Christmas 2010

Thursday 23^rd December 2010

Very soon it will be Christmas. Eastern France’s weather is still un-predictable, today is fine but overcast, a change from the steady rain washing away the snow of the past few days.

We have a number of “projects” on the go at the moment, our box from Perth has still not arrived so we are limited in clothes and other basic commodities. We have double glazed the windows in the coach house by fixing a film of heat shrink plastic over them, effectively increasing insulation and decreasing condensation, essential in keeping the interior comfortable. We have taken on over 700 litres of heating oil as well as 3 cubic metres of firewood which hopefully will see us through the winter.

We have been hunting for some furniture and have added a small dining table to the saloon. Seating four, it does not take up too much room. We have also been looking closely at the flat pack products – Ikea and the like as we need some drawer units for storage. We have found a number of units to fill our needs. We have decided to replace a large and spreading old lounge with smaller chairs to make better use of the space. Peter is going to turn a small area in the passageway into a workstation area, home for the computer and an office of sorts. It all sounds very mundane but as Matilda will be our home for a few years all essential for our comfort and those who travel with us.

The canal that our port is on – Canal du Rhone au Rhin – which connects the south of France and the Mediterranean to the Rhine River in Germany, is still used commercially and every day or so, a big barge will pass  laden - or empty. Peter is fascinated by the control the skippers of these barges show as they drive them in and out of the locks with only centimetres clearance on each side. Something we are both going to have to learn to do as Matilda is the same width as these freighters.

We look back at the year that has passed and it is with a little shock we realise that we have actually done it. We have achieved in our retirement, a dream of many years. We look forward to the next few as we wander through Europe hopefully from time to time in the company of our friends.

We take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.

In the meantime, keep in touch

Winter has come early to France. As you can see we arrived in the afternoon of 2nd December at the port St. Symphorien sur Saone to find 200mm of snow carpeting everything including Matilda. Once on board the fire was started with a supply of wood left by the previous owners and soon the chill lifted. The central heating was on standby keeping everything just above freezing.

We have spent the last few days settling in and finding out about Matilda and our environs. Marg has been busy in the galley setting things to her liking while Peter has been busy around the boat working out a program of “Home Improvements” all to put our personal stamp on new home.

As we are port bound and stationary till early spring, we realised we needed transport to get around the area. We are 4 kms from the closest shopping centre – St John de Losne and that is too far to cycle in these conditions. We have purchased a 10 year old Renault Scenic, not fancy but will suit our purposes for local travel.  

Today, Monday 6^th has rained all day, the snow has gone and mud is taking it’s place, Slightly warmer, (+3 degrees) but we have been promised a deep freeze after Wednesday. Christmas will be interesting as there will be only three other barges occupied in the port over the festive season. We are looking forward to reporting on the wild festive activities from downtown St Symphorien.

So - keep in touch.

Peter, Margaret and Matilda