Once upon a time (or perhaps that should that be long, long ago) a young couple set off on the long journey from Scotland to South Africa. Never ones to do things the easy way and being of the view that the journey rather than the destination's the important bit they decided to go overland and chose, for reasons best known to themselves, to convert a
London Taxi into the 'mobile home' necessary for the 6 month trip.
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| En route from Glasgow to Cape Town. Our trusty London taxi |
That adventure is outside the scope of this blog but was one of many relived during the past few days over bottles of burgundy when we were joined by Richard and Corine. We lived with Richard for some time in Cape Town and he and Rob worked together on a salvage ship in often dangerous waters around the Cape.
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| Whale catchers on tow (from Durban to Maputo) but one's about to sink (1976) |
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| Quick! Cut the tow wire! |
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| Too late! Gone... |
Considering the quite hair raising risks taken it is remarkable we've all lived long enough to enjoy reminiscing in the altogether calmer waters of the River Yonne in France.What is also remarkable is that this present day adventure of ours on L'Avenir is not only making us new friends but reuniting us with old ones. We hadn't seen Richard for 30 years. Richard and Corine now live near Marseille so it was a long drive for them to meet us in Auxerre but we so enjoyed having them and dogs Sam and Charlie on board. Thank you for coming!
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| Richard, Corine & Charlie and Sam |
Our recent 'engine problem' has caused us to reconsider our cruising plans. We made our way safely back to Migennes and Simon from the boatyard there immediately went and got the spare that we needed. He was of the opinion that he and Rob could together manage the job without needing a lift out. I didn't quite share their confidence so went for a long walk (with plenty of money and my passport in case of the worst!). As ever, my fears were unfounded and when I returned the boat was still safely afloat and what's more safe and seaworthy. Our visitors were en route so we decided rather than venture back up through all the locks along the canal du bourgogne we'd take the rather more relaxing route along the River Yonne to Auxerre and then spend a couple of days between there and Gurgy.
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| Wine tasting table set up conveniently close to L'Avenir at Gurgy |
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| Santé!! |
Auxerre is the beginning of the canal du Nivernais a little of which we did last year. So we have to choose - attempt the shallow but beautiful Nivernais or go back and try the extraordinarily weedy but also beautiful canal du Bourgogne.
Today, a holiday Monday, we're having (another) lazy day watching a couple of lovely swans showing off to each other Auxerre.
Which way next?
ohhhh lovely! I like the way you're incorporating pictures throughout the blog, makes for enjoyable reading! Amazing you got to catch up with such old friends, and nice to see a piccie of the old taxi! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for following the blog Lorna! Lucky to have a good internet connection here. Not sure when the next will be. xx
ReplyDelete-and btw the 'cheers' pic from the wine maker was directed to you when I told him you worked in a fine wine shop in Australia.
ReplyDeleteBourgogne!
ReplyDeleteNot sure a pic of a sinking ship is the best thing to have on a boating blog! Sounds like you're managing to have a good time despite your tribulations.
I know Shona. You're right but we had a few days of reliving old times so a bit of self indulgence!
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