We thought that we would get the site updated for Christmas so here goes...
We enjoyed fine weather right up to and including the beginning of November
and the first picture in this update is of us enjoying late afternoon sun
with friends Mike and Pattie. They live aboard a sailing boat called "Jade"
and have come up from the Med. Pamela seems to be getting quite agitated about
something in this picture!
AFTERNOON SUN
Not sure what Pamela was gesturing about but it could be that she was describing
how we might have to neck the "new kid on the block" - a Barbary
duck. This is the biggest duck we have ever seen and as you can see from the
next photo its at least 3 times the size of an ordinary duck (lots of orange
sauce required).
BARBARY DUCK
The main item on our agenda for November was our trip back to the UK. Would
the 100 euro Escort make the journey? Well it did and although it acted up
about every 40 minutes it got us there and back. Two visits to garages, one
in Yorkshire and one near Inverness, failed to find the problem (including
fitting a new fuel filter). David also went to a scrapyard whilst in Scotland
thinking a second hand coil might help, but to no avail. But the car didn't
really let us down as we did get back on the 29th of November under our own
steam.
The next picture was taken on a previous trip to Scotland. We've always
liked the shape of the Scottish Glens and this one David particularly likes.
TWIXT GLENCO & THE GREAT GLEN
David's brother Gordon was asked by a friend of his "why aren't you
on the website?" Well that's not too easy being 1200 miles north of us,
so here's another photo that David took earlier.
TAMING OF THE CREW
We finally made it to Lancashire and managed to find time to unwind by circumnavigating
the reservoir at Clowbridge, the village where Pamela was born and brought
up. As you can see, it was a lovely day.
CLOWBRIDGE RESERVOIR
The next stop was Mirfield, with plenty of old friends to see and catch
up with.
In this next picture we were having dinner and catching up with the goings
on at Battyeford, which is where we used to live. As you can see, Pamela was
quite hungry and found it difficult to wait for Peter, who was still saying
grace.
FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE
We also managed to have lunch with some old workmates. Not so old really,
Ken and Brenda, Ric, Clair and Connor. Again plenty to catch up on as Connor
was still in his pram the last time we saw him in 2003. Connor thought that
putting food in his ear might be a good idea but he was always glad when he
had retrieved it again.
CLAIR AND CONNOR
THUMBS UP
We had two nights with Ken and Brenda, which was very enjoyable as we had
lots to talk about.
HOSPITALITY AT HANGING HEATON.
We eventually got to Scotland where we stayed with David's sister June,
who is finding life a little easier since mum passed away. June's sterling
work, looking after mum and dad Ross in their later years, gave both Gordon
and David much more freedom than they might otherwise have expected. David
has always liked this picture of mum and dad Ross so no apologies for adding
it.
ITS NO WONDER, WE LOOK SO GOOD
We went for a mid week "Sunday lunch" with Gordon and Amelia,
and it was good to have some of the finest beef in the world, as you never
see British beef in France. I think the French found "mad cow disease"
a very useful tool.
We kept checking the weather forecast and decided to leave the highlands
a day early because of it. As it turns out it was just in time! The next photo
shows what it was like about 5 minutes south of Inverness
LEAVING INVERNESS ON THE A9
We rang Gordon when we were nearing Perth and he told us that the A9 was
now closed where we had taken the picture (a lucky escape we think)!
Our last weekend up north and another weekend at Burnley with Pamela's sister
Pat, then an overnight with David and Renate who are wintering onboard their
motor cruiser "Suki" at Dover marina. It was great to see them again
and with hospitality second to none. We saw most of the people we planned
to see although it wasn't always possible go the extra mile in some cases.
So apologies to all those we missed - we'll maybe catch you next time.
We did however bring plenty of work back, including...
Foam for our dining area/single bed
Two towel type radiators on offer at B&Q
Some perspex sheets
A sheet of pressed steel (for boxing in the new radiator in the saloon which
is now fitted and working).
