2 locks, 11 kms, 6 hours (including shopping); 2 locks, 2 kms, 1 hour

Just as we were preparing to leave Nevers the hotel boat decided to do the same, so we went and did other things for 40 minutes.

As we approached the first lock (2.5k further on) they still hadn’t gone in, so we waited some more and then moored back from them in Plagny – they to pick up passengers and us to bikle to the Intermarche 1.5 kms away. Having seen the arrangement on the bike in Decize, we modified our assets and set off with two rucksacks and my granny trolley tied to the back of the electric bike (AndyWindy has since pointed us at an excellent collapsible trolley with attachment which would also carry fuel). This system worked well when G remembered to keep the trolley wheels out of the rain gutter on the side of the road!

Nicely re-provisioned, we set off for a mooring which I had been really looking forward to; where the canal, l’Allier and Loire all meet. Unfortunately, just before we reached Gimouille, G spotted these oiks on the bridge and, sure enough, the stones duly followed as we passed under.

Once we moored, G cycled off to find the Marie but, instead, found the very concerned owner of the village store/bar who said that the Marie wouldn’t be available until Monday as they were in Paris for the weekend. He also found out where the oiks lived and verbals were exchanged. The following morning – whilst still in my PJs and with G in the shower – I saw a lady climb onto our rear deck. It transpired that she was the Marie (about to leave for Paris) and the story unfolded (in French) that these oiks were being a total nuisance locally. They had broken into a big property (amongst other things) and done damage, but the Gendarmes said they had no proof; only CCTV footage of them from behind. She was thrilled skinny when she realised we had a photo of their faces AND they were wearing the same clothes as on the CCTV.

A little later (when we were both dressed fortunately) a sporty little boat went passed pointing at one of our flags and the same on their own. It’s the sign of membership of an international ladies boating group on Facebook – so they turned and came alongside for coffee; as usual (with members of this group we’ve previously met), we got along famously and Muttley thought Deborah and Cliff were rather nice too. Graham then threw coffee over them and, unsurprisingly, they didn’t stay for lunch – we know how to give our visitors a good time!

We’ll let them off as they have very ambitious cruising plans between now and the DBA rally on 8th July. Ambitious by most people’s standards – incredible by ours. We look forward to meeting up with them again at the rally.

We then wandered into the village for a beer and a sandwich to support – and say thank you to – the nice man who had been concerned enough to see the Marie out of hours and send her round to us before she went away for the weekend. G introduced me and he was charming.

Whilst we were sat outside in the sun, two of the three oiks cycled passed and recognised Graham, so it seemed sensible not to leave Francoise moored where we were on our own – well, I did anyway. I hate any kind of confrontation and I know I would have kept one ear open all night and not slept. I also discovered that we weren’t in the right place anyway for the best walking etc. so we moved across the aqueduct and down the double (staircase) lock.

The lockie was delightful and wanted to know when Francoise was built, I told him 1902 and – with a cheeky smile on his face –  he asked if she was named after me! In under 2 kms we went from Gimouille to Guetin and were adjacent to Grenouille, with an hotel of the same name – strange name for a village – and yes there were legs on the menu.

Sunday morning I set off with the Mutt to walk the l’Allier to it’s confluence with the Loire, passing my nice lockie (who gave me a jolly wave) – this is a real honeyspot but there was not a boat in sight. Here are one or two pictures from my long walk.