that much for a bottle of wine! We found a small wine shop with bottles a little more reasonably priced and we bought a Pinot Noir for dinner. To be honest, it was nothing special and I've had much nicer wines at a third of the price. The shop and caves do seem to cater for Americans from the hotel boats though, so maybe that's where they make their money?
Today, Monday, we arrived in Fragnes. The sun is shining and it's a bit warmer but the wind is fierce. We really struggled at the first lock as the wind pinned the boat to the bank. I'd had to get off to go and talk to the VNF lady in the control centre again as the lock was out of action. We're always following Narwal who never seem to have any problems but it's happened 6 times now and is always the same problem. The traffic lights aren't working and the electrics have tripped which means the bottom lock gates don't close after Narwal has gone out. I give her the same message each time, she flicks a switch and the electrics reboot, the gates close and the lock fills ready for us. Given the choice, I'd rather have English DIY locks any day 😂
At least it gave me chance to get a shot of the boat that I don't normally see.
That's all for now, see you soon X
No comments:
Post a Comment