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Cruising donkeys
Cruising donkeys

Cruising donkeys

har rejst i 12 lande Læs mere🇬🇬Guernsey
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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Double push barge
    Bolene lock at the bottomBolene lock at the topBarge at top entranceDonzere channelHail storm

    Best laid plans...

    13. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Well it’s been an interesting few days. Sadly our night at Roquemaure was cut short, John awoke just before 1am to the boat rocking around a lot, ‘ it’s just a passing barge’ he mumbles, I point out that it’s been getting steadily worse for the last hour and is nothing to do with passing traffic but the rising wind. He has a look around and decides that we had better move, luckily we should be able OK across the river on the ‘passenger boat quay’.
    It was a bit scary crossing in the dark and trying to tie to something we hadn’t seen before but we got there, it was still bumpy but better.
    In the morning we decided to set of earlyish to Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts passing through one lock on the way, it was wind against current for the whole trip and not pleasant. Who would have thought I would have had to worry about seasickness on a river!
    Fortunately and unfortunately the pontoon that supposed to be at Saint Etienne wasn’t there, even if it had been it would have been very untenable. New plan either travel a further 37km to next probable pontoon in Viviers or try anchoring in the mouth of the Old Rhône 2km along. We decided to try anchoring and see how things went. This was a good choice the anchorage was lovely, swans and herons, the downside was the very noisy trains, they sounded like fighter jets but at least it was sheltered. With nothing to do I started another knitting project, we spent the night there the trains stopped and wind died so it was a quiet night.
    This morning we headed towards Viviers things were going well, we passed through the Bollène lock rising 23m, a double barge pusher, came out just before we went in and another 120m 2302ton barge was waiting to enter when we exited. The canal was bordered by lots of industry and a nuclear plant. Just as we reached the scenic Donzère gorge there was a huge storm, thunder, lightning, hail, rain and wind. Incredible!    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Remains of Chatrauneuf du Pape Castle
    John sampling his Chateauneuf du PapeSome of the Chateauneuf vineyardsPanorama off vineyards and castle

    Off we go again

    11. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We have traveled a bit further North stopping at Roquemaure, the home of the Côte de Rhône wine appellation. With this in mind we visited Rocca Maura for wine tasting and bought a few bottles that fortunately they delivered to the boat for us. Then we cycled to the other side of the Rhône and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region and town where John tried what he assures me was a delicious bottle of 2017 Masion Trintignaut Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it should be amazing for what it cost! Nice town lots of winding streets and wine cellars. The plan for tomorrow is to head to Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts almost in the southern Ardèche.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Street in Arles
    Saint Trophime churchPlace de Republic and MairieAmphitheatreInside the corridors of the AmphitheatreAmphitheatre as used for bull fights

    Arles - without the boat

    10. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We had been told the Roman ruins and walled nature of the old town made Arles worth a visit. We had hoped initially to visit it by cycling, back when we were based in Port Saint Louis, but the timing was never right and then we hoped to stop there with Take Five as our first Rhône mooring but we weren’t allowed to moor along side the Peniche restaurant, a barge boat, due to Covid restrictions so we took a train.
    The old walled town is very picturesque and large sections of the walls remain but they no longer ring the town as they do here in Avignon and did in Aigues Mortes. Not all of the tourist sites were open due to Covid but we did visit the Roman Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater. Both are used today so certain adaptations and restorations have been made. I think if we hadn’t already visited numerous examples of both we would have been more impressed. From the exterior the Amphitheater looks great but inside there is a lot of tiered metal seating and the interior circle is wood lined for the bull fights regularly held there. We were told no bulls are killed but who knows. We both ate delicious galettes for lunch to pretend we were in northern rather than southern France.
    Tomorrow we have decided to move on probably not far hopefully to Rochemaure for a wine tour about the Côte du Rhône appellation which originated there.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Avignon
    Rue de la MonnaieSt Andre from the Bell TowerNotre Dame churchLa ChartreuseFort Saint Andre

