Well, The Boeing Dream Liner (787-9) had more seat room than the 737. I was almost able to stretch out but 14 hours in a plane seat is always going to be a challenge. I think I got about 2 hours sleep, Margaret thought she may have got 4 or 5. Watched the Movie Pele which was surprisingly good and read my book. Arrived Abu Dhabi around 5:30 off the plane and onto a bus to the terminal. My glasses fogged up immediately I was outside the plane, 33 degrees at that time of the morning. We were straight out through immigration and customs to meet a guy with our name on a tablet. Our Limo arrived, well a black van anyway to whisk us off to the Grand Millenium, Al Wahda where we got settled into our room on the 22nd floor and headed down to breakfast. A beautiful Bacon & Egg breakfast. Turkish bacon which was strange as when we were in Turkey we only saw bacon at one hotel. 

 We were that tired we headed back to our room for a couple of hours sleep before venturing out.
The largest mall in Abu Dhabi was attached to our hotel so that was our first stop. Everything was very quiet, no eating places open, we were starting to get a feeling of what Ramadam means. We were later to find out what the “Last” day of Ramadam meant. Some pretty flash shops but we were really just looking for a coffee, not to be. We grab a cab and headed for the Heritage village down on the water front, actually maybe past the water front as it was out on a isthmus. Everywhere was absolutely deserted. Nobody on the beaches, the village was closed and just really a few cars running around. We took a couple of photos out there and our cab driver suggested the Grand Mosque ensuring us it would be open. Right at the other end of Abu Dhabi. Shut and deserted as well. Being outside was extremely energy sapping and we were absolutely tired so headed back to our hotel via a supermarket to pick up some drink and nibbles. We had good intentions of heading down to the local outside market after Ramadam (8 oclockish) but woke up about 10 and in sleep mode unfortunately decided to give it a miss.

Wednesday 6 July – A big breakfast before packing our bags and heading for the airport. Three out of three, I am picked again to be checked for drugs. Fortunately no rubber gloves. Our plane is an Airbus A346 and I end up with a window seat which is fantastic as the whole eight hour trip is in daylight finishing up with a trip up the Thames, very impressive. The line through immigration took forever, I think Margaret was regretting giving up her English passport. Black mark for Tracy we could have registered on line and used the UK queue. Customs was virtually non-existent. We landed at terminal 4 and used the train to get to terminal 3 and the bus to our hotel. The Thistle London Heathrow, very tired. We decided to head out for a walk and found a local pub, The White Horse (built 16th century) where we had a feed, Margaret an Omlete and me Haddock and chips and a beer. A huge meal I couldn’t finish. Back to the hotel and bed. Wales had just lost to Portugal in the football.

Thursday 7 July – A bit of a sleep in at 8am and a late breakfast, This time we caught a Pod, (a driverless capsule) which took us over to Terminal 5 where we were picking up a car. We pick up a Citroen C4, 1.6l diesel. A really nice car in which we head off down the M4. Thank goodness for another Sweetie. One stop for toilets and a coffee and back on the road. A spin around Chepstow before Margaret’s Aunty Joan in Lydney. Fish & chips for tea and a big catch-up. I pick up a local SIM card from Tisco’s (+44 7732181959 if you want to contact me till 21 July)

Friday 8 July – A relaxed day we head up to a nursing home to see Aunty Joan’s sister, Pam who unfortunately had a bad stroke about 3 years ago. Difficult to communicate but she definitely knew us. Mid afternoon saw us heading to Cardiff to catch up with my nephew Martin. It is his wedding that got us over here.  This was the afternoon that the Welsh football team returned home to a hero’s welcome which came with a local feel and increase in traffic.  We went for a wander down and around Albany street while waiting for Martin to finish work.  Chloe & Nola were already in France but it was great catching up.  Out for a curry for tea.

Saturday 9 July – We are up with croissants for breakfasts before heading to a local market for a coffee and veggies,  Picked up a couple of craft beers for later.  Martin and I headed off for Cwmcarn Mountain Bike Park in the hills of south Wales about half an hour out of Cardiff. Fantastic rocky single track.  I am on a almost suspension less Marin and although light was hard work with the rocky surface.  Should note it was also raining.  There were a lot of people out and the large car park was full.  A really good set-up with a bike shop, changing rooms, hot showers.  Most things at a cost,  My bike was 32 quid for half a day.  No injuries no falling off so a successful day. Martin showed his culinary skills and served up really great home made pizza’s and red wine. mmmmmm yummy a very enjoyable evening.  Martin has been a great host

