Friday 31st August - Chaumont to Foulain

We had told the VNF yesterday that we would depart at 9.30a.m. but the steady rain was not conducive.  They came around again and Skip said we would go when it stopped raining as our weather forecast suggested that would be around 11 a.m..  We left just after, even though it was still drizzling.  Unfortunately we omitted to look at both our forecasts as the alternative one was more correct and it only stopped raining at our last lock!  After just two locks the locks became manual and  a young VNF woman came to operate the lock for us.  She was joined by another young woman thereafter.  Again some of the locks were almost four metres deep - difficult to attach a rope to a bollard when it can’t even be seen!
We were very surprised that the girls worked through the usual lunch hour but glad that they did as stopping places were simply not available.  We arrived around 2.45, pretty damp and tired.   Foulain is what Crew calls a ‘country mooring’ with just two wooden quays, a bit the worse for wear.  So Henk had to raft up alongside us as a Swiss family had taken the first quay - luckily the canal was wide enough.  We got quickly settled and had a restorative and much needed beer, followed by a very late lunch.  Crew was willing to cook something in the evening but research was done and two restaurants found, not too far from the boat so it was decided we eat out again.
We partook of our usual aperitifs on deck at 7 p.m. then walked up the hill to the restaurant, passing a very closed looking hotel on our way.  When we arrived we were informed that no food was being served and that we should have reserved.  However the owner took pity on us after a quick discussion and offered to serve us a plate of charcuterie, which we willingly accepted as we needed to refuel after a fairly heavy day and a climb up the hill!  We were served with an excellent plate of meats and salad, some good bread and passable red wine.
Back to the boat for digestifs, retiring a little later than we should have!

14 km. 8 locks  1 lifting bridge. 3 1/2 hours