    Villeneuve les Avignon

    9. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Not wanting to be accused of taking things easy after the Pont we cycled across the Rhône to Villeneuve to follow one the other self guided routes in the local tourist brochure. First stop the King Philippe Bell Tower, then through the old town which is apparently very affluent before a look at the La Chartreuse monastery. Now before anyone gets excited this is nothing to the with alcohol, it’s the national centre for script writing says our book. Then up to Fort and Abbey Saint André all very picturesque.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Looking north
    Looking SEJohn having an isolated coffeeBig beetlePrehistoric cave

    Pont du Gard

    9. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    This morning we caught the bus, no charge, but masks obligatory, to go to Pont du Gard. This is a particularly impressive aqueduct that was constructed in 50AD by the Romans, well most of the work was obviously done by slaves but at the instigation of the Romans. The full aqueduct bought water from Uzès to Nimes over a distance of almost 50km, the Pont du Gard section is 275m wide, at least I think that was what they said, the length of three A380s big planes?
    We arrived just as it was opening and were first across the bridge that was added to the aqueduct in the 1700s when it became a historic monument. We mooched around the gardens and land either side, nearly getting lost had a coffee in the deserted cafe probably only because we were early, before a visit to the museum for the educational bit. We caught the bus back, again free for some reason, not just for us no one had to pay and this seemed to come as a surprise to the locals as well as us.    Læs mere

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    Avignon

    6. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Nice easy day yesterday only 15km and we have arrived in Avignon, we plan to stay for a few days to visit some of the nearby historic sites as there are good transport connections here. Had our first meal out in two months, last night delicious. Doing some local sightseeing today and maybe some laundry, the excitement of it all. The river is very quiet saw one commercial barge yesterday and we were the first visitors to the Aramon pontoon and the only transit boat here in Avignon. More photos later on there are lots of historic buildings here.Læs mere

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    Aramon

    5. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    And after a 7hour journey we are moored in Aramon. The walled village used to be actually on the banks of the river until it was diverted. It’s a beautiful little place lots of picturesque lanes and corners here are a few for you to look at.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    St Gilles lock
    The Rhone looking backChateau de roi Rene TarasconEntering Beaucaire lockInside the lockExiting Beaucaire lock

    We’ve finally made it to the Rhone

    5. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Well we spent two nights on the free stop just south of St Gilles as our next run was going to be a longish one about 50km to either Aramon if there was room or 65km to Avignon. We had hoped to be able to take the boat to Arles and moor alongside Le Peniche restaurant as it said in Captains Mate but no luck the manager said there was no room for us, this would have been only 25km. Today we tackled the St Gilles lock, that was nice and easy only a 2foot height increase, then a 20km pootle along the Petit Rhône following the channel markers before arriving at the Rhône proper, we saw three other boats today all live aboards and all going south (down river). We passed Tarascon with the Chateau du roi Rene right on the river bank, stunning. There was a fair bit of current on the Rhône until we got through the giant lock by Beaucaire just after the Chateau. The Beaucaire lock was a rise of about 45ft, it was dark at the bottom when we went in but nice and bright at the top when we came out. The next part of the journey was nice and deep and had minimal current as it was on the Vallabregues reservoir, a 1000 hectare balancing reservoir and hydroelectric plant.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Leaving Aigues-Mortes again
    Looking forwardLooking backCamargue, not a hill in sightOur mooring

    St Gilles lock ..... nearly

    3. juni 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    While anchored off Sète we took the opportunity to walk to the big hyper market to look for more John compatible food, we found some but not the biscuits he was craving. On our return to the boat we decided to give the hull a clean while we had use of the dinghy and then another quick dip. We then hauled the dinghy on board and headed back across the Etang and through the canal towards Frontignan we were in time for the 16:00 bridge lifting. On our way through we met a boat from A-M and could wave and ask how they were, that’s a novel experience for us. We decided not to spend the night in Frontignan but to go to one of the free stops along the canal. On our way we passed a barge loaded with dredged mud being pushed along and zigzagging as it did, luckily it was a wide bit of canal. Once we reached our spot we were all alone it was lovely, I cleaned, deflated and repacked the dinghy. This time we have left it on the forward deck just behind the anchor winch rather than in the shower!
    Yesterday we moved further along the canal, this time passing a boat pulling 300m of dredging pipe, I think we have seen most sights now. We stopped for lunch near the Maguelone Abbey, still closed as it is a refuge for the ill so isn’t opening its doors until July at the earliest. Again we met some of the winter livaboards from A-M they helped us moor up, we were able to walk to the beach and I had a dip my last until we reach the northern shores. We arrived back in A-M in time for a chat with Chris our new friend, did some shopping, showered and collected the bikes. We left there late today and did a fuel run while tied up near the supermarket (their fuel is a lot cheaper than marinas, but it involves multiple trips with big jerry cans in a shopping trolley). Then we headed towards the lock at St Gilles, we are now tied up near there for the night with only sheep for company. On today’s trip we saw a king fisher as well as the usual Herons, Egrets, bee eaters, starlings, swallows cormorants and sparrows.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Bouzigues harbour
    Bouzigues streetView from Mount St Clare(boat is there)Local church in SeteMount St Clare lighthouseNotre Dame de Salette Chapel

