These are just some general photos that we have taken to further enhance the
memories of Paris that we have
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Paris Part 4 - Arc d'Triumph
Memorials to the fallen in war are always poignant and this is much the same.
But it also serves as a focus for tourists not just as a memorial but for the architecture and the views from the top of the 244 step climb.
 |
| the clib was by sprial staircase - up and down |
Monday, 19 August 2013
Paris - Part 3 - not a hunchback in sight
How did we handle the language?
We made sure that we did not adopt the Joey Barton methodology - whom we
think had watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail just a few too many times
You just cannot speak english in a ridiculously French accent and expect that to
be fluent in this lovely language.
We managed to order coffee, lunch and make sure that the locals knew that we were
Australian and not English - and with that they accepted us with no problems at all
We spent our last morning at Notre Dame, but declined the few steps up to the
top of the tower
Paris - Part 2 - a place close to home
We can't go too far without finding a canal and it was too true for Paris as well
- here we found the Canal de Saint Martin which began at the
Port de Plaisancy de Paris basin
 |
| the commencement of the canal proper - the tunnel entrance |
 |
| and the tunnel exit - straight into a staircase lock |
 |
| the operationwas controlled b the lockkeeper - sitting comfortably the small building on the left |
 |
| the swing bridge was also controlled remotely by the lockkeeper |
Ahhh Paris - Part 1 - La Tour Eiffel
We have had such a wonderful time in Paris last week that I am not going to
spend too many words on writing about it - hopefully the photos will bear
witness to how we found this lovely city.
It was a terrific way to celebrate 30years of marriage -
Monday, 12 August 2013
HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY - 13th August
It is 30 years since we were married and I have to say that I have been the happiest man in the world since first I met Diane - she does have to put up with a lot of things that I jokingly say about her, but she is a good sport about it all.
We are away this week to somewhere special to celebrate it all.
So you will have to wait until we return !!
We are away this week to somewhere special to celebrate it all.
So you will have to wait until we return !!
Soon to be off !
Wednesday 7th August to
Monday 12th August 2013
We really haven’t done a lot this week – well at least not in terms that anyone else would be interested, so I haven’t written.
But I need to take care of that today.
We ventured into Stone on both Thursday and Friday – there were appointments – both with the vet (Banjo) and with the doctor (Diane) – luckily we didn’t mix them up.
Banjo is getting better – the infection in his throat has just about disappeared and the fluid in his lung, likewise, has almost gone – it is easy to see that he is getting better – he is bounding along; tail wagging; and he is a lot brighter in himself.
As for Diane – she is bounding along; tail wagging – no that’s not right – she is well also – a bit more shine in her coat.
On our return trip from Stone to the marina, we caught sight of nb Rock’n’Roll at the water point, so we strolled down to see how George and Carol were – very well was the answer – on their way to Great Haywood.
Shortly after that Hayden on nb Tinker cruised by after coming down the lock – so we gave him a bit of stick which is reciprocated – all in the friendly way it is intended.
George and Carol were just about finished with their water tank – we had caught up with the state of play with their composting toilet – all going well – and sought out their update on the diesel stove – one of which we are about to install. Important things that require input from all concerned.
Just then, we observed three familiar figures walking down from the lock – Sue, Dave and Bella (nb Cockney Sparra), so we said our farewells to George and Carol and walked back to the marina with Dave and Sue.
And a very pleasant walk it was – hardly noticed the distance – and you tend not to whilst you are chatting and putting the world right again.
A bit of painting of the boat – around one of the windows where some tape had pulled away paint – leaving bare metal and now some surface rust – so sand, prime and first coat have all been achieved – not a brilliant key into the existing paintwork but acceptable for now – still one more coat to go.
Apart from all of these exciting things we have only packed our bags for a few days away – Banjo has been sent off to the kennels.
Mary the owner of the kennels came by to pick Banjo up.
I have to say that the cattlegrid installed at the front gate to the marina does it’s job very well indeed – it really does keep the livestock in – both Banjo and Diane could not get across – they both had to use the side gate
And we will be off soon ourselves – all I can say is that it involves a train, a tunnel and a tower.
