Thursday 10th August - Chalons-en-Champage to Epernay

We left the port at nine o'clock but Aphrodites' new crew had completed two locks before Crew showed her face!  Could get used to having supplementary crew!!!  We were all looking forward to our lunch date in Tours-sur-Marne in a lovely restaurant where, five years ago, we enjoyed a superb lunch with an outstanding foie gras starter.  Just four locks to go!!  We tied off just before midday and Martin and Clare went for a walk round the little town.  Skip went along to the restaurant which was situated beside the canal and came back with a sad face......it looked as if it was closed.  We had taken note that the restaurant was supposed to be closed on a Thursday but since Skip said he had mailed a reservation and we thought it was confirmed, we didn't worry too much.  Crew reminded him that when we were here before they didn't open until at least midday so we waited but when Martin knocked on the door about 12.30 a lady answered and told us that the restaurant was closed down!  Disappointing to say the least!!  Another lady arrived in a car who turned out to be the owner of the restaurant and explained that she had become tired of running the restaurant and had to close it.....shame!
Martin and Clare had spotted a boulangerie a short walk from our mooring, also a market van with lovely cheeses for sale so we bought some prize winning bread and cheese for our lunch.  Luckily the sun came out and we enjoyed our lunch on deck.
Around 1.30 p.m. we left our mooring and completed our three locks to Epernay.  We arrived, squeezing ourselves in quite comfortably after the Brit boat behind us moved along a bit and, after getting settled decided to walk into town to investigate.  Last time we were here (5 years ago) we were welcomed by the Capitaine, given tickets for a free champagne tour and invited to take a glass of bubbly at the club house at 6 p.m......nice!!  Unfortunately the Capitainerie was closed when we arrived.  After purchasing train tickets for Martin and Clares' return home tomorrow we wandered around for a while then our thirst got the better of us and we decided to try some of the local produce on the terrace of a buzzing bar.  Skip and our new crew decided to go to the tourist office and try and obtain tickets for a tour at one of the champagne houses - Crew stayed behind finishing her bubbles and with the wherewithal to buy another round on their return.  After a few minutes however, Clare came rushing back saying that there was a free tasting in the tourist office.......didn't need asking twice!!
As it was a bit of a trek from the port, we decided to stay in town for some dinner......we had seen a menu with Moules Mariniere listed!  So we made for Le Chapon Fin and enjoyed another good meal. Towards the end of dinner, thunder was heard and the heavens opened.......not expected but on the whole the weather had been slightly better than forecast for Clare and Martins' stay with us.  We chickened out of the walk back and took a taxi.  As we hadn't covered the back deck, not expecting to stay in town, everything was soaking wet so we retired below for digestifs and some games.  Bed just before midnight.

38 km 7 locks 6 hours