Canal archive

Soooooo European don’t think us straight laced English will be the same humm or would they?

They do come in useful for towing the huge floats in the 8 Westcountry carnivals every November.

There are never problems only challenges except some are much bigger than others. Have a great cruise it’s a good one.

The Thames in London froze regularly during the 17th & 18th century in 1607 they started the Frost Fair, tents, stalls, bowling etc. The last time the Thames completely froze was said to be 1814. Although I couldn’t find out if a volcano was involved but I wouldn’t be surprised. Thanks Notamermaid for that interesting titbit of info, interesting.

The groups are never large but we’ve been the only couple in the past so a car a guide and a trainee guide and us a super day. They also usually have three different walking groups as I take far to many photographs I always join the gentle walking group.

Which cruise company? Please

Living in Wiltshire we are very used to tractors but come harvest time add the combine harvesters and the huge grain lorry’s through narrow country lanes it’s chaos.

One of the reasons I’ve been able to double up on cruises with Scenic is that they change, swap or add tours year to year.

No I meant what showed up in your picture.

The scariest strike I have ever encountered was a lorry drivers one in France, were crawling along on a motorway travelling west and there is no traffic visible in the opposite lane until there appeared 4 lorry’s across the lanes followed by four more and so on for some time travelling extremely slowly. Those lorry’s were just a little scary. Most countries strike but the French do seem to be quite good at it their farmers are also striking at the moment.

According to the internet? Torsten’s portfolio has dropped from 6.5b to 1.5b is this the reason?

The Eiffel Tower is closed! Some kind of upset, the unions consider the operators aren’t doing a good enough job. Most probably making the most of the upcoming Olympics, just a heads up if your on a early Seine cruise.

‘Watch that IPO space! Plus the recent announcement of ten more river cruise vessels.

Yup noticed! that several times one of our bar staff confidently stated - oh that’s a French thing.

What - my beautiful Du Cheveux was my car of choice for many years a cream & maroon Dolly aka Rhubarb & Custard. Eventually my DH (after I’d picked him up from Heathrow one day) decided it was definitely not safe driving and bought me a double cab Toyota Pick up truck - basically from the sublime to the ridiculous, although another fun vehicle to drive. P. S. The 2CV car salesman explained the gear shifting as ‘tromboning’!

Gone fishin Garonne style. Macaron anyone? Okay yes this was a tad steep but the helpful centre rail was sooooo useful.

My first introduction to Paris traffic was taking a really wrong turning and ending up going round the Arc de Triomphe on our scooters, so we went round twice then carried on to Spain. French traffic is even worse now it’s so heavy it doesn’t move much.

Walk the top part of the Champs Elysees slowly towards the ‘Arc’ and take in the atmosphere (ignore the cars). On a Sunday look out for the little markets food or flea, good fun and lots of food tasters. Relax and enjoy don’t rush and go with the flow. Glad you’re now nearly there.

But what is more planet cherishing - paper money = trees, and the gunk that goes into printing, metal money well that’s not exactly eco friendly, and the rate we’re all using plastic these days, I know it’s only a little oblong but they add up in more ways than one.

So I asked the question and the reply was - they have cancelled the OBC in line with their ‘Cherish the Planet Initiative’. That gets me really thinking and not that good thoughts actually.

Wow don’t shout to much or our secret - shhhh Moselle will become as busy as the rest but your all right an absolutely beautiful piece of water.

Vienna is one of the easiest cities to get around it has an inner and outer tram circle buy your ticket and jump on and off to your hearts content. The S/Palace is huge you need time to make the most of it. Don’t miss trying the real Sachertorte and Viennese coffee. If you’re offered an evening of dancing etc go for it a bit of bling and enjoy. If you’re going in the colder time of year beware of the gluhwein it’s actually quite potent. Enjoy.

I’ve just checked on the U.K. website and it’s showing that it is still available here. Look under frequently asked questions - Scenic Club section.

Goldenrosegags thank you so much for introducing this subject, I find myself agreeing with so many of the answers and helpful hints. I’ve realised that especially on a full cruising day admittedly not that many on the rivers I could sit in the lounge with a book, my earbuds in so that the phone comes to life when we pass something interesting a nod to another passing passenger if required, coffee tea or other drink whenever required and be completely in my element. To think I’ve only just realised this about myself, well we live and learn because I could do this in my cabin but not all day as the steward has to do his or hers tweaks to make it presentable again.

Okay so I’m just a bit old fashioned and I’d fly BA don’t know anything about Wizzair and wouldn’t touch Ryanair with a barge pole for too many reasons. Before you decide though work out where in the Cotswolds you plan on visiting as the area as a whole now includes the city of Bath and altogether is not a small area for one day. Yes Windsor is doable in one day. Also what time of year some of the admittedly cute/pretty/charming Cotswold towns can get really packed with visitors in the summer and late spring. I’m not trying to put you off I live on the edge of the Cotswolds it is a beautiful area, Windsor is Windsor is Windsor one of my old stomping grounds as a youngster pretty, great castle beautiful park with loads of wildlife. Think a bit like this if you were me flying into Washington and had two days to play with where would you go?