Last fiddled with 03 January 2009 and should be on Base
16
March 2008 Sunday
In Lymington, UK. (Just me, not the boat)
Quick
bike trip around for photo shots of bleak late winter scenes around
Lymington.
Nerves concerning trip out, and state Albert will be found
in.
Last minute rushing round Hampshire and Dorset "getting" things that
might be needed on the boat. Always attacked by this syndrome
every year, cannot think why. France is most definitely not a third
world country, and most things are just as obtainable there as in the UK,
- it is just a question of hunting it out in a different place, in a different
language - having looked up the French word first!
What is the
French for "unpowered 4 way USB hub"?
The
top pictures are of Lymington!
17
March 2008 Monday
In Lymington,
UK
Still faffing around, but faster, and in circles.
Single suitcase ridiculously heavy. Cannot believe everything in it
is necessary, but cannot decide what to leave behind, so packed it all
"just in case".
18
March 2008
Tuesday
en route, Lymington to Decize
Summary
- Lymington to Decize by train. I can recommend this way of getting
here. Total cost about £100.00 the trip (incl taxis) if you
buy return on Eurostar. Took about 12 hours. Arrange and
pay for whole trip on internet. Just had a thought -
prices are for "seniors" - bad luck you kids.
Taxi
05.45, was ready for it - just.
South West trains to Waterloo - the SW trains are, these days, incredibly
comfortable and smooth. What a joy - no smoking, and no filthy belching steam
engine. Love steam engines - but ????????????????????
Taxi to the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. Can't see what all
the fuss was about when they opened it (the terminal) - very efficient and
clean, but, to me, not neither beautiful nor impressive. Seemed to
be full of American schoolgirls - very mature, immaculately turned out, very
beautiful, but chewing gum.
Horrified to find pre-booked seat was in carriage 18. Had debouched from
steeply rising moving walkway at carriage 1. (embarrassingly enjoyable
domino effect when large heavy suitcase overbalanced and slid back downhill
amongst legs and similarly placed luggage of rising passengers behind).
Long walk on "dot and carry one" legs to ultimate rear of train.
On departure, rear of train became front, very convenient for being first in
taxi queue at G. du Nord.
Eurostar super, comfortable, smooth, and very fast. Not sure about
refreshments - had own - and slept.
Afraid, at this time of year, spring has yet to sprung, French country side
looked like English - cold, bleak and wet.
To Nevers - non stop and fast, then local "Klattabang all stops" to
Decize - 20 minutes.
Pre-booked taxi (well done Crown Blue Line) awaited -
TO ALBERT!
Found Albert exactly where and as I left him/her some 7 months
ago.
Was greeted by boater from long line of ex hire plastics tied up for winter with
information that all electric points were occupied, showed me his, and indicated
that tampering with it would be a capital offence, and suggested that the others
were sacred, as well.
He retired back to his own boat without the customary offer of a cup or a
drink. Where do they come from ????
(made quick competent boater type plan, so all boats remained connected,
and coupled up).
The complete wrap over of
tied down sheets of cheap plastic, leaving holes for the ventilators to poke
through seemed to work well.
The cabin was dry and smelt sweet. Bed, thankfully, ready made down.
Quick trip on bike to Supermarche for milk, got
electricity working , sorted domestic water, cabin heater, gas cooking and
water heating.
Supper
Bed!
Quite a story re cleanliness of Albert. At last season's end, there was a "lump" on/in stomach. Personal diagnosis was cancer
of the gut and boating was probably leaving agenda. In back of mind
while clearing up was thought that next person aboard would be someone else -,
so had to leave everything clean, neat, tidy, and working. Made mad dash to Dr
in UK on return in Sep last. Dr fell about laughing - hernier.
Cold spring had got even colder, and sleep disturbed by extreme chilliness.
Couldn't remember where blankets were, and far too cold to search.
Used sundry waterproofs, instead - unsatisfactory.
19
March 2008 Wednesday
In Decize, on Albert
Settling in again, to-day
Got internet/mobile phone set up, and bothered everybody with e-mail telling
them - possibly a bit over triumphantly - where I was, Set up little gadget that
lets me play iPod over boat's built in car radio. Extremely pleased
as record collection on iPod goes back about 10 years, and haven't heard the
majority for at least 5.
Weather quite filthy, very cold, strong wind, lots of rain! Too bad
- I chose to come!
Couldn't find anything in the boat,
until stumbled on the idea of not looking -
then knew exactly where it was.
Much progress but as boat was in good nick, not sure what in, although very busy
20
March 2008 Thursday
In Decize,
Lots more settling in, and trips to SM - both local and big ones across
river. Yellow Brompton doing a splendid job.
Bought small electric pressure washer at unbelievably reduced price - probably
rubbish, but if not could be very useful if it works.
"Made in
China".
21
March 2008
Friday
In Decize
Heavy rain, and storm winds all day. Only left the boat for 10
minutes to greet CBL staff in office.
No sign of other boaters, although their car - Mercedes of course - is along at
the end of the line.
22
March 2008 Saturday
In Decize, on Albert
Very cold
night - had serious concerns about the domestic water heater freezing
up. They can freeze up very quickly, as their vanes and wall vanes
are very thin.
Took more
excecise on bike around the Super Markets - Monday is a holiday - and, believe
it or not, got face "sunburnt". Bitter wind blowing all
directions at once, and invariably straight into one's face.
Pictures
show a cold bleak Decize base virtually deserted and closed on Easter Saturday. 
Quick
bike trip around for photo shots of bleak late winter scenes around
Lymington.
The cabin was dry and smelt sweet. Bed, thankfully, ready made down.
21
March 2008
Friday
In Decize
