08.07.21 – 15.07.21 – A short cruise on the river to sort out anticipated problems after so long ashore.

08.07.21 – Launched 1800, moored LRB I 28. First time afloat for eighteen months. Next two days spent on essential maintenance. New shower pump to be replaced under warranty as poor contacts. Pump assembly replaced heads, New VHF installation completed. New genoa fitted.

Back in her natural environment

Happy Skipper at last!

11.07.21 – LRB to Rieux (Made it to Foleux)

Fcst. S 5 kts > W 9 kts S Int R o/n. Departed 1050. 1115 engine overheating alarm going off. Anchored, alarm stopped. NAD. 1125 up anchor, 1135 alarm restarted. Anchored, steam in engine compartment. 1200 called Capitiniere Foleux for berth (estimated that if we waited until engine had cooled, we could make the marina slowly). Instead, we noticed the Capitiniere launch coming out to us. He rafted on and took us to a berth K22 suitable for repairs. As we lifted the anchor it jammed whilst the windlass was running. Subsequently we found that the load had detached the windlass base from its bonding against the hull. Moored 1230. Multinautique @ Foleux closed until 13.07.21.

13.07.21 – Engineers diagnosed failed freshwater pump. On stripping the rubber seal below the expansion circuit ‘T’ piece had disappeared, so assumed it had blocked the heat exchanger. New pump and thermostat fitted and heat exchanger cleaned out. Very expensive bill, but all work completed very efficiently by Multinautique on the 13th as they were closed again on the 14th as Bastille Day. 2 nights Passeport Escale. I night @ 29€. Did give us the chance to blow up the dinghy and enjoy lunch at the restaurant on the N. bank.

It still works!

14.07.21 – Foleux to Rieux

9.8 Nm 2h 22m underway. Fcst NW 6 kts > 7 kts. S Int. NR. Dep 0957. Arrived Cran 1125 for 1130 bridge opening. Moored Rieux 1219, midpoint lower pontoon, space alongside available, but estimated too shallow so rafted 1 out. Depth U/K 1.2. Noted new fingers at down river end of lower pontoon. Engine performing normally. 13€ per night. PJA JMA

Rafted @ Rieux

15.07.21 – Rieux to LRB. 14.91 Nm. 3h 10 m. Fcst: NW 3 kts > W9 kts. S Int NR. Dep 1040. Arrived Cran 1125 for 1130 opening. 1350 berthed C10 LRB. Set new genoa, very stiff but seems ok. Cum log 4687.7. Cum EH (318.9 +688) 1006.9 PJA JMA.

New Genoa

Sunset at LRB