Canal archive

No be yourself there is no way I’m a wine connoisseur although I like wine but for some obscure reason cannot tolerate Merlot. How about a discussion on Coca Cola v Pepsi, sugar free or full fat, to my mind (however small) an equally interesting subject. Wine is very subjective as in I like what I like and there are some I really dislike as in very dry yes sweet ohhhh no. Turn the tables on the wine snobs ask loads of questions as to why they consider a wine good, superior etc., just carry on until your board with them there are only ten of you so loads more to talk about especially if your from different countries. We had a friend who was the International representative for Taitinger Champagne the most wonderful old world gentleman he knew everything there was to know about fizz nothing at all about other wines and was the first to admit it.

For home and Europe we don’t use a TA but anything else yes although with a lot of personal research (archivists tend to be researchers). We used a TA for our six adult and one child invasion of California just before covid struck and he sorted a real conundrum with hotels around Disney, for which we shall always be grateful but we introduced him to places he’d never heard of and has since contacted us for information for other customers. We’ve traveled the world used TA’s and they’ve been there in the background and ready if required luckily so far that’s not happened. For Scenic I’ve always used the U.K. office and they’ve been brilliant. If I was travelling from the USA I’d use a TA, research, check or get someone to check social media, I’d go and see them you’ll know just by talking to them for a few minutes if you were comfortable with them. They need your business you don’t need theirs unless it’s spot-on.

Jazz is right we have traveled with Scenic pre the special meals and the introduction of them has been a real success. Table de Rive is worth it for the interest and a good place to natter about the trip. Portabellos is certainly worth it try teaming up with another couple. I’ve brought home recipes from both experiences with notes from the chef personally on two occasions, just because they highlight the wine it’s the food that they hope is the star. I haven’t been on a cruise since covid but why not talk to the Cruise Director and let him, or her know you like a real exercise they will point you in the right direction that’s what they’re there for. Yes there tours were split into at least three sections in the past I usually take the slow for photographic purposes, once we even had ‘gentle’ and ‘photo’. The wash bag is supposed to be 1kg (2.2lb) I’m pretty sure they don’t weigh them and you can squeeze in more, depending on your deck you could get two items pressed daily, although laundry is not extortionate but is quick and efficient. Its certainly not rude to decline, it’s your holiday but why not go it’s another experience go for it and really enjoy it’s a super cruise.

Now that is way older than the canal I research how interesting.

This is completely wrong but I will have a go the Maas & the Waal.

Thank you dc1990 very interesting we’re off with Scenic in a few weeks time first time since a year before Covid, we were in the States before everything was closed down. It will be interesting to work with the changes. I know you had problems with Scenics tech challenges they weren’t so bad here. When I booked with Scenic office in the U.K. they explained about the paperless information which has worked very well and in very good time so we’ve had plenty of time to sort a timing issue with the chauffeur company out. I must admit to have had no problem with Scenics slow working groups, I use them for photography ease. We’ve had a few poor tour guides but have just made our feeling known. I’m a little concerned about unsecured Wi-Fi.

Very new and looks very interesting.

Stargazing wonderful idea needs some thinking about. We’ve just stayed in a part of Wales that is a designated dark sky reserve so pretty interesting. It would seem useless though near a town or city hope it worked then maybe other companies might try it.

On one of our cruises we visited Hockenheim, fantastic day - open track day for the motorbike boys and it drizzled (what fun) round the museum there and then our coach driver found a corner just off the normal track where the boys were ‘drifting’ so on we got and off we went, late back to the boat but certainly well worth it.

It might help the contributors how to answer if we knew which line you first travelled with.

Goodwoods absolute fun but you need more than one pair of eyes. My next door neighbour took his TVR to a meet by the seaside yesterday and my brother in law caused twitching curtains last week by turning up in his Mustang I’ve not got behind the wheel yet!

Have just returned from the heights of Wales where we took a trip on the narrow gauge Brecon Mountain Railway pulled by this little beauty built in Philadelphia USA beautiful scenery and weather. CPT nor Potsdam ether mind you he did have a large nose to put out of joint!

Sorry but regardless of the name and nationality a ship, boat or vessel it is still a she. ************ the French!

I absolutely love the expression ‘SwansView’ for the lower deck cabins on narrowboats we have a Swans Hatch usually opposite the galley, so washing up, turn round and there’s a swan watching you. Usually wanting to be fed.

JoyMBee wow they’re getting very intense here, I can understand why as we are all really river cruise fans (fanatics). For your first river cruise step back, decide if you want active or more laid back, old history or newer, you could go to the extent of a pro’s and con’s list. Or make a list take a pin blindfold yourself stick in the pin and go for it. We went on our first cruise after seeing an advert in a Sunday newspaper we’re just about to go on our tenth so just a word of warning it’s addictive. Whatever you choose enjoy.

Sorry for butting in but on another cruise I’m sure with friends you will view it through different eyes and I strongly suspect Uniworld has done a few tweaks here and there. Cruising cash is never wasted.

Flipin eck (Londoner toned down expletive) now that’s a ripple effect magnified, wow.

Luckily not there just yet ha ha, these engineers can’t sort everything. I changed fix for sort as most chunkier and non chunkier ladies I know are quite happy as we reach our golden age.

Just an idea and this happens with boats and locks on our admittedly older system, ships are a bit like us ladies and can spread with age, just a tad but it could make all the difference. Or maybe a bit off the wall if the lock has been recently worked on it could have ended up ever so slightly narrower.

Thank you Notamermaid very interesting for my DH he worked for Agfa for many years.

twototravel you must be in marketing I doubt very much that Viking would put themselves in the costlier class as they pride themselves in being up market but not costly.

JoyMBee I suspect you know understand one thing about river cruising - it’s addictive - our first was eight days and my husband of all people decided it wasn’t long enough so on the 1st of July we’re off on our 10th it would of been more if Covid hadn’t hit. It might be an idea to do an I want chart and either wonder through the websites or take it to your TA. We’ve so far always traveled with Scenic, Emeralds sister company but most companies come up on these boards with decent reviews. So now you have to do the work for your cruise, which is usually a part of the fun. Keep us informed on how you get on.

Yes and I feel a few shopping trips will be needed just to ensure I’m clothed correctly. We’re off to the wilds of the Brecon Beacons in Wales en famaly this weekend (there is no way I can pronounce the new name for it. Hopefully the weather will be clear as it’s a designated dark sky reserve. This is a canal hill.

Unless there is a flight of locks and I know of non on the Rhine if your bike tour follows the river it will be flat and very pretty.

Fingers crossed enjoy your cruise.