Sunday 10 July – A bit of a sleep in and Bacon & egg for breakfast. I used Chloe’s bike and had a bit of a ride around the area to the ATM machine, quite enjoyable on a quiet Sunday morning.  We bid Martin farewell and start heading back to Lydney.  At Monmouth we head off the motorway and into town.  Monmouth used to be the gateway to Wales and was a market city.  We spent quite some time strolling around there discovering that it was the home of Mr Rolls of Rolls Royce fame and Rockford recording studios.  We were looking for a backroad back to Lydney and ended up with a fantastic drive through the Forrest of Dean,  the narrow country roads much of the which had trees right across and everything was so green made it a very beautiful. We came across this huge old church in Newlands which we had a wander around.  It was built around the 13 century.  More narrow roads and through the village of Bream and we are suddenly back in Lydney,  Watched Andy Murray win at Wimbleton to give the Brits something to cheers about.  After a lovely tea of Gammon (boiled bacon) and new potatoes before sitting down and watched Portugal win the European cup in extra time.

Monday 11 July – After breakfast Margaret and I went for a stroll through Lydney.  Had a really horrible coffee talked to a BT cable jointer who was working on copper.  Then headed up to see and say goodbye to Pam before going for a drive back in the Forest of Dean.  I really loved it in there with the  green trees covering even the roads in most parts.  We parked and walked over the old disused railway bridge to The Boat, a really nice hotel on the side of the Wye river.  I had a Ploughmans lunch and a non alcoholic beer while the girls drunk wine.  The day was a bit overcast and rainy.  Tea tonight was aCornish Pasties, Strawberries, Cornish Ice Cream and cream, decitcant but so yummy.

A big thanks Tracy Gray,an independent working for the Travel Centre.  Tracy put our trip together and last night at midnight Margaret and I were eating the large chocolate fish that had arrived with our travel pack.  We almost had everything packed and sorted.  You would think now that I had retired I had all the time in the world to get things ready, well it doesn’t work like that.  Getting this blog sorted, getting email sorted, getting European maps for John’s Tomtom and trying to preload our trip, arranging accomodation,  Working through Google Translate as we booked a roof top apartment in Genoa that was on the 6th floor, had no elevator and was in a pedestrian only area so needed to find somewhere for the car.  None of that was simple and all took so much time.  ThanksMatt for your help

Vaughan, Gil and Emily took us to the airport where we had an enjoyable snack at Mojo’s and a decent coffee,maybe our last for a bit. We parted ways as we went through the doors into security.

It has begun, but it was not going to be without a little hometown excitement. We are two minutes away from being called for boarding when the fire alarm goes off.  You know what it is like the alarm starts up and you say that is the fire alarm but nobody moves until they start actually saying over the address system to vacate the building.  Is it a fire? Or is it that other thing you are not allowed to utter?  The first exit door we find is locked and I am very tempted to break the glass as it says to do in an emergency.  It didn’t quite feel like that. We never did find out though it was probably a fault in the fire system.  Just as well it is a great Wellington winters day as it wasn’t unpleasant out on the Tarmac. 45 minutes later we got to file back inside to go through immigration and security again.  What a shambles with a queue that stretched way back out side. People turning up for their flights had a long way back to go.

On board Virgin flight VA107.  I don’t think they could get the seats closer together if they tried, it’s almost impossible to be able to relax and dose off.  Fortune shone on us thanks to Tracy and we were on the list for list for a snack and a glass of wine.  A chicken Rissoto which was very nice and a pretty dry bun.  No screens on the flight, onboard entertainment was through an IPad app.  A bit different.

Well sitting here at Brisbane Airport,another 2 hours before our 14 hour hop to Abu Dhabi.  Yippee I hope the next plane has a bit more space, especially legroom or it’s going to be a long 14 hours. It is dark outside and quite inside.  I must have pick me written all over me.  Got picked and checked for drugs at Wellington.  Got picked and got a full body scan at Brisbane. 

Retired now and with nephew Martin deciding to get married in the middle of France a fantastic opportunity.

I have just set Margaret’s IPad up with a cover more global SIM so hoping that will keep us connected while away.  The photo below was just to check I was still able to operate the Blog.  Now week to go., well eight big sleeps really. 

Well never got back to the blog until now.  Too much to do so little time but I now have my brace off  the hand and it is so much easier to type.

Saturday – Up early and off on the bike for the bread.  I’m going to miss this opportunity as I also take the time to go for a spin around La Mas a’ Agenais.  It is all very quiet as I don’t think European’s are early risers.  Our last breakfast on the boat, was just great with cornflakes, bread, ham and cheese, all very good and something else we were going to miss. I had arranged to get a nurse to change my dressings up at the local Pharmacy and cost a whole 6.46 Euro. When I got back to the boat everyone had cleaned up and we were nearly ready to hand Mystic 09 back, so sad.

