2012/4 France North + canal boats and home.

(You can see what the photos are of by scrolling over and a label will come up.)

Heading north was more difficult than we anticipated. 1000 kms! We had got used to 60 or 70 on a trip and many days of no driving. To start with we couldn’t make half an hour without a distraction- McDonalds to download stuff. Although this year we have the French dongle and internet at our fingertips – we have to be careful about data usage, so big stuff happens at McDonalds or other Wifi. Anyway, moving on, we gradually got in the swing of it, planned an interesting route and got going.

France is such a beautiful country. Even on long, cross country trips it is easy to find charming places to stop and break the journey. We managed to add a bit of excitement to the trip in Bordeaux, by taking a wrong turn and heading off down a tram track, much to the consternation of the locals. There was no turning back, so we had to continue until we could break out of it, praying that a tram wouldn’t turn up. Heart attack stuff.

We did a diagonal crossing of France from South-West to North-East. First night in pretty little village of Nersac. Spent an afternoon in Bourges, sort of south of the Loire. All medieval with overhanging balconies, winding streets and an impressive cathedral. Stopped in an aire at Clamesy, in the Rue de L’Abbatoir. Didn’t sound too promising but turned out to be perched between a river and a network of canals, a few minutes from the town, which had a market the next morning. Kept us busy for the morning and topped up the larder with goodies.

A late start then onwards and upwards through the Champagne district. Mile upon mile of vinyards. Saw lots of famous brand names but no time for tasting. Stayed by the canal again near Epernay. All very picturesque

During our trip North we spent quite a few days parked beside canals and saw at first hand the amazing French canal fishing sport.  This requires a big spend on gear – fully adjustable folding seat, at least 5 ordinary rods, a rod rack, sound sensors to warn of a bite, net etc and and a long rod or two at least 5m long. One day we were on a tow path bike ride when we came across a fishing competition.  To avoid the long rods we had to push bikes through the undergrowth to get past, then also realised that talking was not on – silence is the rule as competitors concentrate on catching the biggest of most fish – and then throwing them back! Next time we will give up and turn back immediately when there is a competition.

		Cruising on Kiwi Rose VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We joined Max & Lucy Thompson on their 13m Kiwi Rose canal boat, at Charleville Mezieres on the 24th June. Last year they borrowed Stan to look at boats for sale in France, Belgium & Holland. Kiwi Rose was found in Holland and is very smart and suitable for all sorts of cruising complete with a separate guest cabin. They had a busy trip down through the Dutch and Belgium canals competing for space with big working barges. During the week we quickly learnt about lassoing bollards down the Canal des Ardennes, a much quieter canal passing through some beautiful countryside and almost all pleasure boating. One day was memorable with a passage down 28 locks (26 in a series where as one exits one lock the next one triggers automatically (no stopping for a beer or snack) however of course we made up for all that when we stopped. We did have some issues with over water height being just over the 3.5m max for the canal – approaching a bridge it would be – looks OK, oh not so sure, don’t think it will, NO get the canopy down – followed by lots of press fit poppers popping and the canopy down. A solution to lower the canopy by a few inches is in hand now they have no crew.  Beside the good eating and drinking we did manage a couple of decent bike rides to discover countryside away from the canal. A great week and thanks to Max & Lucy, ending as we left the boat at Rethel (just North of Reims) to catch the train back to find Stan.

Headed off north to Calais, but did one of our sudden deviations and turned east into Belgium to watch the end of the 2nd leg of the Tour de France. Very different from our last experience in the mountains where, the crowds made it hard to get anywhere. this time we parked about 200 metres away, sat on the kerbside watching the caravan go past, then in a 20 second burst all the riders – no mountain pass to spread the field. Was an impressive burst though – a blur of riders and a blast of air.

The last day in France was the usual visit to Carrefour for the ‘oh so cheap wine’ and some cheese and a liqueur or two, plus LIDL for some cheap beer. While David got a new basin & shower fitted, Joanna was let loose in Cite Europe mall to the benefit of Zara and Mango etc as it’s sale time in France. David not to be outdone paid his annual visit to Serge Blanco. The evening we moved out of the mall environment to go down to the wharves and a stroll in town ending with a fine dinner of ‘moules’ in a fine cream with garlic sauce, plus a rabbit casserole with prunes.

We settled into Maureen’s  familiar house, cleaned out the van, washed and  drained water etc ready for the winter.  Unfortunately the Albanian team at the ‘hand wash’ up the road used a chemical that left a mottled surface on all the fibreglass so we paid and then had to polish it all off, however now looks petty good to rival the flowers in Maureen’s garden. We did manage the last of our flat bike rides along the waterfront all the way to Bexhill.  David managed his whelks on the front, kipper for breakfast, dawn walk on the Firehills with Maureen and her two Border Terriers.  TV was a bit special with Wimbledon and the first British finalist since David was a year old (that’s a long time ago).

Uneventful flight back to NZ (first part on an  A380 on it’s third day of operation) to find the house and yard etc looking very spic and span, then two fine days for work in the garden. Mandy glad to see us and in good shape in her old age. Joe & Carina our house minders are off to Blenheim in a few days.   Joanna already doing a couple of days relieving and David into the office on the 17th.

What and where next year?