To Brugge (or somewhere else maybe)

Sunday 3^rd March to Monday 4^th March 2013

You could literally set your watch by the Eurostar – when it says it leaves at 12:58pm then it leaves at exactly that time and it arrives when it is scheduled to.

We cleared French immigration before getting on the train and apart from the fact that my passport photo neither has me with glasses nor a beard did not cause any problems to the lovely immigration officer who had to check me through – she just had a bit of a giggle and a smile.

At a little over 1½  hours to Lille the trip went surprisingly quickly; our tour director introduced himself to us on the train and we met as planned once off the train – Gard du Lille is not one of your classic train stations – a bit cold in temperature and in style.

The bus was there and it was a matter of 17 minutes after the train pulled into the station and we were all on the bus; luggage safely stored; and we were away - could not believe it.

The only problem that we had was a car accident on the motorway we were on – in amongst the area where roadworks were taking place – this held us up for about an hour, but not any fault of the tour company.

The hotel was excellent and the room that we had was really quite large – bigger than we have in a great many years – very clean and given that they had to cope with 38 English tourists and us 2 Australians, the staff were exceptionally good – we didn’t need to fill out any forms – this had already been done for us by the tour company so we just had to say our surname and a set of keys appeared in our hands and some simple instructions about where our room was and how to get there – excellent.

We had some time to get outside and have a bit of a walk around to start to orientate ourselves – we made it to the main square (only about 10 minutes away); found an ATM for some cash; Diane managed to check the frits and mayo off her list of things to do; and then a stroll back to the hotel for a quiet beer in the lounge.

The city square at night - some tourist in the foreground

A second tour group from the same company had just arrived as we came back and the same level of expertise for them as for us was present.

An excellent breakfast setup and the food was pretty good as well gave us a great start for the day.

I included this only because we saw it as an example of
common sense in that this man who was cleaning the awning,
did so with a minimal amount of "red-tape" - OHS was sufficient
for the job at hand.

Whilst the activities that were organised and available were by no means compulsory, they all gave us a chance to see things that we wanted to do.

Part of the view from our room

First up was a walking tour of Brugge and what better way to get a quickfire introduction to this city – a very small part of which we had been able to see.

The famed "Fountain of the three nags" - others apparently
could only see the two horses

It was quite comprehensive and quite easy on the feet; gave us a good idea about some of the history of the city and some of the more memorable landmarks.

About an hour after that finished we could then do a tour of the one and only brewery in town – couldn’t miss a chance to see the local product being made; to get some great views from the roof; and more importantly to sample the finished product.

One of the many pieces of art around the city - this one shows
Zeus leading Prometheus away with Pegasus

Apparently 1960 was a good year

View of part of Brugge from the roof of the brewery -  a fine
day and a view - where was the beer

We have been on tours of other breweries in other places so we were familiar with a lot of what happened but the lady in charge was quite comedic in her spiel and in was most enjoyable and the beer was good too.

The timing allowed us to be able to have the remainder of the day to ourselves and we took advantage of this by exploring further parts of this most beautiful city – part of its immediate charm is the buildings and for us the canals add the dimension that we always enjoy.

What's a canal without a barge - it this one big enough my lovely?

a working boat in action - on the mai canal around the city

I have been advised by the management that I needed to cull the number of photographs down to a small number, so I have gone through the 500+ that I took over the 4 days and decided to break them up into individual days; so those in this are for Sunday evening and Monday – there were plenty of other nice ones that missed the cut.

We were a bit tired by the end of the day as it had all caught up and so we had a fairly early night.

A night at the Excel(lent)

Saturday 2^nd March to Sunday 3^rd March 2013

Today was the day that we had been planning for a little while – we were off to Brugge, but it would mean a night in London to be able to be at St Pancras in time for the Eurostar.

So it was up early and get the final packing completed – we have been getting better at reducing the amount that we take – down to two cases and a backpack.

Dot and Gordon (nb Ewn Ha Cul) had agreed to look after Banjo for the morning until Ellie (nb Parisien Star) was back from her trip to Germany – she wanted to look after him for our time away – think she is missing Mick and needed Banjo as a distraction.

Anyway Banjo was taken for his “dog-sitting” – he was in for a morning of spoiling (we were sure of that) and we were off to catch the bus to Stafford for the train into London via a stop at Watford for a visit and mail.

Managed the stopover quite well and then into Euston and the Underground – we had been told by Phil (Diane’s cousin and an underground driver) where we needed to go – easy peasy – Northern line south to Bank and then the DLR to Custom House Excel – we had a booking at the Novotel (mystery booking at a reduced rate – very pleased with the rate).

We took the opportunity in this time to add some credit to our Oyster Cards and got through it all OK – until we arrived at Bank – the DLR line through Custom House was closed due to maintenance, but a bus service was operating – no problems.

Arrived at the hotel, checked in, checked it all out – very comfortable indeed.

A very nice meal out and then a comfortable nights sleep – breakfast was not included but we availed ourselves of the buffet – and reasonably priced.

a very London morning

The O2

The Emirates Air-Line sky lift over to Breenwich Peninsula

The remains of the old derricks stay as a reminder of the
origins of the area

in tribute to the thousands (maybe millions) of people who
worked and toiled in this area of the docks

In all of this time – the evening before and early the next morning we did some walking around to check out the area – this was the Royal Dock area and off the main line of the Thames – it had obviously been part of the old docks of London and now after the regeneration – which included the Excel conference and exhibition halls – was looking forward to a new life – there is still some work to be done but it is starting to come back to life.

