Barge Date:  05-12-2021

Soon to be on our way

Have been in a funk sitting around wondering if and when we can fly to France. But today I received great news that will make going to France easier and cheaper.

Everyone on the Barge Association site have been doing what I have been doing:  watching the news, learning what will be new this year.  With the UK out of the EU they are finding all of the Brexit changes have put them in a new soup. Harder.

But by reading everyone's post you pick up some clues.  Someone mentioned that he was told by no less than 2 people who do the French Visas that since his wife is Irish and he is a Brit he does not need a Visa.  So I wrote a letter to the French in Washington and they said with EU wife/American husband you can stay as long as you like.  I will just need to have a copy of Marianne's passport, US drivers license and marriage document although they did not give guidance on this point. So for me no trip to Atlanta, no fee and no required insurance. This is the biggest barge news in 4 years. The shame of it all is that it has probably always been this way and we failed to learn of it.

But I wonder if the airlines know about this spouse rule. Remember 3 years ago my ticket was for more than 90 days and they nearly stopped my trip. At that time I had some 45 days remaining on my Belgian visa so that plus the 90 days allowed me more time. I was delayed for about an hour at the Delta counter while they talked to someone at corporate.

Here is what the French said today about a visa:

Dear Sir, Madam,

European citizens and their spouses and children do not need a visa to stay longer than 90 days.

However, due to the current restrictions, if France is not your primary residence, you will have to wait for the restrictions to be lifted.

Regards,

Consulat général de France, Service des visas

For all the other people needing a visa I wish them well.

Marianne and I leave tomorrow for a week stay in Santa Fe, NM.  Have never been there. Small town with a central old section.  Lots of artists.  We will stay in 2 different small houses within walking distance to the things we want to see. If need be, we will rent a car for a day or two if we want to get out and about.  7,000 feet in the sky.

Then in June everyone flies to Pittsburgh for this twice postponed wedding of Andrew and Christina. Weather should be good.  Looking forward to seeing my little muskrat. She is up and about and talking up a storm.

Anyone want to house sit in Thomasville, GA just let us know.