Canal archive

That’s the night for you to wear all that fancy stuff you packed ‘just in case’ well at least you can say ‘it wasn’t wasted’.

Those singing birds are beautiful but becoming extremely sought after and costly.

Do exactly what Jazz says, above then sit back and construct a pros and cons list of what you’d rather like to do and what you’d rather not. Then with a glass of your favourite tipple be it water or something with a little more flavour go and do what Jazz suggested again. You’ll get to know what everyone is talking about and be more relaxed in your decision making because when alls said and done your paying out a significant amount of dosh and regardless it’s your holiday. Above all enjoy the process and look on it as part of your holiday.

I have yet to come across an inadequate restaurant in Budapest they all seem to pull out all the stops. That’s us and friends comparing.

Legend (from my Dad) has it that I have an Uncle who was in the Royal Navy and jumped ship during WW2 in Canada, Vancouver side. Now Dad had at least four brothers and two sisters all we’ve lost touch with but Mums sister emigrated to Canada (that’s the reason we got to see a wonderful country)and had two children we are still in touch, plus two brothers to Australia lost to us now. Such a pity my DH was an only child of only children he as far as we know is the last of his line.

You’re so right and the depth it shows of the stone structure I’m sure would stun the original builders. Thank you superb photograph. 📸

Yes would still get a car and there are some really good offers I’ve just had one through the door but I emailed Scenic asking about ONC apart from what is offered for what I am now calling North American suites as it’s impossible to book them unless two years in advance and was asked if I had booked my next cruise and couldn’t get an answer as I hadn’t booked. I’m really miffed as we got to know an Australian who basically started his travel business with the Scenic guy I’m reaching out to him to find out what’s going on. There is only one boat on the Bordeaux route. We had a great time but due to the group on board the staff and crew not the so called leader supposedly Scenics best he did get several extra evening entertainments but ran his own business on the side he was reported to Scenics head office for this, not by us. Did you go to the son e lumiere?

Nippy Sweetie I’m definitely not saying don’t go - all I’m saying is be aware of others and others should, be aware of everyone else. Only you know what your capable of and hopefully that capability does not incomodiate others to any great degree.

In the past as pontac well knows I’ve supported Scenic to the nth degree, well now their website is horrific how on earth can anyone sort out what they want. What a load of absolute rubbish for many many years I’ve enjoyed cruising with Scenic I’m sorry I doubt I will be doing so again. I’m so so sad.

Yes I agree that there are challenges but why do people get disgruntled, excuse me ‘but there by the grace of god. We are on holiday it’s not a race, I hope. Although maybe I’m happy to be reconciled to more than the norm. I just hope some others are not in the same situation.

On board service absolutely fine on shore maybe a bit iffy, switch your phone to Wi-Fi enabled and off you go. I’m sure the USA suppliers are not going to miss out. If they do they are idiots.

On every and I mean every ship rafted I have noticed the crew have been exceptional in helping mobility challenged passengers, is this a Scenic or is it an any other cruise company challenge. I think not! Yes it’s a challenge but not to be overcome. Basically just ask for assistance don’t be afraid, why! Go for it enjoy.

Don’t forget your likely to get different offers for different countries!

Also used ours in the onboard shop and a foot massage but I would check if it is still available for balcony suites.

If anyone in the United States needs to understand that their heritage is somewhat diverse. Visit San Antonio and look at the lists of where people originate from at the Alamo. I know that history is convoluted what isn’t. In my older years I’ve taken up the study of a fairly near history, Georgian to the present day is now my focus. We were absolutely surprised at the variety of heritages these amazing people came from. Us Brits are a soup of ethnicity but from so far back we need specialist DNA to spotlight the different areas in most cases. For myself it’s French because my fathers, fathers, father …. Originated from the Channel Islands but was that Viking French or Mediterranean French? So think we all meet together on boat cruising through Europe and don’t know if our forefathers/mothers fought each other, emigrated together or what. We’re all there to in the first instance enjoy ourselves when maybe a few millennia ago we would have been at each other’s throats or ‘cruising’ across the pond to found a new country.

Extra laundry if there is still obc.

Okay back to the nitty gritty, our cruise a few years ago from Amsterdam to Basel in April was even cold for the locals, some of the inner city canals were still frozen. Luckily we had been keeping an eye on the weather and here I will give nod to Accuweather I’ve used it a lot. So we packed for layers if you can find silk undergarments, no they don’t have to be fru fru, especially socks then you’ll have toasty toes. By the time we reached Basel we were in short sleeves during the day so you really don’t want heavy jumpers but maybe a cardigan or throw for the evening. Have great cruise, enjoy.

My DH has his own E bike and found no challenges with those provided by Scenic he was the only previous user in the group which in the first instance was small they gained members as the cruise continued. They eventually became quite a clique several never having used an e-bike before. On this cruise there were always two guides in this case husband & wife.

Oh come, come a truly beautiful silk scarf if worth its weight in gold, it can finish off many different outfits several times over, as we were in France I thought this one appropriate and on our Seine cruise was stopped in the street and asked by a gentleman if he could buy it as his girlfriend had admired it he was also somewhat shocked that it was French and worn by an Englishwoman. Maybe not everyone’s taste but I’m a bit of a Jean Cocteau aficionado.

On our Moselle cruise our Captain advised any photographers to rise early as it would be the best time to photograph the confluence as we left the river. So several of us intrepid lot got up at silly o’clock only for him to apologise profusely because the river authorities had informed him of rising water levels and to put the pedal to the metal to leave the river. Which of course means that hopefully we will just have to attempt the cruise again. It’s a beautiful river and yes Cochem is a gem.

On my last culinaire cruise I attended three but I was very lucky and had a great time. We’ve also attended courses ashore one memorable one in Lyon at the Paul Bocuse Institute. My advice get in early and book its great fun. Demonstrations yes and talks, strangely enough one of the more interesting a talk on French state payments, pensions etc. An art class on our Seine cruise with a wonderfully off the wall artist. Another in Lyon an afternoon with a French silk atelier, mind you that cost my DH a pretty penny I love scarves.

Good to see a little competition helps keep everyone on their toes re-expectations.

My in house expert has spoken, no throttle but three position lever and evidently speed of peddling. Never tried one myself but he uses his regularly. He also says that Scenic upgrade regularly so this may or may not change although so far not a throttle in sight. I’m pretty sure they are German machines. On our Boudreaux cruise so many signed up they hired e-bikes in, what a fun sight watching some usually strait laced individuals coming to terms with this new invention. You do get full training and cannot go off on your own until your capability is assessed, helmets are must, I think they are a requirement across Europe. Wait til you see the bikes in some of our European cities! Enjoy.

Will double check with DH (an avid e, biker) when he wakes up he’s done several the latest was the Victor Hugo (I think) on the Seine.

Having been really able and mobile all of my life so far I’ve been absolutely knocked back realising that by the my recent onset of heart issues my limbs are still capable but my body isn’t, hope you can understand that. I’m going to have to be very choosy as to the type of cruise I choose to do if I do in the future. I refuse to carry on if I’m going to interfere with other passengers as they will be paying out as much as myself, hard earned cash upset by someone else being in my opinion somewhat selfish. On one of our cruises we had a guy with a mobility scooter, small one he tried everything but went out of his way to not be in anyone else’s way. It is possible but please don’t be precious about it, I know life’s not fair but there are limits. Oh and not all of Europe is cobbled only some parts try the back route it’s most probably a clear open highway!