July 3 – Soulanges to Orconte
Our trip from Soulanges to Orconte was pleasant but rather unremarkable. We went 23k and through 9 locks; and went from the Canal lateral a la Marne, briefly on the Canal de la Marne au Rein around Vitry-Le-Francois, and onto the Canal de la Marne a la Saone.
As a matter of interest (to myself only) I clipped on my pedometer and found that I walked 2 ½ miles during the course of the day between the wheelhouse, galley and bow.
Just for the record – I have the most incredible shoes that are so wonderful that I have hardly worn any others (except for a few forays out to dinner). The are made by Salomon and I think the model is amphibian karma, they are amazingly lightweight, have a sure-footed grip bottom that doesn’t slide on anything, the top is mesh so they breathe and are made to get in water, the heel folds down so you can slide them on, the insoles are removable for washing and the closures are nylon cord with a little locking thingy – they adjust easily to any width foot and are quick and easy to get on and off, even with the heel up. I’m going to order another pair for myself when I get home and one for Dave. If you’re into outdoor sports, or even walking, I highly recommend them. I bought them on line. The last time I was in England I went everywhere in my Sperry topsiders which are comfortable on the feet but I found I had a constant backache – one day in Cambrai I wore the boat shoes and again had a backache – obviously from wearing those shoes. These, I have walked 8 miles a day in and have never had a moment of being uncomfortable in them at all.
We moored canal side night at a lovely mooring with water! We walked into the little village for a beer and came back to the boat and cooked a picnic dinner of hamburgers and potato salad which we ate on the picnic table next to the mooring – me overlooking the wheat fields and Dave looking at his beautiful boat. We had the requisite candles, music, wine, and blessed peace and quiet.