Despite map, chart, reference book, compass, binoculars and the everlasting "to do" list, we often forget where we are and what day or date it is. The weather in March and April is variable and therefore a major influence upon what happens each day. We don't plan anything too much in advance. Every morning however, Lucie and I have a "What's the recipe to day, Jim?" session, whilst we have breakfast during which time plans for our day's activities emerge. The system has worked well for us but clearly if time were of essence - for example - if on a week's cruising holiday on a hired boat - we would have deadlines to keep - we could not afford such casual indifference to the passage of time.
Thankfully, we have no such pressure or burden with which to contend. One might say that we have all the time that is left to us on this earth and we find ourselves taking each day as it comes so that we can fully appreciate the unexpected - a chance visit from a new friend for instance - the discovery of a great little village nearby - or, finding another source of free wood for the wood burner or some cheap supply of fresh local produce - or looking up a rare bird or tree that we have just seen. We might decide to stay on board reading or blogging, playing the piano, watching a DVD film, cooking, doing découpage whilst listening to the rain on the roof! Then there's the boat maintenance to attend to... yes well, another day perhaps. There's just been an invitation from "so and so" for pre-dinner drinks on their boat, thank goodness we didn't plan anything! QED - you see what I mean?
Never-the-less, just for the record, I am determined to start a "We are here" map as a running blog to enable readers to keep abreast of our progress....and for me to keep a handle on things which in turn will help me relate our story. Here goes the first effort. If you click on it you should get the full size version....It's not clear enough yet but the idea is good I think.
You will soon find an album in the left hand column in which there will be several of these maps showing where we have been but this will take some time to collate.
Click on this map to get a more readable version.....please!
This is the port at Meilhan where we want to stay for the winter 2009/10. It (the Port) is run by an English couple - Mike and Cathy (Ricketts), who run the Capitainerie and the hire boats owned by a British Company, Minervois Cruisers.
We have already met so many interesting people here, both French and English, that this may become our resting place at last. It's that spot on this earth to which we will probably return to each year.
....what a beautifull place to call home!
The picture is taken from the hill top village of Meilhan, looking down on the port - with the wonderful river Garonne in the background. You can just see Body and Soul and Vertrouwen moored outside the tiny Capitainerie, which doubles up as a bar and barbecue spot. Click on it for a better view.
The postal address and telephone numbers are as follows: Minervois Cruisers, Halte Nautique, 47180 Meilhan-sur-Garonne, France.
Tel. 0033 (0)962313707
email [email protected]
web site www.minervoiscruisers.com
If you want a really good family holiday on beautifully British built narrow boats on the best of the French canal system, you can rely on these people for an excellent variety of boats for any combination of people - and the service to boot. Just click on the above web site and have a look for yourself, we thoroughly recommend them.