On April 16, after more than a month in the slipway, Aleau was lowered back into the Saône River – although it would not be long before she would need to return to the slipway.
Slipways and dry docks are in great demand. If work can be done with the boat in the water, that is what is done. Aleau still needed new anodes attached to the hull – but they were on back order. That meant we had to free up the slipway for another vessel. So Aleau was moved – not under her own power, but attached to a tug – to a spot opposite the Atelier Fluvial dry dock in St. Usage so work in the engine room could continue.
We were towed past the Quai National in St. Jean-de-Losne. Later on, we would find it a lovely place to moor for a night or two.
Our mooring opposite the Atelier Fluvial office was less than scenic. Our stern was alongside two dumpsters – and our bow faced the entrance to the dry dock. We had to get used to it – it was going to be our home for awhile.