May 5 & 6 - Boat projects and Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Montchanin

 May 5 - Boat Projects and Reading

The very gray, smelly, congealed shower sump
water. Michael headfirst in the sump bailing. 

Weather forecast is for rain and thunderstorms, so we decide to sit tight and get the shower sump working again. We took everything out of our mid-cabin, moved the built-in bed frame, and lifted the linoleum to access the hatch to Juniper’s shower sump. A quick check showed that our float switch was not working so the shower drain was overflowing into the bilge, releasing quite a foul smell. Opening the two part sump we found a very gross thick liquid that smelled like sewer gas. Pulling the switch we found it was not working because it was fouled and couldn’t move freely. Michael put on the rubber gloves and bailed the sump, then we filled it with water and bailed again to get it pretty clear. Reinstalled the now clean switch and it all worked again. This is the not-so-fun part of boating we often forget to mention when we tell you how much fun we’re having.

Not too long after finishing our sump project the predicted thunder storm and rain came in with a force. Wind, driving rain, hail, thunder and lightning. Time for a glass of wine, a good book and thankful we weren’t trying to get through an écluse.

May 6 - Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Montchanin

The chart book showed this as a marina
It didn't specify for derelicts only 

We knew we had a long day ahead of us 19 écluse to go through, many of them with 5 meters or more of rise. Our technique for going through these was to let Joan off on an almost non-existent ledge to go up the stairs and handle the control of the écluse while Michael took the boat into the écluse, secured it to a floating bollard and hung on till the boat was high enough for Joan to climb back aboard. We got to our destination, Montchanin, to find that the marina we thought we would be staying in no longer exists. Fortunately the VNF ( the government body that over sees the canal system) had moorage in front of their office. Once again we were able to enjoy the afternoon thunder and rain showers from the comfort of reading a book in our salon.