We have reached our Everest – Lock 1 at Demange aux Eaux

Posted on June 2, 2014 by agclontarf

For the last three days, since we left Vitry le Francois, we have being climbing up to the summit. On a canal that means locks and we have gone through 71 to get here. Nuala and I have become a slick team at working the locks. Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey, People We have Meet on the Gap Year, Places visited | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

People who make our Gap Year more interesting….

Posted on May 30, 2014 by agclontarf

Over the last two months we have met some interesting people on other boats. Generally boaters are very helpful, friendly people and quickly tell you their story. They will rush to help you tie up the boat when you arrive, if the marina is full, move boats to make space for you and then invite you onto their boats for drinks and snacks or visa versa. Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, On the Journey, People We have Meet on the Gap Year, People who have helped us on our way | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Canal de la Marne au Rein – Locks and more Locks

Posted on May 28, 2014 by agclontarf

For the last two days we have being working our way along this canal to get from Vitry le Francois to Nancy. This canalised river climbs up the valleys and because of the number of locks it’s a very slow progress. Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey, Places visited | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Lure of a Washing Machine, extends a stay in Vitry- Le- Francois, from one Night to Three!

Posted on May 26, 2014 by agclontarf

We arrived in Vitry le Francois on Thursday, intending to stay only one night. The port was good and Pascale the Captainaire was very helpful and friendly. We needed to find a place where we could give the boat a good clean, inside and out. When Nuala heard there was a good washer dryer on the site and that there was special price if we stayed for three nights, that clinched it and we decided to stay.

Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey, Places visited | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

From Meaux to Epernay Nuala Birthday and Family Arrive

Posted on May 23, 2014 by agclontarf

This week we travelled along the Marne River and Nuala’s mother, Aine and sister, Kate came to stay with us. They brought fantastic weather with them, the hottest we have had so far! We really enjoyed this section of the journey. They came because it was Nuala’s birthday this week.

Continue reading →

Posted in Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey, Places visited, Visitors to C est la Vie | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

A thought I had, while waiting on the laundry to dry

Posted on May 22, 2014 by agclontarf

In La Ferte sous Jouarre we went to do the laundry. The dryer would only allow you to run it for 12 minutes at a time so I had to stay for 50 minutes and keep putting in more money. – Yes how simple my life has become- watching clothes drying !!  So I had time  to think. Continue reading →

Posted in comments on life, Comments on Social Economic Lifestyle in France | 2 Comments

Nuala gets her hair cropped!

Posted on May 19, 2014 by agclontarf

I have been asking Nuala for years, to try a shorter hair style. She has always said no as she had the idea in her head that short hair is for older people. Hair style is very important to Nuala and at home she went to the hair dresser, Linda in Westwood, every Saturday. Her excuse was that as she does not drink, it was one of her little luxuries! Continue reading →

Posted in On the Journey, Paris, People We have Meet on the Gap Year, Places visited | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Why do we all put up with Vandalism?

Posted on May 16, 2014 by agclontarf

Yesterday we arrived in La Ferte sous Jouarre. It’s a nice town with good mooring pontoons. As we approached the moorings, the owner of one of the other moored boats (we had met him in Meaux) shouted to us ‘there is no water or electricity’. Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, comments on life, Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey, Places visited | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

We did not want to leave Meaux

Posted on May 15, 2014 by agclontarf

We spent from last Thursday up until yesterday in Meaux (Pronounced Mo) which is on the river Marne and is famous for its Brie cheese and Pommery Moutarde du Meaux (mustard). Neither of us wanted to leave and we had to finally force ourselves to leave yesterday. It was a total contrast to Paris- large local town with everything nearby and no rushing around or Metro underground. Even the torrential rain and thunder and lightning  a few of the days did not put us off. Continue reading →

Posted in On the Journey, People We have Meet on the Gap Year, People who have helped us on our way, Places visited | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Hi all Nuala here with my first blog…

Posted on May 12, 2014 by agclontarf

It has been over a month since I came to France to join Adrian on this wonderful adventure.  Yes I was apprehensive, but it has being great. I flew into Beauvais Airport and then drove in a hired car to meet Adrian and the Dover Delivery crew in Douai. Then I had five days rest, which I needed before we headed off. Continue reading →

Posted in C'est La Vie - The Boat, Experiences on the Canals, On the Journey | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments