Drongen to Astene Lock, Leie River

We were sitting on the deck having a cup of coffee when a boat came by with lots of white balloons tied to the railing, then another, and another, almost 10 in all.  

We came to the conclusion it was a wedding party, or the groom's side anyway, because the first boats only had men on board, the second last boat had a "mature" woman (the groom's mother?) who had her hair in a fancy up do with a flower to boot.  It was a very happy fleet of boats.

We set off at 10.00, headed for Deinze but not sure how far we would get because we wanted to stop somewhere to wait for Lynn and Shaun to catch up with us.

Another scenic trip:

Some wild life

More magnificent houses

They like their statues

No, this isn't a statue, but someone checking on the builders renovating his property

So cheering to see the trees coming into leaf at last, compared to the leafless grey/brown scenery a month ago.

Then we got to the Astene Lock, which is permanently open, again just used to control water levels, but there is a very low bridge at one end of it.  Just 2.3m high off the water.

We took down the bimini, the mast and the windscreen. 

Ian reckoned we would just make it under the bridge. (There is a bridge keeper who will open it for you, but Ian is Ian after all!)

Are we going to make it?

Made it with 10cm to spare!

We tied up at a dock just after the lock and not 10 minutes later Elle appeared on the other side of the bridge.  This time the bridge keeper came out and lifted it for them, it is a manual wind up bridge.  And we decided this was as good a place as any to spend the night.

Later a big boat came down river, blasted his horn 3 times because the bridge keeper was not quick enough for him, which I thought was rather rude.  Apparently the bridge keeper did too because he took his time getting the booms down, etc, while the big boat got all crossed up and sideways with much flurry of water from the propellers and bow thruster, and even bounced his way from side to side all the way down the lock! Now that's a picture I should have taken.

Tonight there is a gathering of the kayak fraternity in the pub next to the bridge, a private party unfortunately.  There are about 6 camper vans here, umpteen cars, and even more kayaks than cars.  And lots of laughter.  But no music!  Maybe it was a meeting and not a party.