No travel
We really haven’t done a lot this week – well at least not in terms that anyone else would be interested, so I haven’t written.
But I need to take care of that today.
We ventured into Stone on both Thursday and Friday – there were appointments – both with the vet (Banjo) and with the doctor (Diane) – luckily we didn’t mix them up.
Banjo is getting better – the infection in his throat has just about disappeared and the fluid in his lung, likewise, has almost gone – it is easy to see that he is getting better – he is bounding along; tail wagging; and he is a lot brighter in himself.
As for Diane – she is bounding along; tail wagging – no that’s not right – she is well also – a bit more shine in her coat.
On our return trip from Stone to the marina, we caught sight of nb Rock’n’Roll at the water point, so we strolled down to see how George and Carol were – very well was the answer – on their way to Great Haywood.
Shortly after that Hayden on nb Tinker cruised by after coming down the lock – so we gave him a bit of stick which is reciprocated – all in the friendly way it is intended.
George and Carol were just about finished with their water tank – we had caught up with the state of play with their composting toilet – all going well – and sought out their update on the diesel stove – one of which we are about to install. Important things that require input from all concerned.
Just then, we observed three familiar figures walking down from the lock – Sue, Dave and Bella (nb Cockney Sparra), so we said our farewells to George and Carol and walked back to the marina with Dave and Sue.
And a very pleasant walk it was – hardly noticed the distance – and you tend not to whilst you are chatting and putting the world right again.
A bit of painting of the boat – around one of the windows where some tape had pulled away paint – leaving bare metal and now some surface rust – so sand, prime and first coat have all been achieved – not a brilliant key into the existing paintwork but acceptable for now – still one more coat to go.
Apart from all of these exciting things we have only packed our bags for a few days away – Banjo has been sent off to the kennels.
Mary the owner of the kennels came by to pick Banjo up.
I have to say that the cattlegrid installed at the front gate to the marina does it’s job very well indeed – it really does keep the livestock in – both Banjo and Diane could not get across – they both had to use the side gate
And we will be off soon ourselves – all I can say is that it involves a train, a tunnel and a tower.
No travel
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Mind the gap !
Monday 5th August to
Tuesday 6th August 2013
Now back in the marina, hooked up to power, it feels neither like something new or something old – it was somewhere where we were revisiting.
But glad we are that we are back for a short while – there are a few more things that we need to take care of.
One thing that now definitely is finished is the sealing of the windows – after taking them all out, cleaning them up, sanding the rusty areas back and priming and painting, putting them back in and varnishing the timber frames, I can report that we have not had any leaks after the bouts of heavy rain that have appeared on a few occasions in the last few weeks – that one is gone from the list.
Last November when we had our kitchen remodelled, Mike took the time to create a side extension for the bed that can be raised and lowered when needed. It allowed us to move the mattress out from beneath the gunwhale and therefore use all of it.
That meant a small gap between the side of the mattress and the inside side of the boat – a bit of a chance to hang the foot our or a stray arm – if the mood took effect.
Usually the job of arranging the bed such is left to me and it doesn’t take too much movement to place it correctly.
Last night when I was taking Banjo for his last walk I left the job to the management; consequently when I took to the bed and moved to the gunwhale I was left with a gaping hole where once I could lie securely – the space enveloped me as I was dragged down into the chasm – seemingly by some monster from beneath the supports – a leviathan that lurked below – kept warm by the calorifier, now ready to wreak revenge on some poor unsuspecting victim – namely me.
Almost disappearing from view and from life itself, I only just managed to scramble out of the void – no thanks to the bedmate, who could only disguise her not so obvious concerns with some hearty giggling and outright laughter.
No more will she be allowed to upset the bed equilibrium again – at least not before she has had some proper training.
No sympathy, just uncontrolled mirth – oh the indignity of it all!!
No travel
Now back in the marina, hooked up to power, it feels neither like something new or something old – it was somewhere where we were revisiting.