    Bouzigues and Sete

    31. maj 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Frontignan was OK but a bit dreary so we set off the next morning planning on going to the Bassin de Midi in Sète. The journey wasn’t long but we missed the morning bridge lifting and the next one wasn’t until 19:15 so we headed north on the Etang du Thau and crossed to Bouzigues the harbour wasn’t very big but there was a UK registered boat on the visitors quay and he said he would move as was only there getting ready to sail. We thanked him and after waiting eased ourselves carefully in, the space was only a little bigger than we were. Bouzigues was small and pretty obviously it would usually have been full of tourists but we were able to wander around and buy an ice cream so we were happy.
    Next day after following Alex’s live HIIT class we decided to head back towards Sète but this time we would just anchor off and use the dinghy to take in the sights from the river. Well best laid plans and all that, we inflated the dinghy but the outboard wouldn’t start so new plan row ashore and walk around town instead. It was lovely walking along the river/canal towards the sea, then up around the headland to the lighthouse and then up to St Clare’s Mount and the chapel of our lady of Salette and wonderful views, we could even see Take Five. Back down for another ice cream before returning to the boat. This will probably be our last time at anchor until we reach North coast of France.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    HeronClose call with a PenicheLifting bridge at Frontignan in backgroundOops

    We’re moving......

    29. maj 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    OK so we are mobile which is good news but we are heading west which is the bad news as we really need to go North.
    The thing is we were getting very itchy feet and although there was an update on further lockdown easing measures no reference was made to the full opening of the waterways. We already knew that l’herault and Le Gard had decided to allow pleasure craft on the Petit Rhône, Canal Rhône a Sète and the Canal Midi provided no locks were needed but that the locks were to open today the 29May. We discussed options with some English and French liveaboards and decided to head towards Sète for a change of scenery as there were no locks and the two bridges that needed to open were manned.
    So today after a leisure breakfast and a farewell cuppa with Chris and Fiona off we went. It was great to be on the move, we had no real plan about how far to go but we have reached Frontignan and arrived just in time for the lifting bridge, wonderful. We were passed by one Peniche thank goodness we were on a wider section as there was little or no room, the keel scraped something but we were only 1m from the Peniche so couldn’t go any closer. On our way we saw a few collections of houses in random places, it looked like you had to reach some by boat as no road we could see. There were lots of flamingos, herons, bee eaters as well as seagulls and black winged stilt, a new one for us. We will however be returning to Aigues-Mortes on our way back towards the Rhône as we managed to leave our pushbikes there, muppets.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Looking west on Rhone Sete canal at Aigues Mortes bypass
    Bee eater birds next to the canalLooking west towards Sete from the Portes de VidourleMulberry treeBois de Quincadon

