Last night we mentioned in passing to Jack that Iain had told us about an Atelier (workshop) in Castelsarrasin that made boat and truck coverings, and that we had wondered whether they would just sell the raw materials to us as well. Then we realised we no longer had a car to find out in the morning. Anyway, after we had gone back to the barge, Jack came and knocked on our door, offering to drive us to the Atelier in the morning if we still wanted to go there. I thanked him, but said we weren’t sure. But as we thought more about it, it seemed like an opportunity not to miss, if we could do the work on a wheelhouse roof covering ourselves while we were away. So this morning, I went to his boat and asked if his offer was still open. He just wanted time to finish his breakfast, then away we went.

When we got there we were amazed to see the stock they carried, and all available for sale to the public. So we bought a sheet of heavy duty white PVC (2700mm by 3500mm) and about 12m of Velcro tape. We also noted, for future use, that they stock ship’s ropes, bungey cords of various sizes, and all types of fittings. They also have heavy duty sewing machines to make up coverings to virtually any design. A very useful place to know about.

Before we left port, I wanted to try a trick with the generator that Iain had suggested a few years ago. At the time, we were having problems getting the shore power to be registered on board. Iain said that one trick he used was to first start the main engine (and alternator) to get the Mastervolt charge/inverter system “kick-started” and accepting charge, and then connect the shore power cable. This had worked at the time, and today I read online that sometimes the Mastervolt system had to be “flashed” to get it to accept a charge from a generator. So, since our generator was still giving a “Failure; AC-1 Voltage” warning message, I decided to try it. Start the main engine, then start the generator; Bingo!  All worked OK, no warning message and the generator continued to run. So maybe that is the solution (for the time being)!

We left Moissac at 1000h and had an uneventful, but relaxing, trip, arriving at Golfech at 1445h.

The maps said that the Halte Nautique at Golfech had power and water, but I had never been able to find them, even though Stuart Barry on Hilda May assured me they were there. So since we were having some power problems, I decided to stop and have a good look. But even then, I could not see anything, until I spotted a little door on the wall under the road bridge, behind which lurked 4 power sockets and a tap!! I also found a sign saying that the daily charge was 6 euros, and to ring the Mairie to get a connection. So Rita rang, and they said the Mairie would re-open at 1600h, when we could come and pay. But just before 1600h, a guy from the Mairie arrived at the barge to ensure that all was working OK. He helped us connect, then took our 6 euro. He also explained to Rita where the nearest piscine was (in Valence d’Agen). I wasn’t too keen about mooring so close to a nuclear reactor, but I figured the nearby church would keep us safe!

The info board next to the mooring gave lots of information about the region, but I was more interested in the shape of the region, which looked for all the world like the Westie dog belonging to our band member Susan Alty.

Soon after we spoke to the VNF guy, Rita headed off to swim at the piscine at Valence d’Agen. When she got home she related a story about a guy who wanted to swim, but had the wrong swimmers. French swimming pools have a strange rule for male swimmers that they are only allowed to swim in “Speedo” type swimmers. No shorts, no board shorts, only Speedos, no matter your age, shape or size. Have no idea why (especially since women can swim in bikinis, one-piece swimsuits or virtually anything). It can’t be because of appearance, since some men in “budgy-smugglers" are not an attractive site.

After she came home around 2000h, we had dinner on the rear deck, then watched the sun setting at the western end of the canal.

Soon after, I retired for an early night and started reading a new Kindle book about “The Life and Times of Muhammad Ali”. It promises to be an interesting read.