Nederlandse versieFinal day: from Choisey to Dole

The next morning we leave on time so we can arrive at eight o'clock at the first lock. We have to navigate four kilometers today with two locks on that trip. Unfortunately the first lock wit a paltry difference of water level of thirty centimeters, has to be operated by a lockkeeper. She doesn't arrive at eight o'clock as I hoped but exactly at nine o'clock. We can still manage to get on time at the base. We have only one lock to go now and we have to be in Dole at half past nine at the latest. Unfortunately the final lock is defect. After turning the bar in front of the lock, the orange signal-light goes on and the traffic-light becomes red-green but de gates remain closed. We are in a We appear to be in a tedious situation now. A strong wind pushes us from the Doubs into a branch with a low iron bridge over it next to the closed lock-gates  We don't see a place where we can moor the boat. We have to go back. We don't succeed to turn quickly enough and we are bumping against the shore. We discover a ledge thirty centimeters under the waterline. We are stranded. I climb on the shore and try to push the boat from the shore. Maarten is also helping with the hook. Suddenly the boat moves. Pepijn gives full speed and with my feet on the plastic protection ledge and hanging on the railing, I manage to get on board again as we are speeding along the iron bridge towards the Doubs. What to do now? We still have to pass the lock. After a while waiting for the lock gates to open by themselves, I manage to put Pepijn ashore. With great difficulty I manage to turn away for the second time. Pepijn speaks into the microphone near the lock and we are delighted to see a VNF delivery van coming after five minutes. Soon the gates turn open and with a sigh of relieve we navigate into the lock. After closing the gates the lockkeeper opens the valves fully and the water is streaming to us. We have to keep the boat under control with two ropes. During the whole week locking was a moderate matter We were locking down all the time. In front of and in the final lock we experienced that navigating can be very stressing. Unexpected thing can always happen.  

Pepijn is navigating  the boat precisely backward into the port en we move our things from the boat into the car. We have reached the finish line. For the reason that Margo has forgotten her sweater somewhere on a football field we travel back a fragment of our route. We all experience the blue lift-bridge of Moulin des Malades isn't looking very idyllically from our car. We long for the boat already.