    Still in Aigues- Mortes

    22. maj 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    It’s been a while since my last post mostly because we haven’t been doing very much that’s note worthy. Anyway here is an update.
    In theory the canals will reopen for pleasure craft on the 29th as all necessary checks, maintenance and staff will be in place say the vnf, they’re responsible for the navigable waterways of France, however it is up to the Prefecture of each area to decide whether or not to allow pleasure boats. Great! We have do idea who to ask or how we are just planning on setting off and seeing how far we get before we are stopped.
    Here in Aigues-Mortes it is almost business as normal but with hand sanitizer everywhere and masks for shops. Lots of bars and cafes are doing takeaway food and drink which is weird but they need the money, the French economy isn’t doing great.
    Today we decided to go for a walk even though we are now dogless as her owner decided to defy the travel ban and head to Sète anyway, he hasn’t come back so we can only assume he’s OK. We walked up the western side of the Aigues-Mortes triangle and then west along the Rhône a Sète canal to the Portes de Vidourle. From there we walked a little way south along the Vidourle river before turning Eastwards and walking through the Bois de Quincadon. We stopped near the start of the woods to pick mulberries of the three trees we found on our last walk that way. Then continued on though the woods to the outskirts of town, it’s was lovely but very warm. The temperature is now 33degs but thankfully here on the back of the boat there is a lovely breeze.
    The other thing to be thankful for, we hope, is the arrival of our mobile air con unit, just got to sort out the venting hose.    Læs mere

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    lockdown easing

    10. maj 2020, Frankrig ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    We finished recaulking the forward deck on 7th and then sanded and re oiled on the 8th as there was a weather warning that it might rain. We are pleased and even if we do say so ourselves it looks pretty damn good. I wrote a short article for the Press about celebrating Liberation Day while in Southern France and it was published on the letters page. The forecasters were right about the weather there was light rain late on Liberation Day evening and today it feels like it’s be raining constantly but it hasn’t as we managed to walk Twader without getting drenched just a bit damp.
    Today John managed to fix the kitchen porthole, he had inadvertently broken one of the closing bolts, but has removed and replaced it so all good, well it was actually OK when it was broken as there are two bolts and we could tighten it enough there there were no leaks. I have started on repurposing our old kitchen seat cushions, the plan is to turn them into back rests for outside, I’ll let you know how it goes.
    Tomorrow is the start of lockdown easing here in France. As of tomorrow 11th May we no longer need to complete and carry the appropriate Attestation every time we leave the boat. Now they are only required for journeys over 100 km and we can walk and cycle up to 100 km from the boat instead of only 1km. More shops are due to open although cafes and restaurants remain closed. We could move the boat if we were headed to the Med that’s only 6km south but the canals aren’t open until 29th May.    Læs mere

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    Lovely weather

    29. april 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    The rain did stop eventually ( three and a half days) and it’s been lovely for the last few days. We had to wait for everything to dry out but after two days it was OK. The new Sikaflex has been laid but there wasn’t quite enough for the whole deck so we have more on order. We have cleaned up what we have done and it looks pretty good but to my untrained eye not very different to what was there. Apparently the difference is that the new application is sticking to the teak so is protecting the steel underneath from the water, the old stuff was coming away and letting in water.
    During the rain I finished knitting my shrug which I think looks pretty good.
    I have also now planted out the seedlings but not yet thinned the tomatoes, want to be sure they have survived the replanting and will then choose the strongest to leave in. The strawberries are looking good with some fruit forming but I need to check as I think I should be trimming off the new shoots so the plants concentrate on the fruit. (If anyone knows let me know).
    I have also been working on our Liberation Day banner and decorations which I will put up tomorrow with John’s help.
    I am still exercising regularly, I have had to order new trainers as worn out the soles on mine, and we walk the dog daily, so all in all we are keeping busy.
    From the latest updates it looks like the French lockdown will be easing on the 11th in most areas but the canals aren’t opening until the 29th and beaches not until 1 June. We are hoping that after the 11th we will be able to explore a little further afield on our bikes and maybe even use buses to go to Nimes or Montpellier as we won’t have time to go that way with the boat anymore.
    Keep safe and well    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Blueberry and dark chocolate muffins
    Wet Aigues MortesThe correct SikaflexCheese and ham mini muffins

    Lockdown extended to 11 May

    19. april 2020, Frankrig ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    We are still keeping busy. We have now stripped all the old caulking from the deck around the main mast and are ready to start re-caulking as soon as the new sikaflex arrives which we hope will be shortly after the rain stops so we can keep busy. Update : Sikaflex has arrived now we need the rain to stop.
    It is supposed to be raining for next three days, so I have done some cooking, blueberry and chocolate muffins today, perhaps cheese and ham scone things tomorrow. Update: yep did the mini cheese and ham muffins delicious need to double ingredients so they’re not mini next time.
    I still have some knitting to do and jigsaws, puzzle books and reading.
    We took a longer than usual walk today, getting a bit damp in the process but enjoying being off the boat and watching the joy of the dog sniffing and exploring, there was hardly anyone else around. Update: Another long walk today we met no body but the dog chased lots of invisible rabbits.
    Keep Safe and stay home if you can.    Læs mere

