Le Boat don’t provide much of a briefing before they let you loose on the canal, locks and other boats. I had read the Breil guide, but even then, there are some unwritten “rules” which I’ve been made aware of, generally politely, but sometimes in the shrill, overwrought tones of someone who can’t bear anything not going according to their preferences. (How these people cope in the summer when there are hordes of far less observant, polite, reasonable and sober tourists than I on “their” water – presumably they actually enjoy the rage at some level.)
Anyway, the unwritten rules I have transgressed (so far) are:
- You must not run your generator past 9pm, even if you’ve been told your batteries will only provide heating for 3 hours, there’s no access to shore power, and you’re worried your infant children might get too cold.
- You must not move past a boat at the standard speed limit of 6km, even if it’s during the day, and he’s clearly decided to moor his boat well in advance of the 3km speed limit sign further on towards the village.
- When moving off from a parked position, you must have the utmost humility towards a neighbouring vessel if the owner is present, as they are clearly more important to the terroir of the canal than you, pathetic less-than-amateur tourist.
I suspect this won’t be the end of the list.
Timsformational 