But glad we are that we are back for a short while – there are a few more things that we need to take care of.
One thing that now definitely is finished is the sealing of the windows – after taking them all out, cleaning them up, sanding the rusty areas back and priming and painting, putting them back in and varnishing the timber frames, I can report that we have not had any leaks after the bouts of heavy rain that have appeared on a few occasions in the last few weeks – that one is gone from the list.
Last November when we had our kitchen remodelled, Mike took the time to create a side extension for the bed that can be raised and lowered when needed. It allowed us to move the mattress out from beneath the gunwhale and therefore use all of it.
That meant a small gap between the side of the mattress and the inside side of the boat – a bit of a chance to hang the foot our or a stray arm – if the mood took effect.
Usually the job of arranging the bed such is left to me and it doesn’t take too much movement to place it correctly.
Last night when I was taking Banjo for his last walk I left the job to the management; consequently when I took to the bed and moved to the gunwhale I was left with a gaping hole where once I could lie securely – the space enveloped me as I was dragged down into the chasm – seemingly by some monster from beneath the supports – a leviathan that lurked below – kept warm by the calorifier, now ready to wreak revenge on some poor unsuspecting victim – namely me.
Almost disappearing from view and from life itself, I only just managed to scramble out of the void – no thanks to the bedmate, who could only disguise her not so obvious concerns with some hearty giggling and outright laughter.
No more will she be allowed to upset the bed equilibrium again – at least not before she has had some proper training.
No sympathy, just uncontrolled mirth – oh the indignity of it all!!
No travel
Sunday, 4 August 2013
4 weeks out and it just seems like yesterday...
Wednesday 24th July to
Sunday 4th August 2013
We headed up from Burton
The pumpout was especially pleasing – only clear water coming through by the end of it.
The marina looks extremely inviting with the caf̩, pub and a significant range of shops available Рon our way back up this way in a few weeks we will be in to take an even closer look.
The mooring(s) that we had wanted were gone but we did secure one just a bit
further on – not as much shade but still very good indeed.
A group of people carrying things and banging stakes into the ground were
making their way around – seems that there was a festival on there on the
weekend – this being Wednesday meant that we would be moving before then anyway
– what was on the stakes? – reservations for mooring spaces – luckily they had
sufficient for those that had booked – we had our 48 hour mooring where we
were.
The weather continued to be very warm to hot; the shade was appreciated; the
BBQ made its way out again; more work was completed on the boat – the back
doors (outside) were sanded back again and primed – the first time of spot
priming didn’t work well enough.
Thursday afternoon and a knocking at the back doors – well fancy me – if it wasn’t Lynn and Phil (nb Valentine) – what a great surprise – they were out on a circuit of the 4 counties ring with a detour to Alrewas and they came upon us.
We caught up with our respective travels over tea and the beginnings of a plan for the coming week seemed to be formulated.
Probably the only reason we decided to move on Friday rather than spending a night and checking out the festival was the fact that rain was being forecasted on Saturday and we would rather miss cruising in that, so whilst Valentine winded, we fetched Ferndale from further back and we cruised firstly to Fradley Junction where Valentine took on water and then a bit further up at Fradley Wood where we had a break for lunch.
We had been discussing the increasing disregard for others – e.g. a distinct
lack of slowing down to pass moored boat; a lack of help from other boaters at
locks – in fact the very last lock we traversed prior to lunch was Lock 19
(above the junction) – the boat behind (which happened to be a hire boat) did
send a young lad (about 18 or 19) up to the lock – principally to set it for
them – certainly not to help anyone else.
As we were about to leave, he stood on the bridge facing back to his boat waving the windlass as in triumph that we were finally going – he copped an earful about not bothering to ask if any help was required and as he made a step forward to help us he was told again.
Anyway the lunch break helped and after a leisurely time we were both off again – we made our way for Armitage and The Plum Pudding – we had each been there but not actually been inside; so we would today for dinner.
It is a pleasant pub with very good food as well as very good service.
