Thurs 29 July - 0920h start, St Pierre, bowthruster, gazole, hog, Phillippe, sunset

We were up early to make a start for the return trip to St Jean de Losne. As we passed Port St Pierre, we noticed that it was full, and so we texted Greg that it was no use coming south in the hope of finding a quieter place where he and Bridget  could continue with their audio book recordings.

As we cruised along, I noticed that the light on the button for the bowthrusters was now working. No idea why it had now decided to work, but I guess that's one less thing to be fixed! As we approached the last lock before Auxonne, I could see that there was going to be a considerable wait because the gates had just closed behind other boats going downstream. So instead of just hovering midstream, we decided to tie up at a waiting place that was really designed for larger boats (or flood conditions). But we managed to tie up without too much hassle and I got off and went for a little walk.

However, we were soon through this lock, and cruising past Port Royal at Auxonne, where we got a view that we normally don't see when moored up there.

From there it was just a quick run through one more lock and then down the Saone to St Jean de Losne. We had intended to take on more fuel today, but when we got to the refueling pontoon, another Piper barge, Lilly, was already there. However as we approached the pontoon, they finished their refueling and started to move away. And as they left we saw something we have never seen before; a Harley-Davidson motorbike on a platform at the back of the Piper, complete with bikie taking a photo of his beloved baby!

After we added another 300euro of gazole to the tank, we cruised into the H2O marina and backed into the same place that we had left just a couple of days ago. We spent the evening getting ready for our road-trip to Bern tomorrow, and were rewarded with a brilliant sunset over the marina island.