We had a cab booked for 11.30 to take us onto Bordeaux where we were booked in for two nights at the Hotel Sainte Catherine in the old town area.  The taxi driver could not get us to the hotel as the area was restricted to mainly pedestrian with big bollards which could be lower and raise if you had the correct credentials.  We were shown the way but still spent 15 minutes almost outside our hotel trying to work out where we were.  We were almost under the sign.

We booked in and tried to organise a wine tour for Sunday.  They all appeared to be full but we were lucky enough to be able to get a private tour for 3pm (until 8) today at not a lot more cost.  When in Bordeaux it would almost have been a criminal offence if we hadn’t done a wine tour.  Our first winery was the Chateau des Laudes which of cause made the best wine in the world and was sold out before it was bottled.  It amused me as they still had some for us to taste and bottles to sell us.  It was going to be an expensive afternoon as if we didn’t buy any we had to pay a tasting fee as we found out later.  Their grape was the Cabernet Franc and of course the best, if it was not right they would not pick the grape that year.  Still it tasted good to us as we were beginning to be quite expert after our many nights of testing.  It was a pretty good tour with special emphasis on the correct method of testing the wine.

It was then onto the Château Fonplégade, still in the Saint-Emilion region and owned by American billionaire, Stephen Adam.  He had obviously spent a lot of money on the place and it was a very modern winery.  A young lady gave us a very interesting tour around there before opening the bottles for testing.  Again we walked away with a very expensive bottle of red.

Back into town and an Italian restaurant for dinner, a very nice meal of pasta’s and/or pizza before heading off to work it off with a stroll.  We ended up at a traveling fun fair with some amazing rides designed to test your stomach to the limit.  It took up a huge area and we probably spent a couple of hours wandering around and went for a ride on the biggest Ferris Wheel I have ever seen (Discounting the London Eye).  It was after midnight before we made it back to our beds.

Sunday – Up early and off for a walk.  We had decided to get breakfast at a market we had been told about along the river promenade.  It was overcast and coolish so not very nice.  We found a crepe place and had a lovely breakfast there.  Continued walking and as it started to rain we headed for a shopping complex, one of the few open on a Sunday.  Had lunch at Subway and as Jan and David were heading back to the hotel and there was a break in the rain we decided to just wander through the streets on our own.  It was very quiet, maybe because it was siesta time but there were very few people around.  All the residences were apartment type and looked well bolted up.  We almost felt we were in the wrong part of town.  We were nearly back in the centre of town before we found a large park and ventured into there, eventually finding a jazz band to sit and listen to.  It was some sort of event for people with Autism.  We were heading back through town toward our hotel when it started bucketing down again and we took shelter in the information centre.  As we left there we ran into Jan and David.

Drinks and goodies in their room a sharing of photographs before going out to dinner.  This was going to be our last meal together as tomorrow we were going our separate ways, David & Jan had two more days in Bordeaux before heading to Scotland on the train and Margaret and I were off into Spain the next morning.  Jan took us to a Chinese restaurant where we had a very yummy shared meal, naughty Althorp’s insisted on shouting us.  Thanks guys.

Monday – Breakfast at the hotel and a 10am pick up by the taxi.  We said our last goodbyes’ to Jan & David.  It was very sad to be now splitting up because we had had such a great time together and done so much.

We had a three hour train trip to Irun on the Spanish border where we had to change trains for a about a 20 minute trip to San Sebastian.  We were unsure if we were in France or Spain and Margaret posted some postcards with French stamps before we found out we were actually in Spain.  No border control what so ever and we are not sure if the cards reached Dylan and Uncle Bob.

Our hotel in San Sebastian was a very flash one but a little out of town.  I think Tiffany at the Flight Centre must have decided we were on the older side as we ended up in single beds,  going to have to talk to her about older folk. The hotel was the Barcelo Costa Vasca and its redeeming feature was the shower that could jet from the front as well as from above, very nice.

We were going to catch a bus into town but just missed it so decided to walk, it took about 15 minutes.  What a fantastic town, it is a harbour town with an island in the entrance and a fantastic long beach with groomed golden sand. Even although it was cooler there were folk out surfing and swimming. Not too many lying around the beach though, a bit cold for that.

Had a bit of a stroll around the city and ended up at a really nice Italian place (again) for dinner, Pasta and Pizza.  One of the best pizza’s I have ever had and still couldn’t eat it all.  I have a photo of it that will be in my favourites.

