Canal archive

It’s alright and it’s proved I’m finally going bonkers it’s Bolbec in France not Boppard what a twit. Although I’m sure I’ve heard of Boppard in another context so will look into it.

Thanks I knew I must be wrong interesting to have two towns of the same name in different countries with different languages, there’s got to be a story there. Bit of research needed I think.

You’ll miss a treat with no Bordeaux but you’ll love the Dordogne.

Wow!

Surprise surprise!

If it’s the Boppard I’ve been to it’s in France and a tour on the Scenic Seine cruise it has an old factory turned into a museum one of the worlds original jacquard fabric producers fascinating for any fabric, yarn, thread and machinery buff. Even my DH was interested.

Your right. I don’t know what I’ll be like this year for the first time we’re having our large cases couriered so there’s no way I can see them.

Across the country we have quite a few forces with equestrian units there very useful superbly trained and actually a reassuring presence.

A bit like Eurostar. but trying to make a getaway with a heavy suitcase on a train would be just a bit stupid.

Hopefully they’ll learn. Ohh I know I’ll do it I’m sure I can remember I was young ———-once.

Or is this someone trying to sound as young as the new owners are aiming for, not a particularly interesting review, had they been on a river cruise before?

Fascinating challenge she must have sprung her plates where she is buckled. Why on earth are ships she’s? I’m glad I don’t get buckled (or maybe I do, is it a euphemism) or spring my hummmmm. Although locks are dangerous places the water acts differently in and around them it’s bad enough on our canals but the size of the waterways in Europe causes more challenges.

Interestinggggggggggg

It looks like there are at least three different groups with different ideas on where the divide is, all of them however class the divide as a country border not a geophysical one. I suspect it’s classed by the boffins as a watershed be it one of epic proportions.

Ohhh that’s a tidler for a Viking ship!

It is considered that the Chinese invented a form of locks but a certain Italian invented the locks or something similar to what are used today. Just be very grateful that we don’t now use ‘flash locks’ that would be just a bit of a wild ride. Without these wonders of engineering there would be no river cruising and not a lot of river commerce.

Wow what a huge lock, I could be wrong and I defer to our specialists here but it looks like she was loaded incorrectly judging by the damage midships

Last year we with our friends hired a barge on the canal du Nivernais below a light lunch whilst waiting for the lockeeper. We met up with quite a few groups of Americans doing the same thing. Although this may be more up your street, looked good and the passengers certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.

YouTube has some excellent pieces of The Spanish Riding School especially showing their specialtie - airs above the ground - so much more than dressage as you might have seen in the Olympics. Absolutely beautiful horses.

Some of the butlers we’ve had I could have happily packed in my suitcase to take home they were so good and unobtrusive. As said before a butler does what you want them to, a good butler is a boon to a super holiday but if you don’t use him or her don’t worry. Just enjoy your cruise.

Do be careful where you use your mobile phone the mounted police may get you! Mounted police ride after driver holding his phone https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-64982398

Do let us know if it was active enough for you, sadly some of us cannot do active any longer but we do have family and friends who do. Have a great cruise.

Scenic Gem was actually delivered from her build yard in the Netherlands out across the Chanel along the English coast and when opposite the mouth of the Seine turned left back across La Manche into the river and on to Rouen. Suitably marinised of course she had to be built capable of sea going to get the required agreements to cruise into Honfluer, I think that there are at least two other river cruise companies with the same specifications. I wonder at the people who take a flat bottomed narrowboat across the Chanel although around the world there are the most amazing boats in the strangest places.

I think you are old enough and experienced enough to stand up for yourself and attempt to do something about it without my intervention. Yes I do support them things have not always gone as I would expect and hope but it’s always been sorted in an amicable manner. Of course this could all go by the board so our next cruise will be very interesting as we took it before under very trying circumstances for Scenic and they came out with flying colours. If I have a challenge with any company’s product I make sure they know in the politest possible way, most companies would rather know when something is not up to scratch especially at the moment if they don’t know they cannot do anything to rectify the situation.

I’m sure you are capable of finding out but to make it easier he is the owner and founder of the Scenic group.