We took advantage of the moorings for the pub and stayed the night – for us it was very quiet.
Next day we needed to be off – the moorings were nice but very open to the sun and as well as this Lynn and Phil needed to get to Great Haywood for the following day when they had friends visiting.
So a reasonably early start and we all stopped at Rugeley for a shopping break – the Aldi and Morrisons were both visited as well as a couple of things from the market.
We headed off for the aqueduct moorings – we wanted to try these since we last went through here just a few weeks ago – found a lovely spot – still open but quiet – not long after Valentine was passing and we waved them off – knowing that we would catch up in a day or so.
The sun shone and the clouds provided a bit of relief; we were close enough to Rugeley that Sunday would not be a day without the mandatory paper to read in bed for she who must be obeyed, but along the way I found a Marstons pub (The Stag’s Leap) for lunch – just 500 metres away.
An excellent lunch was had – and D especially enjoyed the unlimited potatoes available.
We didn’t move on Sunday afternoon because not long after we returned to the boat the rains came and it was going to be an afternoon inside and not cruising; but Monday made up for it – coolish but a bit humid; plenty of boats on the move and we aimed for Great Haywood – through the lock and into the last mooring spot available.
Coincidentally,Lynn
Off to the Clifford Arms that night for a drink after our respective dinners – dogs permitted here.
Then come Tuesday we headed further on – but not very far at all.
After taking on water and then Phil and I waiting for the pair of them to empty the Farm Shop, Valentine headed away.
We were very happy to see Annie and Chas (nb Moore 2 Life) whom we hadn’t seen for quite a while and without anyone needing the waterpoint we chatted for quite a while until they needed to catch their taxi for Stafford and we needed to head off as well.
This way of life is such that little treat’s like this come along with such regularity that you think that it cannot get better that this – so good to see both Annie and Chas again.
We didn’t cruise far at all – only to some moorings that we had be seeking to try out near Ingestre Hall – and luckily for us they were free.
There wasn’t too much effort involved in being able to spend two nights here
– one of the days was a bit cooler than the other and with some rain.
Time was now approaching for all of us that signalled the end of our time out from home and we had one last fling with being out – ending the time with the short trip into Stone where we found moorings in the 14-day length; a trip to the Star Inn and one to The Royal Exchange – strictly for sampling reasons only.
We also needed to get Banjo to the vet – he has not been at all well for a few weeks now – something we had put down to the hot and humid weather, but one which appears to be based upon a throat infection which has developed into fluid in the lungs – poor dear that he is – he just wanted to lie down and do as little as possible – with some helpful pills he is now a lot better but still under doctors orders – eating again and peeing a lot.
We met up with Geoff (nb Sayella) and had a good chat with him about any number of things but mainly to do with his impending painting of the boat – the preparation looks to be spot on and we did see it from a distance after they had gone into the dry dock at Canal Cruising – Geoff, we are looking forward to the pictures.
You really do know when it is time to return to the marina – it happens to coincide with a full black tank – we have a few things to do whilst we are in – none more important than finalising the hearth for the stove – that is now in hand with a consultation from Phil (nb Evergreen) who resides at the end of our pontoon.
31 Miles, 20 Locks, 1 Tunnel
Totals: 1961 Miles, 1432 Locks, 62 Tunnels, 29Lift Bridges
 |
| almost ready for the stove to go in |
The pumpout was especially pleasing – only clear water coming through by the end of it.
The marina looks extremely inviting with the caf̩, pub and a significant range of shops available Рon our way back up this way in a few weeks we will be in to take an even closer look.
 |
| a queue - what queue - both boats were on the water point; so we were ready to go for the lock |
 |
| below Wychnor Lock - quite appealing |
 |
| a particularly "evil" cow - ready to attack |
Thursday afternoon and a knocking at the back doors – well fancy me – if it wasn’t Lynn and Phil (nb Valentine) – what a great surprise – they were out on a circuit of the 4 counties ring with a detour to Alrewas and they came upon us.
