2017-Reims.

After leaving Graham and Aileen we headed up towards Sillery for a night, so we could arrive in Reims before lunch on Saturday. A river that everyone enjoys..

Its hot again, so we don’t have much energy to sight see… also we had already spent over 10 days here in our first year so felt no rush.!!.

Sorry about the pictures but needs must when it is soo soo hot., (( making use of the air-conditioning when its 38 degree!!!))

Its a nice unit but it doesn’t really cool the boat down but its lovely to stand in front of if cooking or washing up….

Caught up with Nick Lane, ( Faye Staintons 3rd son)  Sarah and their children for an evening drink.

As Nick is now working for Moet, managing the making of the Dom Perignon, he arrived with a magnum of Moet, which slipped down a treat, and was quickly followed by further bottles of bubbly and then Rose wine.

Of course us Kiwis had to watch the Americas Cup first races against USA, again on a small screen but just as much fun….

Also to keep the kids amused, buckets, water and mops work well.

Reims Cathedral……

They have been slowly cleaning up the stone work and its starting to look really amazing.

Then Max-no-mates had to watch the second days racing on his own….                but at least he got the ipad to work!!! good sound as well..

For someone who says he doesn’t want to attempt any plumbing or electrical work,,,, ( cos he finds he can’t get in or out!!)  Max has managed this trip to ..

a).. sort out why the black water tank wasn’t emptying when the pump was running.. Max found an airlock in exit pipe which he bled… works fine now(Thank god, as the thought of a full a 400l tank of s—t is daunting.                                                                         b)..Replaced the broken pump in the shower box with a new one.                                  c)..The last for the best…why was the toilet not flushing but the pump and macerator working??  that took a few slow tentative steps, unbolting the toilet, disconnecting the macerator outlet pipe from the waste pipe. Next holding a plastic bag over the macerator outlet pipe and flushing.. yes the pump works fine, so the issue is a blockage in the down pipe to tank…next shoving a old hose pipe down with no effect.

Luckily a very helpful Captainaire and Nick Lane’s perfect French meant that we got a young plumber before lunch on the Monday who solved the problem quickly, but NOT cheaply… still,, all good to go now.

And we still haven’t managed a dry night since leaving Schweich. and so we will keep trying!!  !!!!!

So we leave Reims on a very hot Tuesday morning….