After a hectic day we set off for the ld lines 11pm sailing.
The boat serves up its usual heady cocktail of a passenger list. Burly eastern European, swarthy Spanish, beer
bellied English and under sprayed arm pitted French truckers, groups of north
face fleeced geography teachers on yet another field trip, well heeled retired
Francophiles returning to their half finished converted barn project with a
French plated range rover loaded to the gunnels with fence panels and proper toilet
cisterns. The caravan owners somehow looking a tad smug at having their alpine
sprints luxuriously equipped “we`ve even got our own microwave” touring homes
precariously hanging on to their Volvo estates every turn in tow.
And, the Lowmans
heading back to Doucette for another, hopefully glorious 6 months on the
waterways of France.
After a swift brace of stellas, Collette suggested we would
be better off sleeping on a 2 inch thick foam mat in the kids play area.
8 hours later with barely 2 hours sleep tucked away a bleary
eyed skipper rumbled up the ramp of the norman voyager with murmurings reference
the wise decision on sleeping arrangements drifting towards the passenger seat.
We were at least greeted by blue skies and a bloody great round yellow thing
which it seemed so long since we had seen, we had quite forgotten the name of
it, ah it was good to be back in France!
In no hurry, we decided to enjoy the journey by avoiding the
motorways. This proved to be a rather good decision. Although an hour longer,
we travelled following the banks of the seine bringing back memories of towns
and villages visited on our first French trip on Angeline. We passed the extraordinary
palace of Versailles, a breathtaking entrance cementing our plans to return for
a proper visit later this year. I noted the throng of tourists were all dressed
in summer garb, i noted the outside temperature display on the car, 26 degrees,
ah it was really very good to be back in France!
As we approached Migennes I suddenly became impatient to see
Doucette and get started on all that work. The problem with the port shaft was
playing on my mind and the list of other jobs was endless. I was already
planning a priority list as we pulled into the familiar gates of Evans Marine
International and pulled up alongside our beauty.
After warm greetings with Simon roger and mark, the team at
Evans, we set about removing the covers, no mean feat in this glorious heat. I loved
the feeling of sweat running down the back of my neck. Next job was also a
biggy, unloading the car and Collettes clothes. The crew had taken no chances
and had packed for every conceivable situation, marvellous!
We settled down to our first evening drink huddled in a jumble
of bags, boxes and cases deliriously happy to be back at Doucette, our home for
the next six wonderfully anticipated months on the waterways of France.
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