Europe 2018, more new adventures

The bow thruster decided not to work, once again on John's watch, so we pull into shore and make the call.  The tech arrives and is about to exchange switches once again. No, no we say that was already done.  Ok, ok meet me at my base tomorrow and I will be waiting to fix the problem.  Yah right and we've seen pigs fly too.  To our surprise the technician, Patrice, was true to his word, as we pulled in he was moving towards our boat with a new switch and finished in less than 10 minutes.  We had a much longer wait to fill the water tank.  We also were able to get clean linens, towels, a bike lock, hot showers and so on.  We walked across a bridge a found a "cave" (wine cellar or store), tried some varietals and bought a few kegs at 12.50 euros for 5 litres per keg.  Pretty decent wine to boot.  Then we strolled down the street to sample at a different 'cave' where we blew the bank account and bought a few bottles of wine for 20 euros.  ...

The following blogs will be generic in location except for Narbonne and Beziers which deserve a combined blog if not separate ones. Ok, so what next, where to after watching other boats vy for position.  Somehow the pace of travel is quite relaxing and starting the travel part of the day sometime before noon does not impede our make it as you go plans.  I took one of the bikes we had onboard, a bit of a challenge with only one speed, one seat position, handle bars that feel twice as high as the seat and miniature wheels.  It wasn't long before I was well ahead of the boat which allowed for some decent pictures.  After being picked up we pulled into a depot to get some of the deficiencies corrected.  Well that was what we thought could occur,  Instead the consistent answer to any of the many questions was "I must be honest I cannot help you".  A relaxing glass of wine by the canal side before departing to parts unknown helped smooth the waters so to ...