Wednesday 14th June - Lahr to Strasbourg

We left Lahr at 9.40 but not before Anne had told Skip that she had another idea about where the BBQ might be.....in their 'cellar'.  And so it was!!  So money was exchanged, the princely sum was €20 which included 4 small canisters of gas - a bargain.  Skip is really not a fan of barbequing and only agreed to it to save Crew from boiling to death in the galley on hot nights!!  We only had two big Rhine locks today and a smaller one into Strasbourg. We were lucky with the two big locks - they were both open for us, as was the smaller lock into Strasbourg.  However, although the lock was open, it was showing a red light so we couldn't enter.  We tried calling on VHF but no response so Skip tried a phone call, to no avail!  Our next radio call got us through and Crew explained that the lock was open but we had a red light......we were told to wait for a green, which came on eventually.  Once in the lock, not knowing the depth we made sure we secured the boat both centrally and fore and aft......to our surprise, the back gate closed and a few minutes later the front gate opened - there was no movement of water at all!  We were ready for an onslaught and nothing happened!  A fifteen minute cruise to the port found us looking for a space to moor - we had actually booked a three night
stay.  Luckily it was just before the official French lunchtime so we came across the Capitaine who directed us back to the older wooden pontoons - we could only find one possible place but there was a floating pontoon in the middle of the space so we had to phone him and explain.  'Oh yes' said he 'forgot about the pontoon' and raced over to move it so that we could moor!  Got there eventually!!!
We had a bite of lunch and Skip went twice to the supermarket (that's how serious our supply situation was!).  On Skips' second return he helped in a nice French couple behind us as Crew stowed some shopping away.  He had also stopped off at the Capitainerie to book a taxi at 8 p.m. to take us into town for dinner. The old quarter of Strasbourg is surrounded by the river Ill (as in ill). Five years ago when we were here with our Kiwi friends, Peter and Gwen we took a team and visited the area known as Petite France so we decided this time to visit the cathedral area - we were not disappointed!  The cathedral is magnificent, especially all lit up - breathtaking.....photos cannot do it justice!!  There were lots of restaurants to choose from - we chose one just off the main square.  Our waitress told us she had an Italian father and a Thai mother - interesting combo - and she spoke French, Italian and English......no German.  Since the menu was in German and French we had to err on the French side!!  We ordered an onion tart as a starter to share (Crew only had one bite!) and a ham hock each.  Two onion tarts arrived but there was no way Crew could eat a whole one and a ham hock so we refused one and it was taken back.  We then had to wait an inordinate time for the ham hocks (Crew was starting to regret her refusal of the tart!!).  Our waitress came to apologise and said that the chef had forgotten our order........there's a bit of a theme going on here!!  It arrived eventually and of course, was huge!  A rose seller came by selling red and white roses which we refused but soon after, our waitress came over with a red rose and presented it to Crew to apologise for our food delay - a very nice gesture!  She said the rose seller charged €3 but she paid just €1!!!!  We finished our meal, paid, thanking this charming young lady and went for a wander.......Strasbourg is a big busy city but well worth a visit - that cathedral is something else!!  Digestifs, music and bed - busy day tomorrow!

25 km 3 locks 3 hours