We pulled the stake and untied from the tree and headed down river to Verdun sur le Doubs (the junction with the Doubs River).
Worried that nothing would be open on a Sunday but were surprised to find the town bustling. It cost five euros to tie up at the
public dock in town (with water and electricity included) and then we headed up to find coffee. Found the “Café de Paris” and sat
outside for our café au lait (2.20 euros each). Then a tour of the town (dodging cars) and found the “supermarket”.
We bought a new lighter (as the one on the boat was basically empty), some fruit, pepper and more wine and then two one bakery for bread and another for croissants. Now we could have breakfast on the boat. The best part was when the harbormaster taught us how to work the stove. The key is to hold the knob down for about five seconds after it lights so it will keep going (yeah, it’s in the book on the boat but we didn’t find it until later). Then we waved at Tim and Debbie as they headed past us up the Doubs.
Confident with our new stove knowledge, we headed down the river again. We saw lots of swans and herons and many tent campers and fishermen on the shore, usually with inflatable boats and electric motors and 4+ fishing rods each.
After a few hours of travelling an alarm sounded on the boat (a constant high pitch squeal). Checked the gauges and found good oil pressure, temperature and charging and no idiot lights glowing but something was up. With no obvious problem we continued down river (Tamra used earplugs when she was driving) until we reached Chalon sur Saone (PK 143).
Using the advice of the “Guide Fluvial” we headed to the marina on the back side of “Ile St Laurent”. Eighteen euros for the night with no water or electricity but they had showers and free wi-fi plus a map of Chalon sur Saone. When we registered the harbormistress told us that the old town was full of live music for the start of summer. Off we went to walk the town.
An interesting mix of old, older and new buildings. And many bands rocking out in the old town in French and English. Most restaurants were serving pizza (for the kids??) so we went back to the boat for barbecued chicken and pasta and broccoli plus grilled bread with garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. And there came the beggar swans right up to the boat.
Later in the evening the bugs started up again so we headed into the cabin. Dee and Tamra went up for showers while we played cribbage (Lynn won). Then I walked up with Lynn while she took a shower. Big mistake on my part as I got eaten alive while she showered. Put on some hydrocortisone cream when we got back to the boat and headed to bed about 10:30 p.m. hoping for another morning miracle of non-itchy bugs.
We also left a voice mail for Le Boat telling them about the alarm and hoping to hear from them in the morning (they are closed on Sunday). Tim and Debbie showed up just in front of us at the same marina and suggested it might be a bilge pump alert. Here’s hoping it’s quick and simple.