May 2015, and finally up the River Doubs.

As my darling husband had allowed his NZ driving licence to expire, I drove him out with a full car load to St Jean de Losne, and caught the train back to the UK to finish my work in London. 

On the way out we detoured through Toul and caught up with two sets of friends who had moored their boats there over winter and had started their summer season already.  Jan & Bill, and Tex & Anthea.

Jan and her new Bunting.. just for us!!!!! And a good night we had. (esp gin at 7.45 euros) and extra entertainment from Austin, (from Oz.)

 Max then entertained Jenny & Paul from Chichester on his own but had help with NZ neighbours, Annette & Barry ( From Orakei)

Lucy arrived on the boat end of May and it seemed that was the weekend the Kiwis started to descend in to St Jean. We caught up with Tony & Kay from K’ Rd, Carol & Frank Perry from Auckland, Mike & June from Devonport, and a few new couples we hadn’t met before. Still waiting on our pontoon for Glen & Trish from CHCH and  French friends, Francois & Sylvie.

And Annette & Barry from Orakei. AND the weather was good.

Now Claire has joined us from Australia for a while as she sorts her relocation to London. She is a delight to have on board and although she is now a young woman, she is still our little girl. She is also giving us a run for our money on olives and Rose!!!!      The weather has been lovely and hot at about 30-35 degrees..

So on up the River Doubs to Dole and on to Besancon.

DOLE.

 

New Rose wine Max found.. he liked the labels,,, and they tasted alright toooo.

The crew!!!  And the new pitch fork works really well.

Dappled sunlight through the trees.

BESANCON

Round the city walls to the Marina, and then up the Citadelle.

Vauban, who built or renovated more than 160 fortifications between 1663 & 1703 under King Louis XIV. (12 are on The World Heritage list).  At the age 34 he oversaw all of the kingdoms defences and developed a network of fortifications. His approach to fortification would serve as a model world-wide until 19C. 

Weather still lovely and hot as we arrived at Baune-les-Dames.  Moored right next to the restaurant so treated ourselves.

At I’Isle-sur-le-Doubs we had a lovely surprise visit from Dawns’ brother, Andre & Julie, on their way back from Aix , where Andre had been working for the last 6 months. (Lucy also went to School with Andre),  Weather actually turned to crap that night and stayed with us for the next week.

Next, up the chain of locks from Valdieu through to Mulhouse over 2 days. We had our own VNF man following us to work the locks, all 36 of them.

Then Mulhouse and the BUGGATTI Museum.

How many photos can we include on this amazing expo?? So Max has done a separate blog.                    And if its not a dog, its another boat called Max!!.

And we say au revoir to Claire for a week as she heads off to Nice & Cannes ( where the weather is seriously much better), to meet up with Kate from NZ.    And leaving Mulhouse.

The winter and start of 2015

 

Winter started off with a visit from Marie, our neighbour from Riddell Rd and then Max met Peter Kean in London. ( of course pubs!!!!)

A trip up to the Tower of London to see the Poppies.. just so breath-taking.

For our wedding Anniversary in October we took 4 days away and had a flying visit to Scotland. Caught a train to Glasgow, hired a car and headed up past Loch Lomond to Fort William. Visited the Glengoyne Distillery, Even the trucks advertise..,,

The copper distillery plant and the display room showing the different colures of whiskey as they mature.

Up past Fort William to stay with good skiing friends Peter & Lesley from Newcastle in their cottage way up over the highlands, high on the west coast in Gairloch.

Past ruins and then the famous Castle Eilean Donan.

The highlands were beautiful. Rugged, yet smooth, wet, cold, windy and with wonderful array of Autumn colours.

Then, off to find Nessie at Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness. Visited Castle Urquhart  and  onto Elgin to stay with Lucy's Scottish cousin Hilary Macrae,

Did a quick visit past the battle fields of Colluden and then a cheapy flight of £19 back to Gatwick from Inverness.

NOVEMBER.. saw going to NZ for Emma's’ graduation in Dunedin. Claire few from Oz and Don & Elaine Robertson ( Em’s Godparents) and Chuck, Janet & Lisa Demeyer (Claires’ Godparents) all joined us for the weekend.

It was a great time.

And dear old Maddie, who was still alive in November albeit quite blind and deaf. Unfortunately she has since passed away, but was much loved by Steph and Ron in Matakana for her last years.

Back in UK, the first of many get togethers with good boating friends, Bill & Jan Caddey, and Bill & Min Jennings ( More drinking, of course)

Christmas in Bournemouth with Dawn & Alvin.

Liz jasper and a few of her cars in her garage at Goodwood.

Didn’t manage our ski trip in January to Kitzbul as Max’s hip was still not quite right, so next excursion was for Lucys’ Birthday to Brussels. We went for 4 days while she attended a Medical Conference ( Well , some of the time!!) 

   Then April, CHAMPOLUC, the annual ski trip with the group from Chichester.

The A Team, having a snifter on the last run down.

After skiing, once the ski boots were off, it was a nightly effort to make our way home past the cafe-bars, and cocktail  bars.

 

and a few

pit-stops

at the

‘PIGS ARSE’

Now, back to Chichester to sorted and ready for the summer away on KIWI ROSE.