We are stuck in a lock again, this time because the lock keeper is nowhere to be seen. We rang Le Boat and they contacted the navigation people, they have rung the lock keeper and apparently he operates between two locks and now has to drive here from the other. What a system! An hour later he turned up and we were on our way.
We were heading for Carcassonne today to see the old city but the next series of locks were taken up by two boats and by the time we finished getting through another hour had passed. At last the skies cleared and a weak sun broke through as we ducked and weaved under low bridges into Carcassonne. We found a grocery shop and bought supplies for the next few days and had a quick look around before we had to leave without a chance to visit the Old Cite.
The sun shone and we enjoyed the next hour or so until the last two locks of the day. The
Lock keeper was so drunk he fell out his door and then forgot the key. He leant on the control box and was still swaying and staggering around but we got through safely. The next lock was only 700m away and when we arrived he came barreling down the road in his car. He staggered out and began the operation. Things were not going well when another operator turned up and saw we were not going anywhere and came and took charge. He seemed to be telling the drunk guy off and apologised to us and a 10 minute operation became a 30 minute one, thank God he turned up. We have tied up to the bank just outside the lock, we had had enough adventure for the day. Di has once again prepared a culinary masterpiece for our dinner, and all is well. Today 11 locks and 25km
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