We caught up with our respective travels over tea and the beginnings of a plan for the coming week seemed to be formulated.
Probably the only reason we decided to move on Friday rather than spending a night and checking out the festival was the fact that rain was being forecasted on Saturday and we would rather miss cruising in that, so whilst Valentine winded, we fetched Ferndale from further back and we cruised firstly to Fradley Junction where Valentine took on water and then a bit further up at Fradley Wood where we had a break for lunch.
As we were about to leave, he stood on the bridge facing back to his boat waving the windlass as in triumph that we were finally going – he copped an earful about not bothering to ask if any help was required and as he made a step forward to help us he was told again.
Anyway the lunch break helped and after a leisurely time we were both off again – we made our way for Armitage and The Plum Pudding – we had each been there but not actually been inside; so we would today for dinner.
It is a pleasant pub with very good food as well as very good service.
We took advantage of the moorings for the pub and stayed the night – for us it was very quiet.
Next day we needed to be off – the moorings were nice but very open to the sun and as well as this Lynn and Phil needed to get to Great Haywood for the following day when they had friends visiting.
So a reasonably early start and we all stopped at Rugeley for a shopping break – the Aldi and Morrisons were both visited as well as a couple of things from the market.
We headed off for the aqueduct moorings – we wanted to try these since we last went through here just a few weeks ago – found a lovely spot – still open but quiet – not long after Valentine was passing and we waved them off – knowing that we would catch up in a day or so.
The sun shone and the clouds provided a bit of relief; we were close enough to Rugeley that Sunday would not be a day without the mandatory paper to read in bed for she who must be obeyed, but along the way I found a Marstons pub (The Stag’s Leap) for lunch – just 500 metres away.
An excellent lunch was had – and D especially enjoyed the unlimited potatoes available.
We didn’t move on Sunday afternoon because not long after we returned to the boat the rains came and it was going to be an afternoon inside and not cruising; but Monday made up for it – coolish but a bit humid; plenty of boats on the move and we aimed for Great Haywood – through the lock and into the last mooring spot available.
Coincidentally,
Off to the Clifford Arms that night for a drink after our respective dinners – dogs permitted here.
Then come Tuesday we headed further on – but not very far at all.
After taking on water and then Phil and I waiting for the pair of them to empty the Farm Shop, Valentine headed away.
We were very happy to see Annie and Chas (nb Moore 2 Life) whom we hadn’t seen for quite a while and without anyone needing the waterpoint we chatted for quite a while until they needed to catch their taxi for Stafford and we needed to head off as well.
This way of life is such that little treat’s like this come along with such regularity that you think that it cannot get better that this – so good to see both Annie and Chas again.
We didn’t cruise far at all – only to some moorings that we had be seeking to try out near Ingestre Hall – and luckily for us they were free.
 |
| nb Valentine - after a new paint job |
Time was now approaching for all of us that signalled the end of our time out from home and we had one last fling with being out – ending the time with the short trip into Stone where we found moorings in the 14-day length; a trip to the Star Inn and one to The Royal Exchange – strictly for sampling reasons only.
We also needed to get Banjo to the vet – he has not been at all well for a few weeks now – something we had put down to the hot and humid weather, but one which appears to be based upon a throat infection which has developed into fluid in the lungs – poor dear that he is – he just wanted to lie down and do as little as possible – with some helpful pills he is now a lot better but still under doctors orders – eating again and peeing a lot.
We met up with Geoff (nb Sayella) and had a good chat with him about any number of things but mainly to do with his impending painting of the boat – the preparation looks to be spot on and we did see it from a distance after they had gone into the dry dock at Canal Cruising – Geoff, we are looking forward to the pictures.
You really do know when it is time to return to the marina – it happens to coincide with a full black tank – we have a few things to do whilst we are in – none more important than finalising the hearth for the stove – that is now in hand with a consultation from Phil (nb Evergreen) who resides at the end of our pontoon.
31 Miles, 20 Locks, 1 Tunnel
Totals: 1961 Miles, 1432 Locks, 62 Tunnels, 29
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