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The journey home
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The journey home

It’s going to take a while but we are now heading slowly north and back to beautiful Guernsey もっと詳しく
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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys

    Late afternoon stroll

    2020年2月22日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    After a busy day, well not really who am I kidding, we decided to go for a walk upriver along the Rhône but off the main walking/cycling trail. The scenery was lovely but it was missing the spring flowers that you see in Guernsey. All we found were a few daisies and the May blossom, no bulbs of any description. It was still very pretty and peaceful and the sunshine was magnificent. Each day we are managing to do a bit of boat work, at the moment we are redoing the sikaflex seals between the saloon and the decks as they were getting a bit rusty and we really don’t want that spreading and weakening the top side of the decks.
    Well there is now only a week to go till we leave Port Saint Louis. We won’t be starting the canals straight away but soon 🤞. Yesterday and today have been sunny days and with a lot less wind than predicted.
    We have met another Brit he has bought his boat here for the new owners to collect so won’t be here long but a really interesting guy. About my age I think but has been on boats since he left home at 16 and sailed his 25foot yacht to Portugal. He has all the tickets and now captains all sorts of super yachts both as crew and to relocate. He had some great stories to tell of his adventures over the years. He lived in Majorca for a while and worked with Street Angels the charity that helps drunken Brits get safely back to their hotels I think they are based in Magaluf. We also said goodbye to Nicholas our French Normandy friend as we met him on our way back to townafter going to the Chandlers to buy more paint (ours had ‘gone off’) and his plans keep changing so we might not see him again.    もっと詳しく

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    Australian Pink Floyd

    2020年3月6日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Well yesterday we bussed into Marseille for the concert, luckily it wasn’t one of the ones cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. No one I saw in Marseille was wearing a mask 😷 and only one person at the concert who appeared to have other issues as well, was. We had thought incorrectly it turns out that the concert was at the Velodome but no it was at Le Dome not the Velodrome so we had a metro ride across town after the concert to reach the hotel as the Le Dome and the Velodrome are on opposite sides of Marseille. We returned to the Queen Victoria pub for our pre Show meal and John went for the French version of a big breakfast again as he had enjoyed it so much last time. The moving around was easy as we bought a 24hour pass for metro, bus and trams for €5.40, so could hop on and off as often as we fancied. We didn’t need to do the sights as visited those already.
    The concert was brilliant, I was not the youngest there but definitely in that camp.
    Here are some photos, obviously not mine couldn’t be bothered to take the iPad and our phones aren’t smart enough to take photos you can actually upload.
    The final photo is of a building site just outside Fos sur Mer that when we visit got here was not even flattened land, so when they want to the French can work quite fast, on one bus trip past we counted 8 bore hole drilling rigs.
    We now have a couple of days to get ready as we are leaving Sunday, not yet sure where we will be heading as this depends on how rough the sea is. It has been blowing for a few days now but either East to Martigues and into the Etang (lake) if it’s rough or West to Saint-Marie-de-Mer. Our original plan to head straight onto the Rhône has been scuppered by heavy rain inland that has increased the flow of the river to fast than we can motor. So the revised plan, you always have to be flexible being on a boat is to get onto the canal Rhône a Sète and visit the towns along there until river eases off. First stop on the canal should be Aigues-Mortes then we decided East or West. But not sure when we will be able to get to the canal as we are experiencing the sort of high winds the UK has been having all winter, at least ours are accompanied by sunshine 🌞.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    The start of the Rhone run offBronze bull near the ArenaOld Hotel de VilleCabanes de GuardianChurch of Notre Dame

    And we are off...

    2020年3月8日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Sunday 8th March and we have left Port Saint Louis. The sea is surprisingly calm considering the wind we have had for the last week so we decide to move west towards the Rhône a Sète canal and go to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The colour change of the water as we entered the Rhone run off was incredible so we took some photos. The entire journey took 5 1/2 hours, we travelled just over 30 nM. We knew we didn’t need to radio the Capitainerie on arrival as it wasn’t open on a Sunday but we found the ‘Accueil’/Welcome pontoon and tied ourselves up. After a late lunch we took a wander around, the town is rally quite cute and therefore very touristy with lots of shops selling regional products and cafes and even an ice-cream shop!
    There are a lot of Cabanes that are regional houses thatched that traditionally have a cross on the end of the roof. The town is famous for its church which is the only high rise in the town and the old Hotel de Ville. But the main reason for fame are the various bull related events, there are regular bull fights, chasing bulls along roads, and in the surrounding marshes/beaches. There are flamenco shows and tapas to finish off the slightly Spanish feel.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Camargue horses
    Gacholle lighthouseThe dykeFlamingos

    Dique a la Mer & Phare de la Gacholle

    2020年3月9日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    To day we took a ride back along the coast using a dyke, on the way there it was lovely as the wind was pushing us along, coming back was a bit tougher but we made it OK. The Lighthouse was built in the 1840’s its only 16m but is apparently visible from 20km away. The beach in front of the lighthouse was vast think, Mont Saint Michel at low tide, fortunately there is little tide here as I don’t think we could have outrun it on the soft sand. We are thinking about going pony trekking as it’s what everyone else seemed to be doing but only if we don’t have to trot that’s far too uncomfortable 😣. Probably another ride tomorrow this time inland towards a village called Mejanes for coffee ☕️ and cake.
    As you can see from the photos the sun is shining brightly and John even got a little pink from the boat trip yesterday, I made sure he put on sunscreen today!    もっと詳しく

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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.....

    2020年3月12日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 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!もっと詳しく

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

    Canal Maritime

    2020年3月13日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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.もっと詳しく

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

    Aigues-Mortes

    2020年3月14日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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    Ramparts looking East
    A smaller Take Five style boatBourguignons Tower

    France in lockdown

    2020年3月15日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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.もっと詳しく

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    And the fun continues

    2020年3月17日, フランス ⋅ 🌙 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.    もっと詳しく

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    Canal and port closures

    2020年3月19日, フランス ⋅ 🌙 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 🤞    もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys

    So what are we up to?

    2020年3月21日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys
    Attestation form
    Crackled Chocolate fudge biscuits

    Lockdown extended

    2020年3月30日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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    もっと詳しく

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    Happy Easter Everyone

    2020年4月12日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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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

    2020年4月19日, フランス ⋅ 🌧 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.    もっと詳しく

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    Lovely weather

    2020年4月29日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 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    もっと詳しく

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    Liberation Day

    2020年5月4日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Boat decorated ready for Guernseys Liberation Day as well as the Dutch Memorial Day today and VE Day on the 8th, all bases covered.

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    lockdown easing

    2020年5月10日, フランス ⋅ 🌧 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.    もっと詳しく

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    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

    2020年5月22日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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.    もっと詳しく

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    HeronClose call with a PenicheLifting bridge at Frontignan in backgroundOops

    We’re moving......

    2020年5月29日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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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

    2020年5月31日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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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

    2020年6月3日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 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.    もっと詳しく

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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

    2020年6月5日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 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.もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys

    Aramon

    2020年6月5日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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.もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys

    Avignon

    2020年6月6日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 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.もっと詳しく

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  • Cruising donkeysThe journey homeCruising donkeys

    Avignon

    2020年6月7日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    More photos from our sightseeing today, we followed two of the self guided walking tours around town and visited the Papal Palace.

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