Canal archive

On one of our cruises for the first at least four days we were up and out by just after 8am you can imagine the moaning and groaning although we all went along with it and in any case we’re all ‘ha ha’ in the same boat at the next port talk our next start wasn’t until 10.30 I’ve never heard a boatload of - paying quite a lot passengers - cheer quite so much. Evidently it just happened that the majority of us wanted to take part in all of the excursions that meant starting early, an absolute headache for our very competent Cruise Director. Our only lengthier coach journey was to Salamanca- worth every mile, the most beautiful city, I’d go again just for this experience.

Looks like they’re trying and I think still a woman at the helm, with a bit of effort and good will could be a happy merger. There seem to be some doubts about the British passport side of things well all I can say is about 2022 when we took the car and still had to prove Covid credentials, we sailed through no problem. It is the way to travel between Europe and the U.K. I think the only time I would quibble with is Avignon to St Pancras - no passport control (pre covid) at Avignon so we had to stop at Lille get off go through control and return to our seats don’t know what’s happening now. I do know we could get on the first Eurostar from St Pancras travel to Marseille have a superb French lunch back on board and return to the U.K. in one day, I’ll let you know when we do it, any recommendations for the meal.

You’ll need to head for a city that links with the Eurostar, Paris Gare du Nord or Brussels or Amsterdam. It’s that old chestnut sorry from the Eurostar you really cannot see the fish. 🧜

Or should I say old rock but still cutting the mustard.

I’ve never heard of one but then I’ve yet to hear of water level challenges with the Douro.

I didn’t notice any lengthier bus excursions don’t forget Portugal is a fairly small country. A lot smaller than the U.K. and about 4 times smaller than California.

We’re actually having our luggage couriered this year and that makes you think. It’s already gone and would you believe it my case weighs less than it ever has.

Bit of real rock tonight Guns & Roses

Relax and enjoy, the vessels are not large more compact and bijou than a sea cruise vessel, easy to find your way around, you’ll soon get to recognise your fellow travellers and the crew. If you have a question about anything ask at reception, usually the font of all knowledge. I usually end up with a chart listing days a note of anything going on, on those days and then I work out what is required clothing wise. We’re off on the Seine for 11 days four pairs of trousers suitable for evening and five tops so mix and match plus a couple of wraps invaluable for chilly air con restaurants and that evening drink on the sun deck. I’ve done similar with daytime stuff and I can get through without wearing the same outfit twice. Have a great time.

You’ll love it maybe a slightly gentler pace than most river cruises and I’m pretty sure this is the Portuguese way of doing things. One Sunday we couldn’t work out why dinner service was a little off kilter it turned out one of our waiters had a raging tooth ache the only dentist open was in Porto and we were nearly as far away as we could be, so a taxi was called to take him there. Service was a tad slow but hey ho - it was slightly worrying (or was it) the number of glasses on our table. So we as a table said to the serving team don’t worry about just keep the wine flowing and sort everyone else out. Super crew so worried about the guy and his tooth who returned to work the next afternoon slightly the worse for wear.

Glastonbury weekend anyone going, anyone been? I’m a bit past it now and it’s so huge but at least some of the music is still good.

Understand what you mean I do exactly the same on Scenic as I’m usually up and about before our butler and it saves a knock on the door to wake up DH. I can then sit on the sun deck, weather permitting, with my camera, you get to talk to the crew as well.

Jazz I’m pretty sure you won’t be bored you may decide to take a day out to catch yourself up which we did and even on board they brought in experts to give a taste of various crafts and a delve into Portuguese history etc now that was fascinating, well it was for me. One of our Port (as in drink not mooring up) tastings, they are very inventive with their national drink by the way, we were amongst the first to try Pink Port absolutely excellent straight from the fridge - you’ve guessed it - on the sun deck. They do have some very tasty interesting sweet cakes as well.

I agree driving okay you may see more and I only live a hop skip and jump away and have driven several times through Portugal and Spain but don’t knock a Douro cruise we had a wonderful time. The Portuguese are really friendly and eager to show off their rather nice country. The food is interesting and different the Port is devine and the wine superb. Their architecture is different and woodwork and tiles magnificent. Enjoy its a country well worth visiting.

Yup I realised there was something drastically wrong and forgot to sort it when daughter rang. My aged brain still thinks in imperial then the conversions don’t go well. So a huge thank you.

Have just heard from my eldest daughter a couple of days ago they had a storm 35cms in 20 minutes now we need a few of them across Europe.

Okay just woken up the tags are just very small and less technical versions of what is on board each vessel so we can use - Marine Traffic - Vessel Finder etc other companies are available, bingo!

You hear tales similar to yours many times so it begs the question why - is there logic - in the name. Although in my admittedly younger (a long time ago) days I used to wonder what on earth a logistics company was all about.

Hope not what Notamermaid needs it for is a future superdooper river cruise on an unknown river, what a super learning curve.

Love the bouncy gangways etc and DH absolutely hates anything like that. Scenic crews are a bit like that grab the luggage it’s usually a case of all dive in, no time to even raise an eyebrow on weight etc., All the crew, hotel, maritime or restaurant want is to get everyone safely stowed in their respective cabins or waiting in the lounge drink in hand getting to know there fellow traveler's. Arrivals and departures are a hiccup in their weekly/biweekly routine, if they are picking up on the minutiae of small print there is a fussy manager somewhere on board so beware.

I won’t even mention ‘impending doom’ to DH but he did appreciate the link, thank you. You will I am sure be pleased to know that both suitcases have arrived at our courier’s base the further away they get the more in sinc they are. Our grandson seems to think it’s a cool bit of kit mainly because they are so small.

Well done for being so tenacious even though the outcome was not this time in your favour. 🧐

Actually I worded that incorrectly, I was trying to say that there are loads more Americans (I must admit I don’t know if Canadians have to pay a year out for a Viking cabin) so as Viking has loads more boats the Americans can get whatever cabin they want but have to fork out a year before for the privilege. I’m most probably completely incorrect and I’m not being snidey about Viking as I’ve never traveled with them but many of my friends have or Americans as I wouldn’t return again and again to your wonderful country for holidays.

I think I’ve got it - I really could not understand the American acceptance of 12 month payment in full now I think I do. Viking are the only river cruise company with the ability for you to get your cabin of choice basically at any one time and it’s because they have so many vessels. It’s the ‘price you pay’ and someone at Viking has realised this. They’ve beaten you at your own game ‘marketing’ I’m not knocking you, I’ve been married to a man who’s been in that business for many many years. One of my great joys sitting with a group of them ‘chewing the cud’ Brits and Americans yeah believe it or not wonderful times. Viking have hit the nail on the head - more is ……………. and in this instance works.

Now you do know that myth about why the 2CV Deaux chauavx was built, so that a French farmer could take his wife to church in comfort and wearing a hat and to deliver eggs over a plowed field without breaking them, not necessarily at the same time, wrong. It was built to enable the French farmer to take his lady friend across the aforesaid ploughed field whilst opening a bottle of wine and pouring a glass full without spilling a drop. Told to me by a rather dishy Frenchman when he discovered I’d driven one for many years - a deaux chauavx I mean. I’ve only driven a Beetle once strange car.