Tuesday – Up late and just made breakfast at the hotel.  Had a big feed as it would be lunch as well.  We had an option when we headed out and got down to the beach.  We could go left or right.  We went right, took our shoes off and walked along the beach and felt the sand and sea between our toes.  We were heading up to Monte Urgull which had old fortifications on it and a big statue of Jesus which stands out and overlooks the whole city.  It was a leisurely trip along the beach, the odd few out swimming, less sunbathing and some with their metal detectors out hoping to find a fortune.  We walked past the harbour which was very pretty with some very colourful fishing vessels and the old town close by.  We took in the Aquarium on the way past which was very impressive with a maritime-museum section as well. The fish and plant life were spectacular and well worth the couple of hours we spent there.

We couldn’t put it off any longer it was time to head up the hill.  We went up the back side which was much gentler than the town side which we came down, quite a history and lots of bits to look at.  A castle on the top and a panoramic view of San Sebastian, probably one of the most beautiful cities you are likely to see.

We came down into the old town and the huge Santa Marie church, very narrow streets and lots of little shops, pubs, eating places and the square where they had the bull fights. We found a pub and had a beer and Tapas, yummy.  Caught up with a couple of Aussies in another pub who had been on the train and recognised the finger.  He had worked in Wellington for ANZ.  We downed a couple or so red wines and cokes which were apparently the local drink before finding a nice fish restaurant for dinner before walking home.

Wednesday – Another sleep-in and we were going down to a little café we had found for breakfast, under four euro each instead of fifteen and very very yummy. We turned left this time heading up towards Mont Igueldo on the western end.  It had a funicular to take us up that looks and operates like Wellington’s old cable car.   Up the top is an attraction park and a tower which is what we could see from down in the town.  The attraction park wasn’t operating and the tower was locked up with no information on what it was.  Could have been reasonably new for all we knew, we had a cold drink and an Ice cream and decided to walk down even though we had brought a return ticket.  It was a pleasant walk down to the seafront where there was a Wimbledon tennis club.  All looked a bit posh but saw some guys playing on a clay surface.

We headed off around the coast to find the El peine del Viento sculpture mainly because there was a wall size photo of it beside our bed in the hotel.  A really nice spot with some interesting rock formations.  We wandered back to the hotel for a rest before going out for tea in a little area down near the beach where we had a steak meal sitting at a table on the footpath.

Thursday – Today we did manage to make the bus as we were keen to see where it would take us.  Not very far as it turned out and although it was going in the opposite direction to the beach it was very soon in the middle of town where we had a late breakfast.   We searched around for some food to take with us on the train as we were off to Barcelona at 4.15.  We wandered around and ended up at the beach which wasn’t hard to do.  The weather wasn’t great but the location was brilliant, and we had a not very nice lunch at a pub along the promenade,  we picked up our bags at the hotel and headed to the station.  The trains are really good over here and all seemed to run on time.  This wasn’t a fast train but still got along ok.  We had a yummy picnic on the train and pulled into Barcelona on time at 22:09, we found a taxi and headed to the Via Augusta Hotel.  It was raining and we seemed to be driving through the back blocks of nowhere.

I need to talk to Tiffany again, no fridge in the room and no double bed.

Friday – At least breakfast was included and it wasn’t too bad.  After talking to another guest we were off to the Metro. With a bit of help we managed to buy a 10 trip ticket out of a machine and found our way to Placa de Catalunya which I think was the town square.  Still raining and there were these large queues with folk huddled under umbrella’s.  I thought it must be dole queues or something but it wasn’t long before we were in said queue waiting to get on an open top city tour bus.  It took us close to two hours and we were handed a swag of paper towels to dry our seat and on our way.  It turned out that the other similar company were on strike and this company had the most buses with roll out tops.  There were two routes so today we were on the orange route, Fortunately the rain disappeared and we had an enjoyable tour taking in the harbour area, Olympic stadium, cathedrals, Trade Centres and heaps of other stuff  oh and also Camp Nou,the home of FC Barcelona that seats very close to one hundred thousand people.  Imagine the atmosphere, especially if your team was winning.  We did a bit of wandering around and found a food festive, the old town  and came out on La Rambla, well what an amazing, I guess avenue that turned out to be. Hundreds of people walking up and down it.  A very wide walkway right down the middle and it stretched from the coast almost to our hotel.  It wasn’t so badly located after all.  La Rambla must have been three or four kilometres long, temporary stalls and restaurants all along it.  We walked along it to our hotel, found a place for dinner and were ready for bed.

