Canal archive

RobinMN - what no tie, so non u, one has got to keep up appearances you know. Regardless of that you are from the colonies. 🤣

Trying to track vessels at the moment is interesting as more than a few have turned off their signals but it looks like Scenic Crystal is moored up with a couple of Viking vessels and just upstream of them are two (I think) of the ex Crystal vessels. I hope they all didn’t have passengers and I’m so surprised that Scenic could get into this debacle.

If your ever travel the Orient Express keep this in mind (it happened just over 25 years ago so may not be pertinent now) your luggage allowance is very clearly laid out and does not include a full size suitcase for your stateroom. Our neighbours did not adhere to these instructions, so teeny weeny cabin plus large suitcase (there was no way the steward could dispose of it and they didn’t have a smaller bag) the walls are very, very thin, I learnt some quite ripe language. Wonderful wonderful trip, DH spent a lot of time sorting out various passengers camera and of course then their film challenges so we seemed to spend some considerable time in the bar car, happy days. Train travel is a little akin to river cruising - small cabins.

I was told some time ago that it’s to do with the difference in law between Europe & North America about the finalising of contracts. Although not sure if includes Canada.

I absolutely hate shower curtains they move and stick to your body when showering, yuk.

If I’m cruising during the summer I will take a light robe much cooler on the balcony with a glass of something special.

Kristal if your cruising on Scenic yes. Love the ‘released’.

Hmmmmm If wishes were horses …………………….

Near Dundas towards Bath there is quite a steep slope down from the road to the canal and for quite some length it is covered in wild garlic, only accessible by boat.

Well noticed, every one awake for my next boooboooo The full report of the Ever Given is an interesting watch, our new shutters were on board so their installation got set back quite a bit.

Well there’s a broad spectrum now you’ve all to get together and have a great time as you all have at least one thing in common - you chose a river cruise, enjoy!

I’m a cheapskate and get by on the for free versions, you’re right there are odd black spots and some captains switch off their locators at the oddest times and then leave them on when overwintering. Still it’s a bit of fun and it was interesting following the cargo vessel that blocked the Panama Canal.

Phew a welcome return to straight forward no nonsense reporting.

Add this one to the list you’ll be even more caught up - Vessel Finder. It gets just a bit time consuming but interesting nevertheless. Notamermaids water level info is fascinating I wish I understood it more. You’ll love your cruise I’m sure.

Scenic has always done the drop, continue and collect from a different place. I wouldn’t like to be in the marketing persons shoes who suggested an early start though. Scenic’s been caught by a triple whammy - lock maintenance, which they should have been only to aware of - strikes not necessarily aware of and I suspect the Achim definitely not aware of, has had a knock on cause, i.e. equipment and experts. Seeing how they deal with it will be interesting and a lot of that I’m sorry to say is how strong the staff on board are. Get some of those desk drivers in Switzerland on board to answer the questions. ( this is also where the boss man lives, his name is Glen Moroney. I’m big fan of Scenic but as with all companies they do fall over at times, fingers crossed this one gets sorted.

Looking at ‘Marine Traffic’ the only passenger cruise vessels ahead of you are at least two Viking boats. It looks like that beyond Nuremberg the only vessels showing are police boats. It’s showing two Scenic vessels moored in Arnhem all the rest are behind your ship. Will keep a look out and fingers crossed everything works out well for you.

Wooo are you attempting to inquire about a ladies age? 🤣

Bordeaux road bridge. Bordeaux bridge open for tall ships and sea cruise ships. The transporter bridge is fantastic but I think just a little scary.

If you want to know the layout of your chosen mode of travel ‘the man in seat 61’ is the person on line to go for, note where you want to sit then go to your choice of ticket provider and book.

Well there is one word of German that every English youngster would learn and maybe understand and that’s ‘Fhart’ a real giggle word for ever under ten. If seen on a road sign for instance could cause paroxysms of hilarity. My husband was speed taught German six weeks of a few hours one to one then telephone, of course now it would be over the internet. As he said it was restaurant German but enough to worry his German colleagues, they were quite convinced that their English counterparts could not understand them. I really don’t know why they were so worried their English was superb although the little asides to me to check that they were correct were really sweet.

I wonder if they shouted insults to each other across the river?

In Scotland there is a lock under a road they had to build a new road to a hospital and to save having a lift bridge to stop traffic the lock was put under the new road - interesting travelling through that one.

The 16 locks of Caen Hill near Devizes in Wiltshire derelict from 1952. Caen Hill restored by 1990 now a scheduled ancient monument. In the middle of the 29 locks of the Devizes flight. Hard work to go up or down and the time depends on the number and how good your crew are.

I knew there was a reason for taking notice of locks.

I’ve only ever been to one rodeo it was in San Antonio absolutely fantastic although I don’t know what was better watching the arena or the Texans both great fun but the best was Alan Jackson. Before I was not a great lover of C&W although DH always has been still now years later I still am. The horses were quite good as well.