Barge Date:  06-13-20222

Arrival in France

We arrived in Paris on June 1 at 6AM in the morning. Entered without any difficulties, collected our bags and bought tickets for the bus into Paris. Had to wait 45 minutes for the bus; the driver said traffic was very heavy; and to prove his point it took us nearly an hour and a half to get to downtown Paris at the only stop for this bus which is at the opera. From there we caught a taxi to the Gare de Bercy and were able to purchase tickets for a direct train to Auxerre.

After dragging our bags from the train station to the marina we were able to get on board with the hidden key and found everything to be just right. The bilge was dry, the batteries had a good charge, and everything else looked real good. It always takes time to get everything undone and put back where things belong. Did not want to put too much on the cabin roof as this is where I was to start painting. 

So it was off to the hardware store for paint and supplies and I began to work on the cabin roof. Over the winter there was another Sahara sandstorm and the boat was covered in a light brown color. It looked terrible and I thought it might be a real pain to clean up but with the pressure washer we purchased last year we had things looking better in short order. With the boat somewhat cleaner we were able to concentrate on the cabin roof and sides and began to prep them for painting. 

Of course we did a few other things as well. Marianne was quick to get back into town and to visit the various bookstores that she now knows quite well. We had an interesting dinner and a visit with a waiter at a restaurant. He read us the riot act as we took an outside table that was obviously ready for diners. And the meal wasn’t all that good. 

Marianne‘s birthday was coming up on June 8 and she did not know that her brother and our sister in law were going to make a surprise appearance the day before, driving all the way from Brussels. So on the seventh with the secret still a secret, Philippe and Monique arrived and we were able to surprise Marianne who was below. 

We spent a day with them and did some traveling to the small town of Chablis where we did a wine cellar tour and bought a few things. That evening we came back to town and had another dinner with the family. It is always good to see these people because they are so nice and full of interesting conversation. I should mention that Philippe ran me around town to get a battery for the generator and a small battery tender. Thanks. 

I am always a little apprehensive about taking the boat out the first time. You never know what might happen or what I might forget to do. But with a little help from other boater friends we were able to leave the wall with a nice spring off of a line and we left Auxerre for the basin at Migennes. This is where we are now as I dictate this addition to the blog. We are tied up with people we were near in Auxerre and there is also another friend who may be joining us tomorrow. 

Everything on the boat is working great. However I am having trouble with the camera system and the GPS system for the navigation set-up we have. The camera problem seems to be a “no go” and I have ordered a replacement control box for this from our regular camera supplier in New York City. I could have purchased something similar here in France but the likelihood of our cameras working with that are near zero. So having to pay for the replacement part plus shipping and import duties. That’s what you get for owning a boat. The GPS problem I think is due to the upgrade this year as I can get everything to work with last year's version. The software company for this navigation tool thinks it might be something different but I think they are wrong. Still some playing around to do. 

I had a canvas cover made for the front wheel house windows. Not only does this give some privacy if we need it but it is great at stopping the sun from heating up the warehouse. We like it. 

Traveled down the Yonne River with seven plastic boats and our heavy barge in all the locks. Surprisingly, everything worked out well with my handling of the boat and no one was damaged. Now we are sitting here waiting for the camera part to arrive, maybe by this Wednesday, but I had intended to paint the boat here so that work is continuing. 

 After early morning trim painting around the windows of the cabin, Marianne and I and our friends walked to an event that was being held on the other side of town. Not all that much to it but we were able to see some things and have lunch there. And on our way back we stopped at L'Escale, a cabaret next to the building that houses the tourist office, and had a nice concert of big band music from a group of 17 instrumentalists and a very nice male vocalist. This performance center has been here going back to the 50's and many big name performers graced the stage.

Now we’re back on the boat doing more painting, waiting for the camera part, and seeing what other mischief we can get into. 

 I remind everyone that I am once again under a news blackout. The only exception will be if Putin abdicates or Russia withdraws completely. We are flying a Ukrainian flag on the boat this year and will do so until those bastards go home. Where is NATO?