After a particularly stormy night on board Laurin with regards to the general mood it was time for operation zero tolerance on kids general and boatschool behaviour which has been gradually going downhill. Boat school went really well for AJ but disastrously for Esmé who lost her iPad time as well as any sweet treats for the day.
We only had 3 locks today but the last one in particular gave me a good reason to brave my first ever youtube upload. As we approached the lock we had a green and 2 reds which means the lock is being prepared but we don't have priority, in other words there are boats in the lock which need to come out first. There was a hire boat on the waiting pontoon so we decided to join it. As we approached the lock started to open so we quickly abandoned that plan and hit astern. I went backwards quite a way to give the outcoming boats some space. The charter boats watched 2 boats exit then started to approach the lock from 90 degrees. They didn't see/didn't look to see that the lights were still on red red green and not solid green. He got the fright of his life as he was hooted at and a large hotel barge nearly ran him down.
He then proceeded to spend about 5 minutes to get into the lock and a further 5 or 10 minutes to get tied up, requiring the lock keeper to come out of his tower and help. I held back until they were well and truly tied up before I dared enter. As the lock was dropping the guy managed to let go of at least one of his mooring lines leaving it dangling down the side of the lock and his boat facing the wrong direction. Once the lock gates opened we watched them recover the line and then try to exit for about 5 minutes before deciding to video their efforts for your entertainment.
Click here for charter boat playing bumper boats in lock
After lunch Esmé finally finished her school work and started to become a much nicer person to be around, keen to copy me multi tasking washing clothes and helming at the same time.
As we arrived at Chalon Sur Saone we were keen to get moored up before the charter guy got anywhere close. Luckily there was a guy on the pontoon who waved us into the private annual berth holders area which he later said he reserved for people who could clearly handle their boats:-) We yelled at him about the charter guy and told him to not let him in any tight spaces. We were waved to our berth by another employee who kindly took our lines, and again told the story of the lock. The guy looked very concerned and asked us for a description of the boat.... it was at that point Patrick saw it approaching the outside end of our pontoon and pointed it out at which point our line catcher was seen running quickly towards it. Luckily he seemed to get them in without too much damage!
We took a look around and Patrick pointed out that there was a retail park over the road so Esmé and I went to take a look while AJ had his well earned electronics time and Patrick checked out the price and availability of diesel. Over the road we spotted a sports shop and a McDonalds amongst other things so back we came to the boat with the suggestion we buy AJ new trainers as he has outgrown his and then head to the big yellow M for a treat.
Trainers bought we were pleased to find that the McDonalds self service screens had an English option although the kids were a little disappointed to find some of the menu was different. We could also opt for table service!
Back to the boat via Carrfour (for bread, milk and ice cream,) and the little park for a run.
Bedtime for the kids and a large glass of my favourite non alcoholic drink of the moment!
Can't quite believe the total incompetence of the charter boat skipper in the lock. Maybe the ship's dog or cat was driving but, frankly, I think either of them would have done a better job.
ReplyDeleteI also love the virgin mojito drinks. I like the fizzy one in cans (schwpps i think) but also add vodka or gin when mood requires.
I like the schwepps one too but the cordial plus sparkling water is significantly cheaper and we're penny pinching. It's funny but we've got slated on a couple of forums for posing the video. I'm usually the first to go to help people who are struggling in boats, and am sympathetic to people at the beginning of their boating journey, however this was on a completely different level. He seemed to have no respect whatsoever for the boat and used full throttle in most circumstances. Being able to charter boats with that level of competence does make a mockery of the ICC and cevni qualifications we are supposed to have to motor through the inland waterways in our own boats.
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