Spring Cleaning

Towards the end of last cruising season Matilda was showing she had a few problems. The engine was becoming difficult to start and when it did it was smoky and the exhaust left an oil film on the water. We have mentioned on a previous post that Peter diagnosed the problem as dirty and leaking injectors and erratic operation of the diesel injector pump.

The pump and injectors were removed and we took them to Bosch in Nuremburg, Germany where they were to be fully serviced.

They were sent back in early March and Peter re-installed them. We used the services of a good young local diesel mechanic who tuned the motor. It was started, and all the port knew.

The smoke cleared quickly and when warmed, the motor showed none of the old problems. It now starts immediately and the exhaust is very clean. Life in the old girl yet!

Spring was coming to France, the daffodils were appearing, blossoms were abundant and the weather was becoming warm and sunny. Boats are starting to move. We spent the winter moored beside Soraya and got to know Margaret and Geoff, her owners, quite well. They were keen to get going and left last week.

With the weather warming up we spent some time cleaning the winter “euro-grunge” from Matilda’s decks and covers. If we are not careful it tends to take over without being noticed.

We are continuing our wanderings around Nancy and find more of the beautiful Art Nouveau architecture that this town is famous for.

Our friends Thomas and Cecilia share the first floor apartment of this beautiful building. They invited us for dinner and we were in awe at the space inside.

Opposite their place is a public building of the same era with these stained glass windows by the famous glass artist Jaques Gruber. He headed the Ecole de Nancy for many years and collaborated with Daum in the design and detailing of some of their glass creations. He made many beautiful windows decorating the grander Nancy mansions and public buildings.

 Very soon we will wish Nancy goodbye and start our meanderings around the European waterways again. We have some visitors arriving on board in a few weeks and there will be more to tell. So we will keep in touch.