Saturday – Our last full day of holiday.  Nearly all over and it will be back to work and not long before we are saying what holiday.  We head in on the Metro to do the Green line but we are smart now and don’t go to the Placa de Catalunya but head for another stop instead with no queue.  In fact it was near the food festival.  They had a stall promoting Kiwi fruit and were most shocked when I showed them the correct way to eat a Kiwi fruit (like an apple).  The Green line took us out pasts the eight or so beaches and some of the older parts of the city and the Catalonia area.  The high light of the day was probably La Sagrada Familia, the huge Basilica designed (if that is the right word)  by  architect Antoni Gaudi, A UNESCO World Heritage site.  The building was started in 1882, Gaudi died in 1926 and the building was declared half completed in 2010.  Projected finish date is now 2026.  Anyway a truly unusual building of immense proportions.  The disappointment was we couldn’t get inside as only people with special tickets whatever they were, were allowed.  Open again tomorrow, strange.

We poked around there a bit, tried some Manchego Cheese as Barbara had told me I must.  It wasn’t bad but I’m sure some of our cheeses are just as good.  Back on the bus and up to Parc Gwell. A park that was built between 1900 and 1914 by Gaudi after a housing estate failed there.  Very interesting.  It was starting to get dark with rain by the time we left there.  We headed back into the town centre and got off near La Rambla, found a nice pub and had tea.  Yummy lamb chops.  Walked back to the hotel and headed for bed.

Sunday – We had to be at the airport before 4pm.  Headed into town to buy some last minute mementoes.  We got off the Metro by the Christopher Columbus column at the bottom of La Ramble near the water front and meandered back to our hotel.  Hundreds of people out walking and it was a reasonable day.  All the big shops close on Sundays.  We arrived back at the hotel around two and ended up sharing a cab with another guy from the hotel heading to the airport that didn’t speak English.  Pretty good language skills, yes..  The worst bit of the holiday, airports and planes.  I read a whole Jo Nesbo book between Barcelona and Wellington airports.  We had an 8 hour layover at Singapore so decided to get a room.  It’s the first time I have paid for a room by the hour and I’m not sure if I got my money’s worth?  Arriving in Wellington Tuesday afternoon to probably the best weather of our trip, a nice blue sky but maybe a bit cool.  I’m off now to get my stiches out.

—–     the end     —–

Really the first chance to get back to this.  Being on holiday is hard work even although this was supposed to be a relaxed holiday.

Monday – continued…………

We are heading to Montech, we have done our first lock and are now experienced canalers.  Woophy.  The girls are on the ropes, David is managing them and I’m on the poop deck with the wheel and controls.  As we are going up hill the locks are at their hardest. All the locks on our route are automatic, for the first nine locks down to Montech we have a remote to activate them.  We drive into them empty (at the bottom)  and find a greasy pole to wrap our rope around fore and then aft.  Hit the remote again and the gates behind us closes and the lock starts to fill.  When it is fill the front gate opens, we release our ropes and drive out, walla, we have risen somewhere between 1.2 and 3.6 metres.  A great system, we chug along at 8 knots or 1800 RPM. In this first section the lock are very close together so the girls don’t get much rest and are finding muscles they didn’t know they had.  There was a pub at the last lock and we thought we might stop there for a late lunch,  A small problem, not much room to park, a very inexperienced captain and a couple of boats already there.  Its funny how you can make friends with people after they have spent the first few minutes giving you looks that could kill.  We had to do a U turn, we had a propeller full of weed and it wasn’t very pretty but we managed to tie up alongside one of the other barges with out any bad bumps.  I think when they worked out we were Kiwi’s and Aussies and complete beginners at this they became very helpful.  The couple we were tied up against were from Bristol and I think had place their life savings into their boat and were living the dream.  We were to come across a lot of people like this.   We got into discussions about weed boxes and how we should be able to open it up and clear the weed which was particularly bad on this stretch.  But we didn’t appear to have one.  It was at this point there was suggestions that we may have to dive down and clear it but we knew where all the bilge was pumped and that didn’t make that sound like a good idea so we tried again what we had already been told to do which was to alternate between fast forward and fast reverse a few times and that appeared to clear it.  To top all that off the pub was shut between 2 and 4 so no lunch there, instead we had it on board. Cheese, bread, olives, butter, tomatoes, small gherkin things and jam, wonderful, the bread here is just the best.  We decided not to go into Montech as were advised it was nothing flash and everything would probably be shut so as we reach there we turned right and started our journey along the Garonne Canal.  It is all down hill from here which makes it a lot easier in the locks as you can walk off the boat at the top of the lock and easily secure your ropes.  We handed back our remote back up where we were stopping for lunch and the locks from here were operated by twisting a pipe hanging from a wire strung across the canal,  this was Jan’s job to be like Kate Winslet in Titanic and stand on the bow,  Never missed one.  Our first 5 locks ran as a series with us only having to activate the first and the next four being ready for us.  In fact it was operated by real people who would operate the lock manually for us and then hop on their bike and head down he next one.  There was a bypass here where the bigger boats were winched up by a big train type thing but it was not operating while we passed by.  We decided to do three more locks before stopping for the night.  The locks only operated between 9.30am and 6pm with some even stopping for a couple of hours through the day for lunch.  We stopped on the side of the canal at Castelsarrasin for the night, tied up, and had a couple of beers on the poop deck before heading into town.  This was to become a tradition, Jan, bless her had brought us all berets and when we brought the drinks out we had to wear them.  We talked to some yank from Seattle who gave us directions to a restaurant near or at some windmill but after walking for some kilometres we didn’t find it or anything that looked suitable so it was back to the boat for a meal on board which Jan was a pretty dab hand at.

