contentedsouls

One of the reasons we were so late leaving Ieper was that there was a stoppage until 1.0 pm between the two locks just outside – home from home really. We hadn’t really intended to re-join the main arm and turn right under the lift bridge but, as the lockie had had to come out to do the second lock he was quite keen to see us through the lift bridge (the last ‘item’ in his domain) rather than go home and come back in the morning to lift it – either that or he wanted to see four recalcitrant Brits off of his patch!

 

Avalon waits for the Lockie

 

 

We follow through and moor shortly after – no base camp required Tuesday as we availed ourselves of some concrete steps although the house behind ‘owned’ them and came to enquire what we were doing; mellowing when Kevin explained wed be gone in the morning. This pretty little thatch cottage was opposite us and we had a delightful chat with the owners

 

 

 

 

Nice property along this stretch

 

 

The habitat of the dentist; the ‘owner’ of the steps

 

 

 

We trundled on into Dixmuide yesterday morning and upset the harbour master by cruising past his (expensive) mooring and setting up a base camp just outside of the town – passed the old wharf and the monuments

 

 

 

 

This base camp was a bit steeper than some but we’re becoming quite proficient at climbing up and abseiling down – the dogs (even the elderly Baxter and Ted) don’t bat an eyelid at these banks.

The motley crews assemble for an assault on the town – and what a charming town. The ubiquitous town square of course but charming side streets and navigable (not by MR) narrow canals abound – if the weather stays good I feel a kayak bottom wetting coming on tomorrow.

 

 

 

Checking out the prices of electric bikes

 

 

 

The old fish market – I don’t know if it still exists. I hope so as I haven’t found a wet fish shop here yet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would the ‘wimper’ be the bikini wax?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet again we arrived in the town at lunchtime with all the shops closed so, yet again, we had to have a beer whilst we waited for the shops to open. Debbie and I then went into Carrefour to get a few bits but there were no baskets inside so we ended up with armfuls of stuff that we struggled to hang onto – all I needed was a cabbage so that I could yell Crackerjack!

Thank you for all the lovely supportive comments yesterday – I didn’t mean to sound down.