March 2014

It being Spring, it was decided the time was right to have a Spring Cleanout.  So things were sorted indoors, and notices were posted around town announcing 'Brocante, 23 Mars, Quai Tchekov, apres midi'.  We waited with bated breath.  But the weather and local elections were against us.  NEVER have there been so few passers-by!   Funnily enough we ended up with more 'things' than we began with, as our neighbours, Mike and Gloria, had added to the pile!!!  So now its off to the Catholic church charity shop.

Where is everyone?

We did have an amusing evening presenting children passing by with balloons that Mike had made.
 
Today it was such a glorious day, there was lots of work we could have done, and some washing waiting to be done, but as it was 'Grand-mere's Day' here in France, we decided to go out for the day. We got our bikes and Tashi's carriage out, prepared a picnic and cycled 5K to Chatillon. As usual Tashi received many endearing smiles, as passers by see her with her head peering out from behind Ni's bike, as she leans to one side to see where we are headed!   We cycled across 'The Pont' here in Briare and headed for our picnic spot by the marina in Chatillon. As it was the first time we've had our bikes out since last year, the leg muscles have definitely been stretched.  After our return two Dutch acquaintances passed by our boat, so we invited them onboard for tea. Which was a perfect end to the day.

So now we have been across 'The Pont' by boat, walked and cycled across it.

French Classes in Briare.

We read, and had to translate, a childrens story about Le Blaireau a Lunettes (The Spectacled Badger) so Mike, our neighbour on the barge Elsie May made a badger with balloons and took it to the class!

2014 New Year. Where to cruise this year?

Beautiful winter in Briare, with Christmas decorations:

  

and many scenic walks

               

the Aquaduct emptied for repairs

Briare mosaics

Winter in Heybridge

We went exploring in Tollesbury.

Low tide in/on the salt marshes.

Which way to go?

Restored ships lofts, Tollesbury.

Nigel's mother, Margery Fisher, was born and raised in Tollesbury, so we just had to go and have a look at the village.  After some research on the internet he discovered that there were historic connections to ancestors having been involved in fishing and landlords of public houses. No surprises there then!


We arranged to housesit for some friends we made while cruising in 2012.  They were going to Australia for a few months to visit their children, so with us there the house wasn't left empty, and it gave us a base to host Christmas for our family.  So all round mutual benefits.

This pink house in Heybridge had an unusual notice on the side gates. Just couldn't resist taking a picture of this!

Adapting to life in Good Old Blighty

Supermarket club cards and other mysteries of life. 

As I was in England on my own and without a car, and no longer had a Tesco loyalty card, I had to reapply for one, so that I could have groceries delivered. Actually this was a much quicker process than I had feared, and the delivery person even carried the groceries into the kitchen. This made things much easier for me, as I had to get 'Christmas' ready before Ni joined my on 19th December.

So I managed to buy most of the family Chrismas presents, disappointingly quite a few online as the local shops didnt have what I/others wanted, all before Ni arrived to enjoy Christmas.

I soon got to grips with the local buses, having paid out for a taxi to and from Maldon just to find my way around. Though I did have to take a taxi to get the 6' Christmas tree back to the house!

There were lots of good walks around Heybridge, and Tashi enjoyed exploring, although on reflection it seems she was quite unsettled. We hadnt realised this until we retuned to our boat when she lept onboard, and settled down into her own little corner.

Hosting a Family Christmas

 It seemed there was plenty of food for all!

 But Harry thought he would fool us by coming 'in disguise' and so did Marina!

Gesina: The End of another Season

Briare, winter mooring 2013/14

Gesina: The End of another Season:

Well Gesina made it to Briare, via an unexpected route, meeting some interesting people, and seeing beautiful scenery.

A picture of concentration, passing spectators, photographers and strong winds didn't put the skipper off his course!

A beautifl autumnal day enhanced our walking around the now disused canals around Briare.

A very smart visitor came to lunch!

Some locks we encountered on our summer cruise. Some are pretty and some are just pretty awful!

Geraniums on the gates on the lock at le Guetin

Coming off the Saone onto the Canal du Centre