16/06/2010. 48:01:60N 02:43:06E
Left the mooring at 09:15hrs and pottered down the Canal du Briare in
bright sunshine but with a very cool,strong, tail wind, shame we
couldn’t put the genoa sail up, we would have flown along without the
without the noise of the engine. After two shallow locks negotiated
without too much trouble we then arrived in the pretty, main town of
the area called Montargis. As we entered the town locks we were
photographed repeatedly by various parties of tourists. The last lock
of the day being the deepest we had been in, at 5.5metres. a very
worrying sight going in, until the young lock keeper looked over from
the top and then lowered a line with a hook on the end to take our
mooring ropes. (Phew!) Just outside the lock was the town quay where
we moored up and found we were right behind the two Canadian boats that
we had been moored near in Halt Fluviale. We had an invitation to have
a roast lamb dinner on board one of them. We had not intended to stop
any longer than to have a lunch and a quick wander round town, but it
sounded too good to miss so we decided to stay the night. Interesting
town boasting a large chateau and several different waterways threaded
their way through the town centre. The huge 12th century church of
Sainte- Madeleine de Montargis has a large collection of beautiful
stained glass windows and painted pillars. Very reminiscent of the
Italian style. We spent a very enjoyable evening with Wally Szumylo and
Lori Whyte on their boat “Do Littles” and their friend Dave ? from the
other boat. Left at 23:00hrs and walked back to our boat in torrential
rain.
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