Just the "English" channel then about 600 kilometres to go. We
got back to the boat about 9:30 pm, too late to eat really so a quick snack
and then off to bed. Thursday was the day for bringing Gromit back from "cat
prison". We hadn't left him this long before and hoped that he would
be pleased to see us.
PAMELA AT THE PRISON GATES
Spotted these anti frost devices in Nuits Saint Georges, I suppose this
time of year is quite a worry and a heavy frost could spell disaster for next
years grapes.
ROUGH BUT READY
On the way back from the cattery we called at our favourite Cave. Its the
first time that Gromit has been with us but we thought that it might be a
good idea to take him out on trips to get him used to travelling in the car.
That's because we intend taking him down to the south of France with us this
winter as we have had a couple of invites to stay with friends which included
Gromit.
BELLY LAUGH
Back at Saint Jean de Losne there was plenty to do, but our first job was
to fit an extra radiator in the saloon. Our central heating boiler has the
capacity for up to 7 radiators and the extra one means we can keep warm and
have windows open for fresh air. Unfortunately, the day after, David managed
to break one of his ribs!
He stepped onto another boat called "Hua Hua" (a multicoloured
paddle steamer), slipped and landed with one leg in the Gare d'Eau and his
chest on a short white metal upright post. David actually heard the break
and thought he had impaled himself. Talk about panic!!!!
Anyway all seems to be well although he did have it checked out this time.
David doesn't normally bother with a doctor if he cracks a rib (which he has
done a few times). He just waits for the pain to start (after a couple of
days) and then tries not to cough, laugh or sneeze for about 3 weeks.
Just for info, the deck on Hua Hua is lethal when wet so, we think we'll
keep the anti-slip paint on our decks, even though it's hard to keep them
clean.
I'm sure that David's old workmate Ken will remember his first broken rib,
many years ago. David was 28 years old and the best goal keeper at Joseph
Barracloughs. His doctor told him that he was foolhardy playing football at
that age! What? 28!!
Now as you may know, everything on a boat should have at least 2 uses and
a plumber's wrench is no exception. Lots of walnuts collected in the autumn
needed shelling and the wrench was just perfect. It was a perfect job for
someone on light duties too.
NUTCRACKER
The Gare d'Eau (water station), where we moor, has 2 islands and over time
the trees on it have attained a great height. The only access to the islands
is by boat and no-one bothers going onto them. For that reason they have become
a haven for wildlife. There are muskrats, coypu, turtles/terrapins, cormorants
and many other animals and birds either on the islands or using the trees
as lookout points. Unfortunately, as in England, the trees are being suffocated
by ivy and the crows that turn up at teatime make one heck of a din. So, as
happened with the other island many years ago, it was decided to cut down
the trees. This was happening as we got back from England and David managed
to capture a photo of the last tree falling.
TIMBER
Saturday the 10th of December was the "River Rats" Christmas dinner.
This year it was held at the Mariners Museum and in the next picture we are
enjoying aperitifs and snacks before going upstairs for dinner. Not the warmest
venue so the mulled wine was very welcome.
MAISON DES MARINIERES
Caught here sampling the vin rouge with "Robbie" who we think
knitted her own hat, Pamela and Hazel watching on.
WHERE DID YOU GET THAT HAT ?
A good night was had by all and the next day, Sunday, was Saint Nicolas
day. He turns up in Saint Jean de Losne every year and is the patron saint
of mariners and children. This year they asked if some of the liveaboard boaters
would be torch bearers for him. It all helps with the integration and was
yet another good night.
BEARING TORCHES FOR SAINT NICOLAS
Well that's it for this year - many, many thanks again to all those who
gave us food and shelter on the English trip. It was great to see family and
old friends and acquaintances again and apologies if we didn't get to see
you.
Thank you for the Christmas cards and hope you all have a good Christmas
and a very Happy 2006.
