Tunnel was 2302 metres btw
Here we are after living for what (hopefully) was about 24 hours with Murphy and his law
Murphy is a fascinating creature - one is often left in no doubt when he's about - lock after lock was a bugger for some reason - then, out of the blue, when you least want it - from a calm clear day - a howling bloody wind - amazing really.
It culminated (hopefully it's culminated) in finally after months of meeting nothing but extraordinarily friendly natives - I met Monsieur Very Grumpy Frenchman - there I was trapped in yet another non functioning lock - all I did was drive in on a green light and then - ZIP - no amount of lever pulling or pushing would cut the mustard - so, out came Mr beerbelly lock man - in a very very grumpy mood, who instructed me instantly with very rapid hand gestures that he had 'no english' and never intended in any way, shape or form in his lifetime to learn one single word.
Right!
I wondered why I had caused this level of aggression because all I was guilty of in the last days was identifying a couple of locks that didn't work, poking my nose into a tunnel for a look against a red light and bumping into the odd wall - nothing that I would have thought should have sent preceding reputation warnings -------------------- but, I suspect that the cause ----------- was not far in front of me - and, this may well have been the cause of the hostilities --
Now - notice that his flag is 1. totally illegal 2. very confusing to the French by design - because not only is he engaging in covert operations - but, he's also undercover using a smart disguise - which is meant to confuse the French - he's even got me confused - because I don't know if his boat is Aussie or French - but, I do know that he says --------------- 'I'm from Perth mate' --- and, my deep suspicion is that 'mate' was just in front of me - and, that mate - may well have given our Monsieur Very Grumpy Frenchman - a bit of a lecture on lock maintenance and the possibility of needing to learn some english because it's actually the language of the waterways
Which would mean that when - harmless, gentle, good mannered me came along complete with Aussie accent about half an hour later - the diplomatic field had been worked over well and truly - prepared for my arrival.
Anyway - as I left the lock which Mr Grumpy had to override manually - he gave a wave - and, I think the hint of a smile.
On the way - the landscape has done a dramatic change and it seems that there's only one thing here on the mind --------- Champagne -
about here I found a boat tied up with what seemed like a very very friendly mother and 2 appropriately scantily clad daughters and dad all waving frantically from the shore to me with their glasses held high - signalling I guess - have you got any grog? We are trapped here with the Covid thing and are short on supplies? - well, that's what I guess they were saying - I sailed on - not wanting to accept refugees
Here's a bridge - can't for the life of me remember why I videoed it - too much happening in life
Finally came to a place called Damery - quite a pretty area and thought - wow, that's enough excitement for the day - which is where the boxing kangaroo passed me again
And, for those of us who never see mornings - this is Damery in the morning, reasonably early
another very very quiet night
for tree's - the, at present, very untidy helm - the shower mat has a little home there for days on the move that I've showered in the morning - it catches the sun
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