May 2016
Over the winter they had taken the engine out to sort our defunct pistons ( even the rods were bent,) and the crank shaft, etc etc etc….and put her back with new hoses etc.
Stopped on the way for a night in Toul with Jan & Bill Caddey who have been on their boat for the last 10 days, with 10-12 degrees. Freezing and slightly bored, surrounded by Americans and Bill has done his back in and can’t climb off the boat!!. Doctors here in France are amazing and a visit on the boat by a local GP and drugs prescribed ( lots of Valium) and he’s starting to look good.
On to Schweich where the boat has been out of the water all winter and arrived in a mere 14 degrees. So just in case weather changed we took off the tent, up with the canopy and even washed the hull to get rid of the yellow stains.
SO as now the boat was ready to go into the water, we left in in their hands as the deisel company had to come in and be around when they did the river trials. Friends had watched to check she didn’t sink and all seemed well.
We had planned back in Feb a quick side trip to Greece for a week on the weds, which was just as well as driving each morning from the B&B the temp on the car said 5-7 degrees.
GREECE, and the cooler weather looked like it had followed us there.But we survived.
We only managed 2 very short visits to the main town of Chora, as once 10am came the people ( mostly over 70 and over 100kgs) from the cruise ships would swarm into the town for their day visit.
We got really lucky and the lovely owner man upgraded us from a double room with balcony to a lovely large 3 bedroomed villa with spa pool and large patio.
The bikers!! we always have such fun ( but only Max drives!!)l Means we can explore and stay away from the busy town and party beaches!!
Some of the empty beaches we found as it is so early in the season. Still cool but up to 22 in the sun, ( when it wasn’t windy.).
The contents of our fridge,,bottled water, beer, wine ( of sorts!!) gin, tonic, olives and stuff to go on crackers……. What else could one need to survive???
Its tough when the the cheaper stuff is on the lower shelves and one has to get on hands and knees to see the labels…
GERMANY..
Got back to Schweich and found the boat nicely in the water. Good friends Austin and Susie ( from Sydney) kept an eye on her for us. And watered our plants..not that they needed it often.
Had a good 3 hrs out on the river to test the boat and Max is very happy with the engine ( of course we haven’t paid the bill yet!!)
Then we have had a series of hiccups. ( as all boaties do) We find out that all the locks on the Mosselle River are closed each year for the first week in June for maintenance ( nobody TOLD us.) Added to that we find a few electrical problems and the new 6 month old water pump is behaving irratically. Then the horrendous rains in Europe, with floods everywhere , means half the rivers are now closed because they are in flood and and half the local forests floating in them.
These are photos from the BBC reports
The Mosselle next to us is no exception. Its racing like the Rhine on a good day, about 10-12 knots. It will take a few days to slow up but its all the debris that causes continuing problems.
WE have been very busy though, installing santas present to Max in the kitchen. After visiting friends we realised we have the 50ml version and NOT the 25mls (oh what a shame, we just have to get larger glasses!!)
We have had a few good sessions with Austin and Susie (Freshwater) who set off for the Saar before all the closures and at the begining of the rains.. Spent their time dodging the forest on the river but luckily didn’t have to go too far to get through the first lock, and safe from future closures for the week.
AND SO WE WAIT, its June 2nd, so we couldn’t go anywhere even if we were ready as the locks won’t open till the 8th June
So we have the trusty little Yaris and we will go visiting others friendly boaties who are also stuck around within a 2 hrs drive from us due to locks closed or out of action for a few weeks.
Being on a boat here is certainly full of little problems that challenge your peace of mind, and make making plans laughable
MAXS’ NEW MOTTO FOR THIS YEAR
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