On the train trip out from Bank to Canning Town (before we had to get the replacement bus service) we noted that we passed by Limehouse station and more importantly – Limehouse basin.

Limehouse basin

The start (or end) of the Regents Canal

The DLR is so close by - note the footbridge on the right where
the runner is approaching - to the left of that is the Regent canal
- to the right is Limehouse Basin - this picture is taken from the
DLR Limehouse station

As we were ready very early after breakfast we decided that we could afford to break our trip back to St Pancras and visit the basin and have a good look around – never too early to do some planning for future years – it looks quite good and deserves some serious consideration for a future winter base – 3 to 4 months in London.

We still had plenty of time to get to St. Pancras and we were there with time to spare, but not the usual hours of time to wait.

Another solution - maybe?

Friday 1^st March 2013

We had been having a chat on Thursday with Andy and Jean on nb Josephine and they told us about a small heater that they had purchased for their wardrobe where there is a corner with a bit of moisture and dampness in it.

They showed what they had bought – a tubular heater – 120W/240V/120cm, which then got us thinking about some areas where we wanted to introduce a bit of heat, so it was on to the web to investigate and within an hour we had ordered and paid for 3 of the 60W/240V/60cm type as well as a guard for one – and to be delivered – all for under ₤60.

We were in Stone to pick up a package from Diane’s mum and she casually enquired if there was one for me – and yes there was – great service – order delivered next day and the picture below shows them.

3 tubular heaters and guard

As this post is a now a week later, we have installed two of them and whilst they do not give off huge amounts of heat, they do give off enough thay we feel it may solve the problem(s) and without using too much power either.

Au Revoir

Thursday 28th February 2013

It is a sad fact about this boating life that like life, boats also move on and as you come towards the end of winter, one-by-one each of us will start to go our separate ways - some will be cruising all through until next winter; others will be in and out; and still more may not move at all.

But it is for certain that the group that comes together before Xmas and spends months together enjoying the company of each other will not be the same group ever again; but it doesn't mean that we won't see each other again - some we will see vey quickly and other maybe not for a few years.

all we can contemplate is how many will be gone next year -
but it's such a lovely sunny day we'll not be concerned about it
for now

This one is enjoying the sunny weather

In full wingspan

Anticipation of their cruise

Today we watched and waved as Elaine and Paul (nb Caxton aka nb Manly Ferry) were off for a cruise - admittedly to have the boat blacked - doing the job themselves - good luck - this will be the last time we see you so clean for a while.

All the crew accounted for - the cats were still inside

Goodbye for now

almost disappeared

As we each cruise away from our winter-jailer we should just say Au Revoir - for we will meet again

It is only about 10 days until we will be off ourselves - but we have a few days away before all of that - we are very much looking forward to trip this week - a country that we have not been to before.

The last throes of marina life

Wednesday 20^th February to Thursday 28^th February 2013

What have we been up to this last week? What haven’t we been up to.

Let’s just summarise all of this

      ·         Been to Stoke for a 60^th anniversary performance of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap –
             went along with Dot, Elaine, Gordon and Paul; bussed our way there via Newcastle
             (under Lyme);

·        After the theatre we were back to Stone for a Pie night at The Three Crowns – this was pre-booked and we were joined by Joan, Jim, Rolly and Rob – we sort of helped to deplete the cellar of a red wine

·         Managed to complete the kitchen floor – finally, and happy to say that it looks pretty good

The new floor - finally finished

·         Laid some new carpet under the dinette table – many thanks to Joan and Jim for the roll of carpet after they had their boat redone.

And the new carpet

·         Sorted out wheels for the Shroppie when we visit there in a few weeks – they will float on the surface and keep us clear of the shelf.

·         We have sorted out the cupboard below the TV – finally after 2 years – no need to rush these things – cleared up the different cords for TV and radio and created more space; as well as vacuum packed the linen and towels down to almost nothing.

·         Off into Stafford to pick up more things from B&Q and supermarkets – obviously to fill up into the empty space that we have created.

·       There was the usual Monday gathering - the talk was definitey about cruising, moving and summer.

Paul and Elaine - ready for the move

Comrade Paul

·         Managed to order the new Perspex and magnets for the new improved double glazing that many here have installed and extolling the virtues

·         Once it had arrived there was the inevitable pressure (sorry that should be gentle coercive persuasion) to put up one of these which was relatively easy and seems to be working quite well (after a few hours as I write)

·         There was a repeat gathering at The Three Crowns for their Wednesday pie night – this time 14 of us – the new comers were Bev, Barb, Phil and Sally. Once again we have lightened the red wine stocks.

It's pie night - Elaine, Joan and Jim

And red wine all around - Dot, Gordon (obscured), Paul and Elaine

We have been quite busy.

Gentlemen (and gentlewomen) - start your engines
and clear your way through the fog

Meanwhile the weather has been slowly improving; whilst it has been quite cold in the mornings, we have been getting a dose of what we would all like it to be soon – the sun has been poking it’s way through the clouds.

It is just so invigorating to have the sun on your back.

We are looking forward to our impending trip away and once back it will be just a few days before we are off cruising now that the CaRT maintenance is nearing it’s end.