Tuesday –  A pretty relaxed start to the day,  A shower and then on the bike to go and get some fresh bread.  This was again to become a habit as that fresh bread became a stable and enjoyable part of our diet along with the cheeses and other produce we able to find.  We hit our first lock about 10.15 and knew that we hadn’t lost our skills over night although I heard an inkling of noise about sore muscles.  We were into another small string of locks and were just getting our nose into Lock 21 when the green light changed to green and red which means we shouldn’t go in.  As it had been green and we were virtually in anyway we decided to continue and tied up.  However we going nowhere for a while as it would not let us continue.  We had to ring for help and eventually a guy arrived and after a bit of fiddling around said to Jan “It is fucked Madame”.  More people arrived but none with the skill to get us going.  We were asked to back out of the lock and moor up while they worked on it.  A couple of hours later and we right for another go.  Another boat had caught up by this stage and we were two boats in the lock.  They were Americans from Ney York and we got quite friendly with them as we doubled up in the locks with them for the rest of the day.  We berthed in Moissac beside them which was a very pretty ancient river town.

The first job for me was to find a nurse and get my dressings changed.  Where would you find a nurse? Why the hospital of course, at the Urgency Department.  I had this big green bag of stuff I had got from the Pharmacy which I didn’t know what to do with all the stuff.  I had been under this blue sheet so hadn’t seen what they had done with my interesting bag of goodies.  At first nobody spoke English and I couldn’t get my message across until they found someone that could.  Then I got told off for going to The Urgency Dept and told I had to go to a consulting nurse.  Nobody seemed to be able to tell me where to find one.  They finally agreed to get a nurse from the front of the hospital to attend to me, one who had the same name as one of my cousin’s who was really nice and friendly.  She gave me a  lesson in dressing wounds, some more bits for my bag and I was on my way  Back to the boat and beers on the poop deck before heading into town for a look around and a lovely meal outside under the stars.  The restaurants in this part of the world don’t open until eightish so for us hard working sailors it’s a late night.

Wednesday – We sleep in a bit and our American friends are long gone before we set sail.  We have to wait while this quaint bridge is swung open and it a beautiful drive up through the town at 3 knots and everything so peaceful.  We have the Garonne river on our left and it is not long before we are hitting full speed.  Bikes are going past us and even walkers catch up to us at the locks.  The girls are getting pretty good by now and we whip through them.  There were bike tracks along the canals and they are mostly lined with trees and as we are in Autumn the leaves are changing colour and dropping,  A truly beautiful scene. We have lunch tied up along the canal and decide to spend the night at Boe.  We went looking for a meal in town but in the end got some stuff at the supermarket and went back to the boat to cook it.  We had only just got started and the gas ran out.  A call back to Le Boat and they were very apologetic, there should have been a second bottle on board but alas that wasn’t the case.  They were going to bring a bottle out but we weren’t prepared to wait the couple of hours or so that would take and said we would use the electric barbeque and they said they would have it out before nine in the morning.  Being an Aussie Jan was a dab hand on that and we eat well again.

Thursday – Dennis got lost finding us so it was 10 before the gas arrived and we were on our way.  We went up through Agen which was an interesting stretch through the town and harbour. Again so peaceful and serene.  It also took us over a long Aqua duct over the Garonne river, pretty impressive.  We had to wait a while before crossing as there was a boat coming in the opposite direction and no room for passing.  There was a string of five locks on the other side so the girls got a good workout.  We passed Chateaus , farms,  small villages and vineyards and all so lovely.  There had not been much activity on he canals and we only saw three or four boats a day actually motoring.  There were lots of boats tied up along the way.  Some looked like they hadn’t moved for months, other had people living on board, some with beautiful gardens, real show boats.

An impressive bit of backing by the captain saw us get a great berth at Buzet for the night.  We had been lined up to park as the fourth boat out, but ended up with our own berth against the wharf.  This was by far our prettiest birth amongst the beautiful old birch and walnut trees.  Beers, cheese, bread and more on the poop deck before walking off into town.  Unfortunately the vineyard closed at six and we missed that but stocked up and headed back to the boat for our own wine tasting.  Dinner at the local that we think opened especially for us.  We had a choice of either duck or salmon.