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    Happy Easter Everyone

    12. april 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Hello Everyone I hope you have a good if somewhat unusual Easter.
    Luckily for me the Easter bunny was able to deliver to me on the boat, so I now have a little Lindt bunny and chick to eat, Saving them for now.
    Hope you are all coping OK with the social distancing and following your respective governments rules. John and I are doing OK, well no we are better than OK, the weather is gorgeous, there is a supportive live-aboard group, we are both well and can exercise and we are nice and relaxed. We have been able to undertake some boat maintenance that otherwise just would not have been done.
    So what news do I have for you all, nothing terribly exciting but here is what is happening, both our families are well. My grandmother was in hospital for a non COVID condition but was discharged on Monday and by all accounts is doing OK. She has nurses twice a day and family visits through the windows.
    Over here in France we are awaiting an update that the president is due to deliver Monday evening there are lots of rumours some good, restrictions will ease, some not so good, restrictions will be tightened, we will just wait wait and see. We fill our days sort of with reading, cooking, maintenance and puzzles.
    On Thursday we had to move the boat as on Wednesday we went aground, while we have been here the canal level has been steadily decreasing and then that coupled with a full moon and northerly winds meant we touched bottom. Not necessarily a problem Take Five is long keeled and we would probably have just sat in the mud but we do want to be able to move when restrictions are lifted so we asked for a proper mooring. Sadly none available but it was suggested that we change direction and go nose in and that’s what we have done. We float on Thursday morning so moved then and in this new position we are permanently afloat which is good as tide keeps going out, we now know that depths alongside are very variable 0.5m to 1.8m, also out here we get more breeze which I am sure we will be very grateful for soon.
    We continue to walk our neighbours dog ‘Twayder’ she is dutch and part Freesian which is apparently why she is stubborn. We are allowed an hours exercise on foot each day and must carry our signed and dated permission slips (Attestations) and identity documents whenever we are off the boat.
    I have bought some plant pots and planted out the little strawberry plants, but no sign, as yet, of the haricot or tomato seedlings fingers crossed. If they don’t appear soon I will plant more as I am not very patient.
    The latest project we have decided to undertake on the boat is that of redoing the caulking. We had a set back this weekend when we realised we had ordered and received the wrong sort of Sikaflex but I have reordered so we are awaiting delivery but are in the meantime removing the existing caulking from the deck around the main mast, it’s time consuming which is good we think we are likely to have a lot of time on our hands for the next few weeks.
    We might be looking to buy a portable air on unit as well, as it’s likely to get ridiculously hot down here and even if we can move we will now be moving on the waterways during the hottest season, rather than as planned arriving in Honfleur early to mid June.
    I am still exercising and have now thanks to the Guernsey Body Zone gym team added a strength workout to the mix using some nautical weights. Thank goodness exercise is still considered essential, an hour cardio in the morning and an hour yoga Pilates in the evening, that and the dog walk keep me sane.
    Let us know how you are all coping and keep safe.    Læs mere

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    Attestation form
    Crackled Chocolate fudge biscuits

