May 2014

We got out the bikes and the dog carriage and went up to Moret-sur-Loing. It was market day (Friday) so the town had an air of buzz.

The main highlights not to be missed are the gates at either end of the town, Gate of Bourgogne, Gate of Samois; the carpentry adorned house on the market square, Don jon, the Church of Notre-Dame; the Francois 1st facade - depicating the Labours of Hercules***; Renaissance houses, and Maison des Religieuses.  We spent the day exploring these, then hurried back before the threatening thunder soaked us, but thankfully it never arrived.

***These details were difficult to discern but are said to be: 

1.Slay the Nemean Lion
2.Slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra
3.Capture the Golden Hind of Artemis
4.Capture the Erymanthian Boar
5.Clean the Augean stables in a single day
6.Slay the stymphalian Birds
7.Capture the Cretan Bull
8.Steal the Mares of Diomedes
9.Obtain the girdle of Hippolyta,Queen of the Amazons
10.Obtain the cattle of the monster Geryon
11.Steal the apples of the Hesperides (he had the help of Atlas to pick them after Hercules had slain Ladon)
12.Capture and bring back Cerberus 

so now you know!

We've finally arrived at St. Mammes on the river Seine, at the confluence of le Canal du Loing, and its Tashi's 7th birthday!

We were interested in the little L'eglise de Saint-Mammes, and asked if we could see inside. Laurette (the Capitain) arranged for a guide from Centre de Recherche et de Documentation Medievales et Archeologiques (CRDMA), Claud to show us around. A very interesting man, who was pleased that someone was interested and the next day he arrived at our boat with two prints for us. One of Le Croix Blanche, Alfred Sisley, and the other a detailed drawing of the Bateau Berrichon. We will endeavour to have both framed.  A very kind man.

We are moving/cruising, but not very fast, and not very far!  Totalling chilling out!

The weekend in Saint Mammes proved to be very interesting.  First on the Saturday we were entertained by local teams of jousters - Joutes parisiennes. The youngsters aged about 9 years and upwards were being given instructions.  Then the serious business began with the adults.  Lots fell in the river, all totally oblivious to the passing peniches!

April 2014

Our first overnight stop was at Ouzouer-sur Trezee. The centre, up on the hill, has medieval remains, and several old beamed houses.  One oddity is the leaning grain tower.  One wonders how much longer it will remain standing!  Very few stop here as the waterfront doesnt appear to offer much, and the hire boats just want to get from town to town. Only the late ones stop who get caught out by the locks closing times!  But there are missing a little gem. For a population of over 1,000, it has much to offer. There is a recently built large'village hall' with a large covered outside area for a reception, and it is set in a newly planted park which meanders past the moorings. There are grocers, tabac/brasseries and bakers and butchers. In true village tradition the owners of the latter two, left their premises to help aged customers into their houses some yards away!

Grain store, behind the church, Ouzourer

Monday 14th April

We awoke to a glorious sunny day, which was quickly followed by a blanket of mist rolling down from the hill and along the canal.

All our friends have already left Briare, and we are ready to leave tomorrow for our summer cruising.

All spruced up and ready to go!

There's a defintie buzz in the air, not only from the birds and the bees. Flowers, bushes and trees are blooming, boats are being washed and polished, and people are arriving and leaving.

Before we could leave we all had our hair cut, but Tashi looked the cutest!

Tashi before her haircut

Tashi after her haircut

Its nice to see new faces in the port, but of course they dont stay long as they have come to get their boats ready for cruising.  And its sad to see newly made friends leave for destinations scattered around Europe.  We leave with a mixture of feelings and look forward to Gesina returning for her winter layup in Briare.

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.