Although we planned our departure from Dunkerque in the morning true to form, we were delayed again. The sea lock to the canal didn’t open until 4.00pm, so we filled our time with a stroll to the city centre followed by a thorough wash for the boat. The wind was strengthening throughout the day, and… Read more

At last we have completed the journey across the channel to France. Yes it has been a long time coming but all the better for the wait. After spending a few days in Chatham, visiting the maritime museum, which were the naval docks yards established over 400 years ago and the gin distillery, established 4… Read more

It was with great excitement that we approached Monday 27th and our planned departure from the UK. This journey had been a long time in the making and at last we hoped we would be fulfilling our dreams of cruising the European canals on our own boat. Andy Soper from the Dutch Barge Association, who… Read more

We have enjoyed our boating experiences on the Thames but as the saying goes all good things must come to an end, and new adventures await across the Channel. We travelled up to Oxford with Helen stopping at our favourite moorings, in Sonning, (this is where George Cluney lives, but he wasn’t home), Wallingford and… Read more

After spending the six months of summer in Melbourne we are returning to Joie de Vivre and the Thames. Plans are to cruise the Thames for a few weeks before crossing the Channel to Europe. On the way we stopped off in Sri Lanka for a fabulous birthday party on the beach at Galle, narrowly… Read more

So many classic stories that involve the Thames as a backdrop. I hope my merger offerings do not offend! We stayed on the river below Henley for a few days,. This stay gave me an opportunity to wander through Hampton Court Palace and Windsor castle. Early September in the UK sees alot less tourists so… Read more

  I was going to title my next blog entry ‘From Oxford to the Sea’, but…..I will start this saga from the beginning. We made it up to Oxford and moored below Follys Bridge for two nights. Then we turned around and meandered down the river, stopping for two nights at Wallingford, then Henley and… Read more

Nearly 2 weeks on the water and we have slipped into a comfortable pattern. After showers I get breakfast, and then a quick tidy up and it’s out on the river, Peter driving (though I am getting a few training goes at it) and me navigating. Cafe lattes late morning and lunch on the go… Read more

A final few days of provisioning the boat we were off for a 2 sojourn in the Cotswolds. Pretty villages, a church with Anne Boleyn’s christening cup and Roman ruins keep us  entertained until the Wednesday morning and our launch. Once we saw her kiss the water it was off to Waitrose for the final… Read more

From Ploce to Stari Grad, not a breath of wind, clear sunny skies and a swim stop along the way to immerse ourselves in the sparkling clear waters of the Adriatic. Lying on a lounge on the back deck, reading a book I can’t remember when life has been so relaxing. Stari Grad is a… Read more