    Lockdown extended

    30. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    As expected the French lockdown has been extended for at least another two weeks, not that it really matters as the canals are still closed so we can’t go anywhere anyway. If we had a home to go to we might have tried to get to Guernsey but as we are without it is easier to stay here for now. On a positive note the local major has advised that there are as yet no COVID cases in Aigues-Mortes so well done everyone here for maintaining their social distancing.
    On a more personal positive note we are able to get some deliveries, our mastic gun has arrived, it is one of the tube ones that you put sausage mastic refills in. The mastic or Sikaflex298 refills are due tomorrow from the Chandlers 6km down the road, fingers crossed 🤞. Those few supplies can keep us busy for weeks as we slowly replace all the caulking on our decks ! Apparently we are making some of the other liveaboards feel bad for doing nothing! If I could I would but I’d go mad.
    My fitness levels are improving as well though not yet back up to pre trip levels, I’m doing two sessions most days one cardio and one toning/stretching.
    We shop only when necessary which is about every three days as that’s how long our 3 litres of fresh milk lasts, we are only allowed three of any one product, this is likely to improve as the days get warmer and we don’t need hot drinks so much. That said it is much warmer down here than back in Guernsey, most days we can wear shorts for our early afternoon dog walks with the neighbour’s dog Tweader. We can also get a few more DIY supplies from the local store which has been allowed to reopen now they have devised a shopping method that maintains the rules, this includes sand paper and I hope some tomato seeds or seedlings so I can grow our own, I have two empty 5 litre water containers I can use for that or beans.
    I just wish there was something we could do locally to assist but everything seems to be sorted at the moment, the local Facebook page lets us know what’s happening thanks to the bilingual members.
    Keep safe everyone    Læs mere

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    So what are we up to?

    21. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Well as you now know, due to the canal closures we are stranded in Aigues-Mortes in Southern France and can only go out for short periods and for only 5 possible reasons, 2of which do not apply.
    How are we coping? Well at the moment I would say fairly well. I am exercising at around 8am either alongside the boat circuit or insanity style or going for a jog followed by stretches and flexibility, all while John slowly wakes up. A leisurely breakfast follows then we get a news update and one or the other of us goes shopping if we need anything with ID and Attestation of course. We have been advised that we are not allowed to walk around together although at the moment we still see others doing this.
    Late morning we usually start to do some boat maintenance. At the moment this is sanding and oiling the teak decks. Yes I know not everyone agrees with sanding but our decks are old and therefore good quality and with at least 18mm thickness of solid teak. Then lunch or just a piece of fruit or two before a little more work or reading, knitting, puzzle books/games and more internet news. Fortunately the Dutch guy in the catamaran behind us has a dog and as of today I am her second official walker especially when he has work to do that is on/off the boat. He is making a Bimini cover and struggled to keep dog confined/entertained today. The last couple of days were very foggy early on but still bright sunshine by 9am so I took photos before and after to show you and John, I felt very at home.
    Just Incase you were thinking that we are having a ball a took a photo of John’s leg to show the damage the little black flys had done after one nights lack of sleep we managed to get some antihistamine tablets so at least we are no longer shredding ourselves. The little blighters are still nibbling though and it’s like pin pricks each time they do.
    Next week the weather won’t be so great so I feel a spring clean coming on, will let you know how it goes.
    Keep your distance to keep safe and wash hands regularly.
    We would love to hear from everyone you can comment on these posts or use our email addresses elspethmahy@gmail.com or jvankatwyk@yahoo.co.uk I’m also on Facebook but John isn’t.    Læs mere

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    Canal and port closures

    19. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Latest news is that no movement is allowed on the French canals until at least April 20th. Not great news but we’re OK and able to continue working on the boat so keeping busy.
    Not sure how much fun we will have when the weather changes but at the moment it’s wall to wall sunshine and definitely shorts and T-shirt weather. We are still allowed limited movement and our attestation is checked for regularly by the wandering gendarmerie. We are trying to buy our grocery needs from the smaller shops rather than the supermarkets to try to help the local economy as much as we can and there were a few stalls at the Wednesday market. Hopefully things don’t get any stricter we can at the moment go to the port showers and toilets. I hope we don’t have to start using on board as the tanks only hold a limited amount and a months worth of flushing by two people would probably be too much, not nice for anyone down stream! The showering on board would be OK that goes directly out and we have eco friendly toiletries, but at the moment the dinghy is deflated, rolled up and stored in the shower so there is no room for us!
    My advice to anyone not already on limited movement would be to plan some activities and buy the things you will need in preparation. We wish we had more Sikaflex and I would like more wool but at the moment there is no means for us to get anything as the capitainerie is closed. We are going to try to find out if the post office does Post Restante and if we can still use it?
    Keep well everyone 🤞    Læs mere