Friday – We could have gone down on the river today but decided not risk it as things hadn’t been going all our way.  This was going to be our last day on the canal, sad really.  We got up late, I headed out on the bike to get some bread.  Have I said you could almost live on bread alone here, and wine and butter and cheese, and ham, all so yummy.

After about an hour we berthed at Damazan and went for a stroll.  One of the many old towns along the way and all steep in history.  Coffee in the square and back to the boat for lunch on the poop deck.  We meet up with some lovely French folk who had berthed in front of us and were to share our locks for the rest of the way to Le Mas d’Agenais, pulling in there about four o’clock. This was as far as we were going on the boat.  The Base Manager was a Kiwi guy, Phil Gibb from Hunterville, used to be in the volunteer fire brigade with Vaughan’s (the Brother in-law) brother.  We presented him with our Kiwi flag which in directly had been the cause of the injury to my hand.  We went for a wander up in to the village and found this pub with some ex famous guy playing on a guitar.  After we had brought them drinks they were our best mates.  Well there were two of them the other was not so famous.  Dinner back on the boat.  A soup we had been cooking since Damazan and a clean up of what we had left, yummy.

First chance to get back to the blog and so much has happened but first back to Friday in Mountauban. A beautiful breakfast in the hotel before off o explore the old town but first we went through the joys of finding a doctor for Margaret’s ear problems as they had not been comfortable since the flight over. Decided the channel was blocked up from the nose and some nose drops sorted that. We spent the day just strolling around the city, coffee in the square and a wander up to see our boat.  All very exciting.  The logistics of getting us, our gear and our shopping to the boat the next day took the biggest effort.  We had dinner under the stars back in the square that night, wonderful ambience and strolled back to the hotel for an early night as we were all tired.

Saturday – go to the market, great fun shopping, veggies, cheese, meat coffee.  Lots to taste and all very nice and yummy.  Back to the hotel for a 11 o’clock pick up.  Drop the girls at the supermarket while the boys went on and set up the boat.  The girls got locals excited as they loaded up with beer, wine and water.  All looking good for an early departure when some bloody idiot slices his forefinger left hand.  Blood everywhere, a very deep slice.  We look for a doctor to stitch up as we think it might be quicker than the hospital but in the end decide on hospital.  Dennis the base manager ran us in and got us started in the system. A bit of a noise about not being French and not having a European Card but we offered to pay and showed them our New Zealand passport they seemed happy.  Our chances of being off tonight are looking slim.  When the doctor finally gets around to putting the stitches in he says opps we have a problem.  Tendons have been severed and surgery is required.  He whips the tourniquet off and takes off.  Blood starts pouring out and I have to bunch up the sheet to stop getting covered in it.  When he comes back there is quite a pool of it.  He has arranged an appointment with the surgeon for 9am the next morning for what should only take 3 hours.  He throws in 3 stitches to hold it together and sends me on my way with a prescription for antibiotics and pain killers.  I’m not very happy as you can expect.  All the pharmacies are shut.  After walking to three we decide to order a taxi from someone that only speaks French.  We wait and we wait and have to ring a second time to get someone to arrive.  We manage to find a Pharmacy and head back to the boat to tell Dave & Jan the bad news.  By the time we got back Jan had cooked a beautiful pasta, yummy yum.

Sunday – And we are at the hospital before the allotted hour.  I get shown to a room and after fifty questions from four gorgeous nurses get to put on a gown and hop into a bed.   I get to read a heap of my kindle before being wheeled off to surgery at about 12.30.  I had had a visit from an Anaesthetist telling me he was going to deaden my whole arm but that got downgraded by the surgeon to just my finger.    I got really looked after and it was a lot of fun with the language problems. Ask me sometime about the sign (or maybe body) language to ask me if I had had a number one or two.  I ended up under a blue plastic sheet so did not see what was done and came out with two fingers strapped to a metal plate running down my arm and being told to keep it there for three weeks, bloody great as it almost made that arm almost useless.  Glenda if you are reading this please put me down for three week sick leave from Saturday 6^th.   We got back to Port Canal about 5pm to another great tea from Jan.  I am going to keep her on, pork loin steaks with veggies, another yummy yum yum.

Monday –We have had two nights on the boat and gone no where.  Jan and Dave are very understanding and probably going a bit stir crazy but today we are finally going to be on our way.  Dennis is going to accompany us through the first lock.  I have been given the role of Captain, you would think they would know better wouldn’t you after my effort so far.  Well I was soon going to learn that that driving a Mystique was like driving the Queen Mary.  You had to make the move five minutes before you wanted it to happen, loads of fun and we almost took out the pontoon on our first practise at berthing.  But as often happens we could only get better from there.  We were shown through our first lock and wished good luck.

