2000

Back to Calendar 2000

Youngest Daughter - + Youngest Daughter’s Son - to Lyons airport to return to l’Angleterre.

A project not without dramas.

First drama getting show on road for 0800 start - ugly.

Left boat in chaos with half eaten breakfast and unwashed dishes everywhich where - drew curtains against promenaders looking in and seeing.

Somehow, managed trip to airport perfectly, taking "tiger line" across country. Hit "La Perifique" motor way somewhere or other, and were wafted past - or rather under, it was all underground - Lyons out to the airport side before we knew we were even close to it.

Hence 1 hour early at airport.

Parked car (after those of us with weak bladders had been attended to, or had attended to themselves at appropriate fast trot) and made way into that other strange world of air ports and air travel and air travelers.

Coffee then the "seeing loved one off at airport exercise". Last seen was Youngest Daughter trying to persuade airport security that she carried no bombs whilst security officer (male) removed Grandson from incompetent female security officer and proved that he was a well trained dad.

Trip back to boat reasonable incompetent.

Couldn’t find Autoroute tunnel under Lyons, and ended up on side road outside Lyons in fruit growing area where all the fruit trees were trained along wire frames so they grow vertically flat. They were all in full blossom, and the sight was glorious. Hundreds of acres of them. A most successful and enjoyable way loss.

Found ourselves back beside an enormous Rhone River at lunch time, so stopped, had sandwiches, and watched one of the famed pusher tugs pushing a huge square barge (rudder in bows) at an incredible speed up the river.

Got back to boat eventually to be teased by Ferdie (River Dance) about not being able to waken us at 10.00 to return a borrowed book (found book on bow seats when we got back). Slightly embarrassed when assured we left the boat at 0800! Can understand the mistake though - we have a name for getting up very late - rest of boats seem to have much loved dogs (ghastly pouches or shenzies) that insist on walks and food before the day has begun.

Spent virtually whole day running back and forwards to France Telecom for new bits for telephone/e-mail, etc.

Bit shaken to discover that not only had promised item not arrived, but it would be a month before it was even likely.

Only alternative was to agree to much more expensive Bosch alternative complete with money up front for half of it. Unfortunately, the fellows we spoke to last week were there only briefly, and we had to deal with an "agent" whose French was heavily accented to the degree of almost total incomprehension. He was not happy over superior’s promise of 1 week’s delivery (obviously thought it likely that delivery would be much delayed), but conditions were that goods would be tried out on premises, and if they didn’t work - no sale! We’ll see. Not a jolly mornings amusement, but we have GOT to have something working, and the Ericsson is clearly unreliable in the long term - even if we can get it working now, which we can’t. Gave them the necessary cash to order the Bosch thingamajig, and we’ll see next week.

Little to do at boat, due to cold wet windy weather precluding outside work.

Weather continues poor, little being done on boats, and most people just existing.

Drove up to Decise to Crown Blue Line hire base to ask about craning - but realised on arrival that crane far too light for our 16 - 17 tons, so trip a waste of time.

Enjoyable, however, going through places we had twice passed through on the canal.

Generally, news as for yesterday - air of unsettlement in Port as people talk of "going".

Up to Claudia and Vivien Bridson’s - Swiss wife, South Africa husband) in a mass visit for perfectly disgusting cheese fondue to celebrate the departure of Willy (Villy) and Lisa to-morrow.

It appears that we met these two up the Canal de l’Est last year at Charmes when one of us swiped the other’s lock or mooring place. Can remember Charmes, but cannot really remember them!

Swiss - hence invitation, as Claudia is Swiss!

Went up in 2 car loads - was our invitation as a result of our having a car?

Reasonably disorganized evening - saw almost totally unbuilt gites and b & b all due to be occupied for Easter!?!

Real hooly blowing all day - could hardly stand against it, and boat hopping about and bumping the jetty.

Most uncomfortable, absolutely nothing done all day.

Had Judy and Ferdie - River Dance - for supper, they are off to-morrow. Acknowledged weariness all round resulted in "slow" evening.

Received post - income tax returns! Also various other bits of partially incomplete business. Well done "sender of miscellaneous post".

It appears that there is not one single piece of ordinary everyday private business - e,g. personal insurances and bank accounts - that has not been dealt with incorrectly by the relevant firm or organisation, and that has not gone wrong since we left UK. All these things were dealt with perfectly properly and correctly by us up to and before  departure. The ever increasing tide of sloppiness engulfing everyday business - exacerbated by 0900 menu tel numbers - must be leading to eventual disaster. It appears that everything is messed up, because it is perfectly well known that correction will be carried out over the phone, without any written records showing the incompetence of the perpetrator.

The answer is probably for everybody to write proper formal letters on these occasions - so that the relevant "mangers" see the sort of cock-ups that are being carried out in their name, but no-body likes a whistle blower, and who can be bothered to write whingeing letters, anyway.

Wind lessened in night, to be replaced by heavy rain!

Wind dropped through the day - but showers still evident, and large area of snow visible on the hills to the West.

Started by sorting - hope once and for all - the perfectly disgusting bilge pump/nodding donkey, that has given grief since day 1 of Albert.

Ran engine for a bit - long gossip with Gordon of Redquest from the Leeds & Liverpool.

Whilst chatting 2 women stopped by and one introduced herself as the Mayor of Wantage on a twinning visit with Mably - a suburb of Roanne. Dreadful woman - typical politician - made no attempt to introduce her companion, who I suspect was French with no English - and never let Gordon or I - both of whom have strong opinions on why not to live in England - say more than 5 words before interrupting us.

Got 2 mock ups of fenders done (want 8 French type fenders to protect sides of boat from very rough concrete in locks), and as they seemed OK went up to Casterama (huge B. & Q. type establishment) and bought lots more SS screws, bolts, self tappers, etc.

S went gardening - i.e. plant purchasing from equally huge garden centre type establishment - but more so - along with the necessary pots - etc.

Quite a satisfactory day, considering weather continued "anti".

Got up to traditional Sunday Breakfast - why does French Muesli clog up my teeth so that not even a tooth-pick can gain access?

Intention to "get on with work".

Started to get on, but hooly and rain re-impinged - but decided to give it a go anyway.

Completed another pair of fenders, and after most exhausting physical contortions managed to bolt 2 holdfast brackets to hull side in bows just below rubbing strake ready for fenders.

S lost spanner in bow locker - involved removal of 1 gas bottle and almost entire contents.

Much excitement when the electric drill wouldn’t work. Noticed the electric extension plug was dangling in the water. Both boat's and shore supply safety switches had jumped out. Not surprising.

Took all day because a great deal of time on these occasions is taken up with gossiping - either to fellow boaters - dead technical - or members of the public - dead French.