We moored up on the pontoon at Rueils close to a gorgeous weeping willow tree. Unfortunately it was raining by now, so we took advantage of the free Wi-Fi and uploaded pics, checked e-mails and Skyped Mum and Dad, jade, Matt and Lillie and Jody and Kate. It was lovely to talk to them all and to see them - Lillie is growing so fast! During our conversation with Jody and Kate we heard they were going to Sete in the South of France over Christmas to stay with Jo’s Mum. We arranged to meet up with them and decided that Sete may not be a bad place to spend the winter - it’s right on the Med with lots of ex-pats about so Mike and I should be able to get work if we want ... read more

We set out from Vernon on a bright sunny Sunday morning, Peter, Vincent, Thomas and crew merrily waving us off. Our plan was to get through the next lock or two and head to Port van Gogh at Clichy/Asnieres, just outside of Paris. In the glorious heat we set off, passing old ruined bridges and castles, luxurious chateaux and luscious green scenery with all manner of waterfowl and birds clustered around. Big fish leapt high from the glistening water - paradise. After a few hours soaking up the sights, sounds and sun we came close to the lock at Mericourt. After our previous experience I suddenly felt a bit sick - would the new cleats hold? I donned my lifejacket and climbed up to the roof, arming myself with a boathook. We got the green light ... read more

We departed our berth just after 8.10 that morning to await the opening of the bridge and get through the locks to the mouth of the Seine in time to catch the tide we hoped would carry us to Rouen, some 65 miles upriver. As we waited for the bridge we found amusement in a couple next to the Vieux Bassin (harbour we were in). We watched them scurrying back and forth from the water’s edge to their camera which was rested on a bollard, trying desperately to get a holiday snap of themselves. Apparently this wasn’t all that easy - they completed the ritual at least 5 times whilst we were waiting and for all I know they’re still there. The lock on the way out was fun. On the way in the water had ... read more

Cherbourg is a pleasant and bustling town. After tidying the boat, having lunch, chilling for a bit, recovering our nerve and showering - it was early evening. We went for a walk to exchange our money and explore. Unfortunately the bureau de change was closed so we decided to withdraw some Euros for our dinner and swallow the fee! With the cash nestled snugly in our pockets we took a walk around the old Norman town and marvelled at the cute little buildings in cobbled streets - particularly at a cute little green and pink gabled ‘salon du the’ which Mike described as a ‘Hansel and Gretel House’. Feeling a little thirsty and keen to sample some beer al fresco we continued wandering in search of a nice place for an early evening beer. Not far ... read more

Left Dartmouth on July 26th at 6.45am (later than anticipated due to Mike having to pukll an all-nighter to sort his tools and store them!) with sun shining brightly on the flat sea. Our nerves about meeting a tanker were soon tested as we found ourselves on a collision course with a freakin huge one just outside Dartmouth and had to stop to bob over the huuuuge wake it left behind! However, when we actually got to the shipping lanes, all we could see were these huge leviathans on the horizon - who'd have thought our closest encounter would be less than an hour out to sea?! We dealt with a few hairy moments on the crossing - some pretty big rolling waves were hitting us side on for a few hours causing a lot of ... read more