Well what a start to the year-- we had the most amazing time in New Zealand for 3 months, spending lots of lovely time with Emma and Jesse, and catching up with old friends and various boating friends around the country. Wok and Sam gave us a couple wonderful trips out to Great Barrier and Kawau Island, and also gave us the use of their apartment in Auckland as a base, which made such a difference.(especially with the amount of clothing we brought with us.)
So despite 2 weeks complusory quaratine in a hotel in Aucklansd, and various PCR tests in Sydney on the way home and in Chichester-- we got back to real life for a few weeks. Back to work for me into a very different enviroment with none of the 92 covid cases the unit had when I left in Feb, ( actually had forgotten that The Royal Free Hospital is a major liver specialised centre).
Max went back to the spraying jobs that had lined up while we were away. Trying to see friends was tricky as lock-down was still an issue.
FINALLY D Day;;; we thought we had filled all the necessary paperwork and with our negative PCR tests we drove to Dover.
Little bit of a hiccup with a very dour French customs man at Dover 😕😓 when on the entry form, from the 12 boxes for reasoms to travel= we actually couldn't tick one because none really applied to us. The nearest one was that we had a secondary resisdence in France.
Despite feeling really clever because Max had got the Capatinerie of Beaziers Port to write an official letter for us---the customs man didn't like it. Have to admit he did'nt smile at all but with a big shake of his head and a sigh--he ticked the box for secondary residence saying at the same time that he could refuse us -- and we got through---PHEW it was close. Not sure the french are liking the English much at the moment.
The faithful Yaris loaded again but not that full as French Wine stores have all closed due to Brexit,
So juat a roll of carpet, and 25m roll of marquee material for the new part of the winter tent and of course Max's bike.
Due to covid we decided to drive straight through to Beziers and apart for stopping in a truck stop for 4 hours sleep, we arrived at 6 am to a very dirty (recent Sahara sand storm) boat.
Time to clean and take down the winter tent.
So hosing, scrubbing, taking frame down and packing up tent, backs aching and all in 4-5 hours.
Finally where Max wanted to be, after a nana nap and shower/shave he is enjoying his first cold beer of the holiday..
This was Max's can of coke left in the car that didn't like the 30+ heat of the day- no mess but top blown off.
Neighbouring boat------luckily empty so no candle light suppers to endure.😂😂😂
Empty Quay at Beziers which is often full of hire boats but it is so much quieter this year.
A member of the Kiwi French boating group -- Charles Whitehead has designed a pennant flag for our boating group.
We may ell be the first oaot to have her flying in France.
We like it, and of course it doesn't stop us flying other black flags..😀😀
After a week or so in Beziers we have to take off across the Etang to Sete and then Frontignan for a meet with the Nicolas, the canvas man for a measure up for the new back end of the winetr tent we need made.
Due the the low bridges from Beziers down the Midi to the round lock at Agde, and onto the Etang. Due to the low bridges on the Midi, we have to put the canvas down, and then glass especially for the Bridge/lock at Villeneuve-les-Beziers.
You can see the top of arch of the bridge at the end of the lock. Better not to take any chances but we could squeeze under with the glass up but a few inches either way would see our windshield crack. ---just not worth it👍👍👍
Through!!!! so now onto Sete - the place where we moor on a wall just on the entrance from the Etang, so not to have to go through under the rail and and road bridges into the main part of Sete maririme area. (PLUS its free- always a bonus). The local living there are very frindly or seem so to us each time we moor.
As you can see the plaine tree disease in the south of France has meant alot of beautiful old old trees have been cut down along the banks, taking with them a lot of the charm of the canal.
First lot of rain while moored on the wall in Sete. Again waterways so much quieter then even last year.
Canvas man on his way so up AGAIN with the wooden tent frame. Max has to make another A-frame support for the rear end so when you don't have as car???????
Guess this will be supper tonight😀😀😀 -- pop up area for the months of July and August.. The french are very good at these things during the summer months, with music get-ups, arts and crafts etc-- not forgetting all the markets.
I on the other hand was having a dilemaa with my gin glass---- unfortunalrly the large one, although i really like the shape, is rather too large, (needs much too much gin), ice melts and it gets a bit dilute so I have reverted to my favourite glass again.
Again having problems with my blogsite and so excuse all the jumble.
Last note for boaties.
The Maison Carrree, the best preserved Roman Temple in the world.
