Mistral and Mast Raising

Fraser’s blog brought us as far as Port Napoléon in the Mediterranean Sea, where we slotted into a comfortable berth on the visitors’ pontoon. What he didn’t mention was that as we arrived, we were told that the mast crane had broken, so we might not be able to get our mast put back up.Continue reading “Mistral and Mast Raising”

Dead Zone — Dash to the Sea

Kerry’s blog brought us as far as Valance, in need of fuel. We hung around there for a second day on Monday, as the fuel pontoon (although mysteriously closed on Sunday) was directly opposite us and temptingly close. Such things are a rare find on the rivers. Fraser had had enough of lugging containers fromContinue reading “Dead Zone — Dash to the Sea”

Frogs and French Food

Fraser’s blog left us in Joinville, an idyllic little halte next to a hotel/restaurant. We spent two nights there, enjoying the shade beneath the trees that overhung us, and also caught up with Helen and Steve, a couple of fellow boaters. The only drawback of Joinville was the froggie chorus that went on all night,Continue reading “Frogs and French Food”

Brie in Brie and champagne in Champagne

The week in Paris was absolute heaven. Fraser and I hardly ever do the “tourist thing”, so this was a real treat for us. The last time I was in Paris was for my 16th birthday, so that’s a good 5 years ago. Funny how it feels far longer than that. My birthday dinner wasContinue reading “Brie in Brie and champagne in Champagne”