Friday 6th September - Port du Houillon to Lutzelbourg

We left at 9.30 as we had a busy day today - a long stretch without locks to start with, then two tunnels (one almost two and a half kilometres long!), the inclined plane at Arzviller and to finish, four locks.  We have used the Arzviller plane twice before but both times going up - this time we are descending though.....exciting!  And it will be Henks’ first time.
It was a bright but very chilly morning - definitely autumn now - so long trousers and sweaters required.
We arrived at our first small tunnel at midday and passed quickly through, then for the big one!  It takes about half an hour to pass through but we managed in a bit less - then for the inclined plane.
It was great to look down on the waiting area for the lift with its’ high trees surrounding it - good for photos, although am afraid that Crews’ pictures didn’t come out very well!
We are descending the locks now, which should be easy.  Our problems started however when we approached our first lock!  Two boats were entering the lock as we arrived, going our way and a large hire boat was also waiting in front of us.  The two boats went down and the hire boat thought he could then proceed but the light stayed red and indeed, the gates closed and the lock emptied, allowing another boat to come up.  Finally the hire boat went in and locked through.  We then had to wait until the lock filled so that we could descend........but it didn’t so we had to call the VNF before we could go down - all this took over an hour!!!   Maddening!
All in all, we should have arrived around two o’clock but didn’t tie up until 3.30 p.m.  There is a choice of three moorings in Lutzelbourg - we took the middle one but it was not ideal as there was a very low concrete shelf, meaning we had to lower our fenders into the water.  Not ideal!
Another late lunch and then Skip and Crew went into town for a bit of shopping.  There was no supermarket as such but a charming little deli, so we couldn’t get everything on our list but we did buy an interesting piece of cheese, having been given a taste of it and managed to strike a few things from our list.  On the way back, Skip booked a table for us in a nearby hotel, which seemed to be the only option for dinner.  He asked for a table at 7.30 and was told ‘No later’.
We duly arrived at the proper time, only to find several other people arriving after us!!  The food was passable but no more and quite expensive, if a bit showy!
All of us quite tired as we haven’t had a rest day for a while, so fairly early to bed, after a bit of TV.

34 km 4 locks 6 hours