Barge Date:  07-05-2021

On the Move

We have made the first leg of this year's travels.  Departed Auxonne with a little help from the captain using his little boat as a tug. The wind was very strong all day and this would be the first of two assists we would need to get through the day.

Made a few mistakes as we progressed. For our first lock both Marianne and I forgot to note on which side of the lock the signal mechanism was located. With a bit of pushing we were able to reach the metal rods that control the filling or emptying of the lock. Travel on the Petite Saone was a pleasure.  Passed a few rental boats and some fishermen.

We reached Saint Jean de Losne in just a few hours. Here we were hoping to have some metal work done on our rails around the boat.  We have four bollards at various locations that are under the rail. When not careful the line you are working ends up going  over the rail. I want to cut out a short section - 5 or 6 cm -  so the line will pass through the rail. We were told by H2O that this is a quick job and we would be on our way by Wednesday morning.  After some miscues on where to tie up we found our-selves between two boats that H2O is working on. I hope they are true to their word.

Had two nice meals in town.

Tuesday  noon and no one has approached the boat to take a look.  Marianne did speak to a worker  inspecting the boat next to us so maybe that will help.

Walked around the work basin to see what is here.  Five large hotel boats are tied up or out of the water. Business must be zero. The boat pictured below has a history of unfortunate events.  Several months ago she tipped over. Took a lot of work to get her back up.  Not sure the owner knows what has happened. Signs of a fire somewhere in the past.

 

Around the towns everyone is wearing masks in the stores and restaurant (until food arrives). The weather continues to be unkind.  Today grey skies and rain off and on; temperatures in the high 60s.

And as I type the work on the railings begins.

 

Barge Date:  07-04-2021

Life in Auxonne

 We made it to France.  Seems so easy now but that is because there was almost no interest in COVID  and if we had been vaccinated. On leaving, Delta asked almost no questions and at the border booth at the airport they just asked to see Tim's passport (Marianne, in the EU line, had to show her vaccination card).  One night at our hotel near the Gare de Lyon to rest up then the TGV to Dijon where we took  the local train to Auxonne.

The boat looked terrible on the outside but dry as a bone inside.  I have been able to get all the various systems working so we have toilets, electric, gas, etc. The only problem has been engine related.  The 2 batteries were DOA.  A boater down the pontoon gave us the name of the vendor he was using and our 2 new batteries and his 1 were delivered.  We insisted when we  purchased over the phone that they needed to take out the old and put in the new. No problem, they said. This might have been easy had we a better place to put the batteries but no, it is down in the engine room then back on a shelf; no standing room.  The friendly Frenchman who delivered the batteries came alone. He and I dropped the heavy batteries onto a board, slid them over, then had to lift them up.  Not work for an old man.

Changed all fuel filters and water separator but had trouble getting fuel to the last filter. Left it alone overnight and the fuel had made it. Engine caught quickly with new batteries but then died out. Mentioned this to the marina captain and he knew the problem immediately. He got his tools and came over and showed me where to let even more air out of the delivery route to the cylinders.  I learned something. Now everything is working except the horn.  Found a wasp nest in trumpet and cleaned it out. I am still trying to get it going.

Was concerned that the fuel might have water or bugs in it.  Drew some fuel out of the sumps on each fuel tank and it looked like virgin olive oil.  Perfect.

Boater down the way let me use his electric power washer.  Had a lot of power and I was surprised how well it worked so I bought one.  Great at stripping loose paint. But the exterior paint looks old and weathered.  Will need to do some work.  The deck paint is peeling badly but I will not attempt any work on it other than to pressure wash the loose stuff.  Wood on wheelhouse is looking bad.

Was able to get rid of the dingy.  Looked good in red on the cabin roof but holes were a problem.  Now we have a more sleek look.

All the little do-dads I have made for the boat are being used and making everything better looking and doing what they were made to do.

The marina is a bit dead. Other than the people on rented boats coming in for the night just a few other occupied boats. The weather has been off and on rain and too cold for us. Rich knew we were in France and gave us a call. Have spoken with the kids. Had a visit with Lon and Pat on C.A.R.I.B (Chill And Relax It's Bargetime)  They live in St  Pete, Fl so not far away. They have departed to Belgium - if they can get in - and Holland. 

This being July 4 we are waiting for fireworks.  May have to wait until July 14.

Then on the 5th we start the summer tour.

 

 

 

 Barge Date:  06-19-2021

2021 Travel to Begin June 24

We have our tickets and will depart for France on June 24 using the normal route through Atlanta to Paris. If it is Atlanta it is Delta.

I am taking my usual collection of items I have assembled or constructed that will make life on the barge more attractive.  Will post as I get them in place on the barge.

Going back with a bit of trepidation. We departed last from France in August 2019.  While the boat is still afloat there may well be hidden problems that we will only discover once we go on board.  Will the batteries be at full charge? Will the fuel be normal and not have water and diesel bugs in it? Has the water system escaped any damage from cold weather?  What does the deck look like? The varnish? The paint? And more that I am not even considering now.

It may well take more than a week to get underway. If the batteries are OK and can start the engine then the biggest concern will be the diesel.  Will undertake some steps to see what I can find out.  Will drain the sludge from the tanks and this may give some clue.  Is there water?  The tanks were topped off as we departed but some moisture always gets in. The question is how much.  Then there are diesel bugs.  These are small microbes that can infest fuel and seem to become obvious at the worst possible moment. I am not aware of any history on the boat and we buy our fuel from suppliers that don't let the product get old; this should help.

