Author Archives: Ed Mortimer

About Ed Mortimer

I'm a retired school teacher, now living on my Dutch cruiser in France. I'm touring as much of the canals and river systems as I can. This blog describes what I do and where I've been. I did spend 5 years on first a narrowboat, and then this boat, in Britain.

Sept 15

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Verdun We travelled further upstream on the Meuse, with many of the river meanders cut-off by canalized sections. The river flow is very slow at this time, so going upstream is not an issue. The river valley alternates between high … Continue reading →

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Sept 9

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Belgium and then France The Meuse. An historic route from eastern France to the sea, the Meuse is a most interesting waterway. We traveled south, up the Meuse to a spectacular mooring in Dinant, sandwiched in a narrow valley, overlooked … Continue reading →

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August 31

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Belgium We have toured from our entry at Antoing (Perrones), across the southern part of the province of Wallonie. After the huge locks at Perrones, we moored for the night beside another huge lock on a disused side canal, the … Continue reading →

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Aug 26

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Yeah! I am now officially on the way to wandering about the continent. My friends, Pat and Kerry joined me in Douai, and we spent a day going to Amiens and exploring there. The cathedral was awesome, and we also … Continue reading →

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Aug 19

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Hi, After a completely frustrating month and ($$$), I am back being a wandering Canuck!. I’ve left Dunkerque, where they replaced a bunch of stuff in the drive train (stern gland, main thrust bearing) , and am now, hopefully, really … Continue reading →

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Aug 4

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Well, July has been lovely weather, and France has lots to offer, but my world has been rather smaller than anticipated. I have another mechanical problem, this time with the stern gland (for non-boating people, this is where the drive … Continue reading →

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July 6

Posted on July 7, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

The official end of my British explorations by boat. I arrived in Shotley Marina, on a peninsula between Felixstowe’s container port, and Harwich’s ferry terminal, which is the site of the former boy sailor’s training school, called HMS Ganges. More … Continue reading →

Posted in adventures afield, canal experiences, Coastal Britain | 2 Comments

July 1 Canada Day

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Made the trek to Lowestoft, and all seems now to be well with the boat. Dealt with visa issues with the very helpful Border Force patrol boat, and contacts within British Immigration who helped solve a problem with common sense … Continue reading →

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June 26

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Onward south on the English coast. Engine cooling problems behind me, things are looking good. I enjoyed a magnificent day in Wells Next the Sea with Daniel in idyllic weather, that I hadn’t seen since last year in Wales. It … Continue reading →

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June 21

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Ed Mortimer

Howdy! I’m on the move again after the protracted repair of the cooling system while marooned in Scarborough. All is well, and I’m presently in the major fishing port of Grimsby. Things are a bit grim here in terms of … Continue reading →

Posted in adventures afield, bell ringing, Coastal Britain | 1 Comment