When we went to make breakfast this morning on the barge, the toaster wouldn’t work. Since we were on shore power, I was somewhat surprised, but on checking the electronics panel I saw that the batteries were again at a very low level (7%). I therefore checked the connections and all was OK, so clearly we were connected to a defective socket on the quai (second time in a week), even though the other two connections on the same borne were working OK for other boats. So I switched to the borne ahead of us, after borrowing an extension cable from the good folk on Carolyn. The new Capitain needs to get onto this problem, because multiple full discharges of the house batteries are not good for their lifespans. But at least we could now use the toaster and kettle to make breakfast!

The Australian election seems to be going through a period of hiatus, with many electorates in the House of Representatives being too close to call, and hence neither side can claim victory and form a government. But the postal votes now being counted seem to be running towards the Coalition, so the Liberals might be able to form a minority government by doing another deal with the Nationals, and perhaps a few of the Independents.

I continued working on the hanging frames, and by mid-afternoon I had finished what I hoped was enough for the Arts Expo. If more are needed, I can knock up a few more in a hurry.

While I was doing the frames, Stuart and Jackie were painting the remainder of the gates and fence, finishing a first coat with just a drop of paint left in the can. The large flat areas on the gate will need a second coat, but the rest looks fabulous. It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do, and it has come out just as I was imagining.

In the evening, we returned to the barge for dinner with Veronique (the Moissac music teacher) on the rear deck. The evening view of the barges, the Moulin and the Pont Napolean was spectacular, as usual.