But we will need to go out on the river for some distance at the beginning of our trip and I don't want to get into a situation of being dead in the water and with a river current.

Will spend a night in Paris to get our clocks reworked.  We arrive at 8am and hope to be at a hotel near the Gare de Lyon by 11am.  Maybe take a nap then walk out along the river and visit the marina at the Arsenal where we hope to stop over some day.  Then on the fast train to Dijon and a local to Auxonne.

What will I enjoy most on return?  Since I turn off news it is not having news injected into my life.

 

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.

 Barge Date:  02-05-2021

2021 ????????

Is there progress? Some.

On January 18 we were able to get a shot of the vaccine.  Great.  Hope they have more in three weeks. Called for an appointment and got it but when we arrived it seemed that anyone who would think to could just walk in, fill out a form and then roll up their sleeve.  Maybe I missed something.  Anyway, easy for us and after real concerns that maybe no one was working on this final step everything kind of fell into place. So thanks to the people at the hospital.  I took this picture as proof I was there.

Updated the navigation software. Proof that I expect to be let into France some time this year. But there should be real concerns. Yes, I have the vaccine. But will France be under control by April, May, June, July or August?  Must they deem that the US is under control? Should it be just enough to show that I have the vaccine? With their many lock-downs, curfews and intra-departmental restrictions would they allow an American to say "I am no problem" and then leave me alone? Probably not. So let's hope France gets it together and they once again allow tourism to take place.

Had the granddaughter with us for 4 weeks.  Yes, 4 weeks. A very nice experience.  Andrew worked from our office so not a case of vacation days.  Working hard for the company's first launch to the moon some time this year.

Could see changes in Anni taking place over this time period. She motors around very well, loves books, played with the many things she received for Xmas.  Took about 2 weeks to get her to come to me unassisted but worth the wait. She says I am her favorite. My name has been shorten to just Papa as she tries to say it; sounds like pop sounds; pop, pop.

Had a small gazebo built and delivered. Put it out by the koi pond.  A nice addition. When this France thing ends some day I can waste some hours tucked inside, away from the bugs, to listen to the water falls at the pond.

 Barge Date:  12-08-2020

2020 is a Bust

Life’s a bitch.  To think I was a week from buying tickets to France. I had already paid for the waterways pass.  Paid for medical insurance the visa required. Yes, I already had my visa. And here I am in December, stuck at home, laying low, being safe.  Who could have predicted all of this?

I could continue to bitch but at this point it is a lost cause.  I am in line already to get the first vaccine offered.  Don’t get in my way. Being in the “at risk” group has its perks. So if there is a plan it is to get the vaccine, hope it works, hope that France thinks it works, and visas will be issued normally.  We will travel as soon as we can.

Good news about the vaccines; 95% effective.  Just hope that they can get them out and about soon.

The barge has been in Auxonne for 15 months, tied up in the marina.  Just floating there.  I check on it regularly; in the daylight hours to do a visual inspection and at night to make sure electric from shore is connected.  I can see the exterior is getting dirty but other than that it look OK.  What about the inside?  Through the DBA membership I am having a fellow bargee go onboard and take a look.  Hope to have his report soon.  Other than that it is what it is. Nothing I can do unless it begins to sink.

So on the home front life goes on.  LiQiong was in China during their lockdown.  She spent the better part of 2 months in her apartment.  She had food brought in - like room service, it seems. She is back home after first locking herself down for 14 days with a friend. Looking at graduate schools.

Jinglei has been in Columbus, GA for most of the time period, first working for the YMCA in a daycare/camp program they offered to families working in healthcare. At some point she caught the virus and after some early tears locked herself down.  Symptom were mild and she is back at work and school. She is doing the university mostly by computer.

The kids up north have been working at home and everyone seems to like this option.  Seem to be adhering to the rules.

Andrew, Christina and Anni came for a long visit at Christmas and then again this summer for 3 weeks. Couple this with our visit to them last Fall and we have been able to see the growth of Anni. Amazing. She is now on 2 legs and motoring about the home.  To date we have never seen her have an emotional meltdown.  Happy all the time. We think she has a good imprint of our faces so we are happy to do FaceTime with her.

Marianne and I made a road trip to visit them this summer, pulling a U-Haul to Pittsburgh to carry a large china hutch for Andrew and Christina. The hutch was my Fall, ’19 project. Spent a few days with them then drove on to NY to see Alienor, Trevor and old friends nearby.  Everyone had been following safe practices and all went well.  Delivered a small table to Alienor and Trevor.

So what does a guy do in a curtailed year?

Been catching up on all the work I have not done the past 3 summers we were in Europe. Cutting, trimming, raking, painting, woodworking, room conversions, etc.  Added a new garden shed and gazebo to the back side of the property; purchased, not built here. New gravel for the driveway. Hope to tackle more inside work on the house this winter; new trim and paint.  Happy with the outcome of a slab of wood I turned into a desk for Marianne’s new office.  Transformed a bedroom into an office.

Look for a post early in 2021.  Stay safe.
 

Barge Date:  03-11-2020

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