We left at 9.45 with no problems. In Maxilly-sur-Saone we came across Philippe from Blanquart's on his boat - he was responsible for fitting our new outside fridge. There are two problems with the door....it seems to have dropped a bit, needing a good shove to make sure it's closed and also there is some staining on it at the bottom -we had a very short conversation in passing! We had a problem with the top gates in our last canal lock, in that they wouldn't close so Skip called on the intercom but there was no response so he called on his mobile and we were told help was coming in 3-4 minutes. Fifteen minutes later we were still waiting so we tried the intercom again. Somehow the lady managed to get the gates going remotely. We then waited for fifteen minutes for our first lock on the river Saone to fill. By this time two other boats were seen approaching so on entering the lock we moved right to the front of the lock in order to fit them in but a crew of four Germans on a hire boat had other ideas and tied right at the back of the lock so we were just the two of us. Poor number three!!
We arrived in Pontailler at 12.45 p.m. and happily, managed to moor in amongst the Canalous hire boats with power and water and........a nearby restaurant!! We are definitely back into civilisation! The sun was so warm by now Crew got a sun curtain out in order for the white wine not to boil!! If we hadn't been so surrounded by boats, maybe the bikini would have been released from the back of the cupboard! This is how autumn should be here!
Skip took the short walk to the town to remind himself of the facilities ( we have stopped here several times before) and returned to report that the restaurant would be open for business later.......hoorah, no galley for Crew tonight! We went over around 8 p.m. but were told that the main restaurant was full, so we were directed to a second restaurant within the hotel, which was fine except that the lighting was rather bright. Crew ordered moules and frites which were well above average in quality but Skips' friture didn't go down so well - don't know why he ordered that as I usually find it rather dry with too much batter......his choice! Don't think he will order it again! Digestifs on board, TV and bed.
16 km 6 locks 3 hours
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