Pitfalls

Port of Buzet - first boat of the season setting off

Nearly a week has passed since the 'unfortunate incident' mentioned in my last post. Canal boating would be fairly low down on anyone's list of dangerous activities but it doesn't pay to be too blasé; a moment's inattention can result in serious injury.
Rejoining the boat at the beginning of the cruising season is perhaps a slightly more risky time as it takes a few days to re-familiarise yourself with the numerous stairs, ladders, slippery decks, ropes etc. It's a busy time for both of us unpacking, restocking, cleaning, de-winterising the engine and so on. Working on the engine means the floor hatches are lifted which demands even more care. This year we found we needed to replace another 2 batteries - the start battery from the the engine 'room' and the bow thruster battery from another underfloor compartment in the forward cabin. These batteries weigh about 50kg each and lifting them out of their confined spaces and off the boat was quite a palaver involving ropes, ramps and lots of swearing. We managed however, congratulating ourselves on doing so without adding the pain of putting our backs out to the eye-watering cost of new batteries (somewhat prematurely as it turned out).
As mentioned, one of the batteries came from under the floor of the foreward cabin and for whatever reason the door to the cabin was closed before the hatch cover was replaced and so it was forgotten about. The inevitable happened; Rob opened the door and stepped straight down through the hatchway.

Four big 'thank yous' to:

1. Our Lucky Stars
Firstly, he is ok. He clearly hadn't broken his leg but he was in a lot of pain and we thought he may have broken ribs (only cracked and severe bruising). Since this happened we have heard (as you do) numerous stories of similar accidents with much more serious outcomes.

2. Our Fellow Boaters (particularly Steve)
Who went out of their way to help us with advice about doctors, running us miles to and from the nearest hospital, plus taking us miles in another direction to buy batteries and installing them for us. One plus out of all this is we got a tour of the very lovely countryside and villages. Normally we see only what's in range of the pushbikes.

3. The French Health Service
Brilliant. No waiting at the hospital. Doctors, radiologist, x-ray, painkillers, prescription all for under 50 euros. Everyone from the receptionist onwards was very efficient and pleasant. The only difficulty was being triaged in the hospital over the phone which wasn't easy and so my last thank you is to:

4. Sylviane (my French teacher in Australia) and husband Philippe for calling in to see us on the boat during their quick visit to France. It's always a little odd to meet up with friends from home on the other side of the world. Sylviane, if it weren't for your French lessons we'd have been struggling even more this week.

We will be staying put for a few more days until everyone is completely mobile again.
Hopefully next post will be from a bit further up the canal!

Meanwhile the trees are almost in full leaf, the birds are singing their little hearts out and there's an incredibly noisy (possibly lonely) donkey on the other side of the towpath.