We left our mooring at 10.15 and breezed through our first two locks on our own. However at the third lock we came across a yacht mooring to the bank and when Crew tried to turn the dangler it didn't work. So we approached the three yachtsmen to,be told that the lock was faulty and that they had called the VNF. So we moored on the bank to await rescue! After a 20 minute wait we locked through. The next event was a five lock chain, which was manned by an eclusier but again we came up against a red light and the yacht moored on the landing stage. One of their crew had gone to find out what the problem was and came back saying that it was lunchtime until 1.30 (another 40 minutes or so to wait! At their suggestion they left the pontoon and we moored on it so that they could come alongside us. Nothing else for it but to crack open the beer and partake of some lunch ourselves! The yachts' name was very unusual.......and completely unpronounceable! Sgathach!! The crew were three very nice Scottish men - I suggested that they might prefer to be at the back of the lock (with the water coming in at quite a rate, it gets pretty rough at the front!), for which they were very grateful. Unfortunately there was a scarcity of bollards to secure the boat and we had to attach the front line very close to the gate which meant that Skip had to hold us back. He found it very hard on his hands and was having to use the engine as well. On the last of the five (Skips' hands by now were red raw and although Crew gave him some gloves, the damage was done!) the force of the water was so strong, Aphrodite skewed about alarmingly and came within inches of the gate......metal on metal, not good!! Skip threw the engine into reverse just in time! Enough excitement for one day! We moored in Montech at 2.45p.m. We like Montech as it has a lovely restaurant on the canal just a few steps away although the supermarket is a bit of a walk. We got organised then went over to the Capitainerie to pay and ask about dentists. The lady there kindly made a phone call but said there was no reply, so since it was only around the corner we walked there but no dentists were present. So back to the boat where Skip plugged our electricity in while Crew walked on to the restaurant and ordered a couple of cold beers (our fridge is misbehaving and doesn't seem to keep the beers very cold, not to mention the wine!). We booked a table on the terrace for 8 p.m. as it promised to continue to be warm. We had a lovely meal and superb wine, making up for our so-so pizza last night! A digestif on the back deck and bed.
13 km 8 locks 4 1/2 hours
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