Typing is very slow with just one hand so thought I had better get this up while I could and had internet.  We are in Buzet at the moment at a Restaurant and it is a rainy Thursday night. .

Margaret and I up the Eiffel Tower

Margaret, Russell, Jan and David just arrived at Mountauban Station

It already seems such a long time ago but the memory of that long plane ride lingers.  At the airport before 8am an hour flight to Auckland at 9:10, A 10 hour flight to Singapore with a 5 hour stopover before the 13 hours to Paris arriving in the dark at 7am Tuesday Morning, raining and coolish.  I probably got about 6 hour of interrupted sleep, watched 5 junk movies but read a whole Baldacci book on the kindle.

We caught up with our friends David & Jan Althorp (from Melbourne) in Singapore and shared an hour with them in the Krisis lounge before they took off to their Business Class suite on the plane.

We dropped our bags at the Hotel Passy Eiffel and went looking for and found a decent coffee.  The rain had stopped so we headed out walking to the Eiffel Tower which we could see not far away.  The name of our hotel may have been a give away that it was close.  We had a whole day to fill before we could have a sleep.

Our first full view of the Eiffel was as you would expect majestic. Crowds were starting to form and the levels were already crawling with what looked like ants.  Although we had been on the tower before we decided to head for the top.  Amazing to think that the tower was only going to be a temporary structure over 120 years ago built in a marsh area.  Saved by the need for good communications it has become the icon of France.  A glass of champagne at the top and a fantastic view made it all worth it.  We were also able to spot the stop for the Green open top bus which was going to be our transport for the next two days.

Paris must certainly rate as one of the great cities of the world, so steep in history and fantastic architecture. Everywhere you looked were great buildings and according to our commentary so many stories to tell. I have to say that I also just love the French woman, they all looked so chic. I could have spent many hours sitting in the many outside seating of the restaurants’ and cafes watching the world pass by.

For tea on Tuesday night we went to a supermarket and picked up wine , olives, bread meat, tomato and cheese and had a party in our room.   Yummy, what a way to end a fantastic day and get an early night.  I think I was asleep within minutes of David & Jan’s departure, a very deep sleep for 5 hours before nature called.

Wednesday we met at 8.30 and headed off to find some breakfast.  For 11E we had coffee, toast, bread and a Ham & Bacon omelet.  Very tasty and filled us nicely as we headed out for our Green Bus stop.  Today we headed out towards Sacre Cour and started walking.  So many interesting things to see.  At about 3pm it started to rain so we found some interesting arcades to explore before hopping on our bus and continuing the tour.  Back to our hotel before heading out to a restaurant that David & Jan remembered from a previous trip.  Unable to locate that we ended up at a little Italian place.  It was still raining when we came out so we puddle hopped back to our hotel.  It rained all night an into Thursday morning.

We went out for breakfast before heading back to the hotel to settle up and catch the Metro to Montparnasse Station where we were catching the Fast train through to Mountauban.  It took about 5 hours with the train traveling at speeds up to 320km per hour.  It was a very comfortable ride and the country side passed by at quite a rate.  We had picked up some beautiful bread rolls in Paris which we had for lunch.  The bread here is just fantastic.  We passed some of the canal which we would soon be traveling on so the excitement level was rising.  The weather had changed and by the time we got off in Mountauban we were in the high 20’s.  We waited half an hour at the station for a cab.  An earlier pickup had promised to send one but we are not sure what happened to it and we were getting ready to walk when as you would expect one turned up.

The Abbaye des Capucins hotel and Spa Resort was to be our resting place for the next two nights.  A really lovely hotel with huge rooms, it started off as a monastery back in 1629 for the Capucin monks and appears to have had a very checkered history. It was very peasant sitting in the gardens supping back on a 1664.  1664 was starting to become our favorite beer. Dinner at the hotel and an earlish into bed.  It was hard to imagine that at this point we had only had two (real) sleeps since we left home.

It is Sunday night and if I my bag was packed then we would be almost ready for the big trip.  Just discovered that the laptop is crapping its self otherwise whyich i guess is good as I might have been dragging a dead weight around.  Will have to do everything on the iPad so this was me testing it. Not as easy as the laptop but seems to be working.  We fly out of Wellington tomorrow at 10:10 and arrive in Paris 7:20am Tuesday after a 5 hour stop over in Singapore.  Stacked up the kindles with plenty of books.  This is supposed to be a relaxing holiday.