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    And the fun continues

    17. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    As of midday today the restrictions got tighter, it is our understanding that for the next 15 days minimum we can now undertake only essential travel. So we won’t be moving for a while bummer! We can only go out to buy supplies, exercise and go to work. I think this is very similar to the UK regulations. I am just pleased I can exercise outside otherwise I think I really would go stir crazy 😜. We are going to use the extra time for more maintenance luckily it’s a never ending project.
    On a more positive note yesterday we walked, along the cycle path, to the Tour Carbonnerie which used to guard the only road to Aigues-Mortes. You had to actually pass through the base of the tower. We were amazed to see these large otter/rat creatures eating reed bulbs, we now know they are Coypu, not native to France they introduced for fur I think we read but are now considered a nuisance as they ‘destroy the river banks’ having seen the way the hire boat captains speed along I am pretty sure they do a lot more damage than the Coypu, but they don’t generate any revenue so are easier to blame. We also saw the usual flamingos, swans, herons, greater egrets, egrets, coots, mallards, kingfishers, cormorants, glossy ibis, gulls and terns. We also spotted a dead snake! This morning we rode along the Via Rhône bike track to Galician, we only saw the Coypu trails but lots and lots of birds. I borrowed tnese photos from Facebook as we didn’t take the camera, sorry.
    Keep healthy everyone.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Ramparts looking East
    A smaller Take Five style boatBourguignons Tower

    France in lockdown

    15. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Hello Everyone well as of midnight last night the 14 March France is in lockdown, all non essential businesses are closed to the public. No cafes, restaurants, cinemas were not sure for how long as the Minister of Healths speech went on for a long time and a lot of dates were mentioned so I wasn’t sure which one was relevant. It’s not all doom and gloom though as the essential businesses like supermarkets and other food stores, as well as pharmacies and tabacs! (cigarettes are obviously essential) are allowed to open. Also the French institution of the Marche or market continues, I assume this is because they sell food stuffs, however people were standing noticeably further apart and no cheek kissing.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Tour Constance
    Looking south from RampartsLooking NorthSalt lake

    Aigues-Mortes

    14. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Today we strolled around the ramparts learning all about each tower and gate as well as more about the crusades, Louis led the 7th and 8th apparently and the salt tax. It was all surprisingly interesting and the views were incredible all the way around.
    Then a restorative hot chocolate after all that culture before returning to the boat and meeting some of the English ‘locals’. We spent the evening chatting with Francois and John who had some great stories and advice.    Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Jarras Winery
    Bird tower!La Baleine salt worksAigues- MortesOur mooring

    Canal Maritime

    13. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We are now inland though perhaps not officially on the canal system as we have yet to go through a lock. After a somewhat nervous wait, I tried calling the bridge control on the phone and the radio every half hour but got no answer, the bridge did open at 12:13 and we passed through at 12:15 precisely, the time it said on the websites we had found, and headed North towards Aigues-Mortes. Initially John kept reading off the depth under the keel but when it settled at about a foot he stopped. The view of the medieval walled town as we approached was impressive as was the winery and the La Baleine salt works. We initially moored up alongside another boat and trotted ashore to confirm where we should moor etc. But sadly and unbeknownst to us the Capitainerie closed at 12 on a Friday and doesn’t reopen until Monday so we found our own spot and won’t have electricity or water, not that we really need either but access to the showers and toilets would have been nice. After mooring we took a walk to the Tourist Information and then around the inside of the walled town as well as to the Grand Site de France where we learnt more about the origins of the town and flora and fauna.Læs mere

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Looking back at the ocean
    Grau du RoiPont Tournant swing bridge

    Our last glimpse of the sea.....

    12. marts 2020, Frankrig ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We are now at the entrance to the Canal Maritime anchored off the yacht club in Grau du Roi.
    At lunchtime today we made our way slowly across from Port Camargue, a huge but quite pleasant marina, to the mouth of the river Vidourle. We went slowly because we were a bit early for the bridge, Pont Tournant, opening at 12:30 and had to wait. We went past the swing bridge and then the fishing port and turning to port/left we entered into a small lake and the start of the River Vidourle. We can’t take the river further inland as it’s only for vessels of less than 1m draft. Tomorrow morning we go back onto the Canal Maritime under the Pont Levant, the second bridge and up to Aigues-Mortes the journey should last about 30 mins it’s only about 2.8 miles. If everything goes to plan we won’t be out on the open water/sea again until July!Læs mere

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