The canal journey continues, as do the locks, but in fact we are only moving along the western side of Volgograd, travelling in a wide arc around this metropolis until we reach the Don, or rather a reservoir over 170 km long, which we have to navigate in a zigzag course due to shallow waters. Then it starts to get dark again… Lena uses the radio to look for a place to spend the night with sanitary facilities and people to contact, and with the help of a cargo captain on the reservoir, she finds Yuri, the manager of a private marina in Volgodonsk (where a huge dam holds back the Don) – what luck!
We steer carefully towards this marina, as sandbanks in the dam area demand my utmost attention. Finally, we are welcomed by Slava, the night watchman of this marina (photo below), and we can finally enjoy a warm shower again.
The next morning, Yuri himself appears (photo above) and helps us fill up with petrol: in his rickety Lada, we drive into Volgodonsk with our canisters, twice in fact, and also supply the ArgoFram with fresh ‘food’. Once again, my project receives spontaneous support; in terms of hospitality and improvisation, I experience incredible moments here time and time again! Unfortunately, Yuri doesn’t have much time; he wants to move on too. So we keep it short: thank you, and goodbye, maybe. I’d be delighted!