Today after a good sleep in my little nun-like cot and a shower in our miniscule toilette, Simone plied us with coffee, cheeses, croissant and preserves. She and Gerry went for even more food, just in case we might run low. We were on our way shortly after 9 and the Captain persuaded me to go out on the bow in readiness to handle the rope for the first time. Bruce is a calm and reassuring teacher. The trick is to suck in my stomach (not easy after all of this food), coil the rope, hang on with both hands and flinging it up to a bollard, and then bracing my legs, holding the rope at the correct degree of tautness while the gates close and the water sluices in to lift us approx. 2 metres. When the gates are opened Magnifique offers a new vista of bucolic countryside.
Lollygagging at the scenery is not recommended while learning to retrieve the rope which is like flipping a lasso. I did it alright the first time, but after lunch which included wine, a climb up to the top of the old part of Cercy-la-tour, a funfilled encounter with passers by who gathered to watch our progress, I managed to repeatedly throw the rope into the canal. Our lady lockkeeper was kind and helpful, as was the captain, so I think I will be allowed to do lock duty again.
Our Lock-Keeper - éclusier
Barry and I are having so much fun! It's the most relaxing trip ever. We are scheming about returning. Of course we need this excellent team to make it happen. Now a blazingly hot afternoon, with a promise of an early happy hour.
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