A huge day! We soldiered on through 10 locks and 25 km. It was exhausting. We had to wait at virtually every lock as the gates were always against us. Smith was running up and down stairs and catching ropes like a trooper. I had to throw ropes up to her, which was impossible from the aft deck because the verandah roof got in the way. Smith came up with a good system where I threw up the bow rope and she let the end of it down while we tied on the stern rope and she hauled it up. By the time we arrived in Condon we could hardly move. The Sydneysiders greeted us and invited us to join them at a posh restaurant in town. Of course we said "Yes please." We dragged on our glad rags and walked miles (it felt like miles!) through the town to the restaurant which was in an old abbey. Absolutely gorgeous! It has one Michelin star and is called La Table Des Cordeliers. Had a pretty darned impressive meal and enjoyed the company of the four from Sydney. Bed was pretty good too when we finally got home and collapsed. Next morning we explored Condom market - mostly fruit and vegetable stalls - bought some strawberries, and then headed back to the boat for our last day's sailing. Only three locks today, but one was a double lock with a lock keeper, who gave us a couple of huge tomatoes when we admired his garden. Made it to Valence Sur Baise in time for lunch and before the rain started. At the moment we are waiting for a load of washing to dry, before preparing dinner, our duck confit. Don't know how that will work out. Lorraine has been out on the bike again, cycling the town. She found the abbey and not much else.