Wednesday 7th June - Dannemarie to Mulhouse

Even though the weather had not improved much - still pretty windy and rain threatening, we decided to leave Dannemarie and stop for the night somewhere between there and Mulhouse.  As you can see from the blog title it did not quite work out like that!!  Our chart told us that there was a chain of 11 locks so we assumed that one eclusier would see us through those but he was not the communicative type so we were surprised when he continued for two more after the eleven.  We passed the mooring where our friend, Henk had stopped earlier in the year and thought we could do two more locks then stop at another little town but on calling his 'chef' he said there was not enough depth for us there so the only option was to press on to Mulhouse.  So on we pressed for an interminable five and a half hours in the cold wind, rain and very occasional sun.  Crew definitely not pleased, especially since she had only managed three hours sleep the night before!!!  Our second eclusier was a young man who saw us through nine locks, a swing bridge and a lifting bridge.....poor boy, the weather was 't kind and he was on a moped!  In the last lock the heavens opened, ensuring that we arrived in Mulhouse thoroughly soaked!!  A welcoming committee of the Capitaine and a very well meaning elderly Swiss gentleman ensured that we were well tied off in view of the still strong wind.....think we used all our ropes!!!  After drying off and a quick late lunch, Crew managed an hours' sleep, just reviving her enough to walk into town for dinner.  We dined in Le Nelsonino, where Crew enjoyed a very good pizza and Skip a Steak Tartare, washed down with probably the best pichet of Cote du Rhone we have had.  A slow walk back to Aphrodite and bed!  An exhausting day with a relaxing finish!

23 km. 22 locks, 2 bridges. 5 1/2 hours