In reality I got up early, rushed to the laundrette, shoved washing in machines after figuring out the instructions in French and hurried to the Intermarche. Here I raced round grabbing beer, sparkling water and other drinks before dragging the granny shopper back to the laundrette with 2 minutes to go before the end of the wash cycle. Transferred washing to dryer, fed it all the 50c pieces I had which equated to 24 minutes in the machine, then dragged the shopping back to the boat (phoning Patrick on the way to hunt out more 50c pieces). Patrick then unloaded the shopping and raced back to the laundrette with the trolley ready to add more 50c's and collect the washing while I did a bit of boatschool with the kids having been pleasantly surprised that they had started without me.
By now it was 11am and starting to get very hot but we weren't finished. Unloaded washing onto boat and collected all possible bags, scooters and trolley for the second run to the supermarket. I had noticed that there was a Brico next door which closed at 12 but Patrick wanted grease for the stern gland so he raced ahead while the kids and I headed for the park behind the chateau and supermarket.
On the way we passed under a bridge which showed flood heights of the Saone on particular years so we had a little learning moment figuring out which was the most recent year and if the kids would have been underwater in this year!
On to the park which was by now baking hot, swapped with Patrick who had found the required grease and I hit Lidl. 1/2 hour later Patrick calls asking where I am as it had got too hot in the playground so he had taken kids to look for me in the Intermarche. Patrick likes supermarkets about as much as I like sewing so he was not best pleased when I was in a different one and he had to round the kids up all by himself.
Bought way too much stuff in Lidl but we managed to get most of it in the bags and trolley and set off to find a tree to sit under for some shade so we could have ice creams and picnic lunch.
Once finished kids wanted to go the park again (no its too hot!) and we started to walk back. On seeing a skate/scooter park Patrick nearly lost the will to live so he headed back to the boat with trolley and one rucksack while I stayed with the kids for 10 minutes or so.
Long hot walk back to the boat with a short stop to let Esmé climb a random ladder.
Exhausted we give the kids iPad time while we try to summon the energy to play fridge tetris and get the rest of the stuff away. In the meantime Patrick sees that the landing craft with on board caravan is returning from an outing so we take a picture as it needs to be seen to be believed. John the Captainaire turns up with more grease for us:-) and offers to drive us with jerrycans to the petrol station tomorrow so we can buy cheap diesel rather than expensive stuff from the fuel barge.
Boatschool and tantrums followed before we finally let the kids loose on the inflatables.
Cold tea including frikandels which were supposedly chicken and turkey but AJ said tasted like mini sausages.
More playing on inflatables, this time with Esgar and Eda.
Mum finally loses the will to live and decides to give Esmé her shower but there's a queue.
Lovely lady Georgie who is the partner of the Captainaire entertains Esmé while John sprays her with the hosepipe. Georgie suggests we have a day out which sounds like an excellent plan as we need a change.... if only I can get the washing away and tidy up the tip of a boat first (as well as doing boatschool).
Kids still messing about gone bedtime so I decide to take a walk and a shower and leave Patrick to it until they are asleep. Beautiful evening, would have been even better without the bitey insects!
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