June 2020

Well, what a year. I apologise to those of you who were following regularly: between website/hosting updates, and plain laziness on my part, I clearly abandoned the blog for a year. BUT, I’m back and will try and post regularly.
Anyway, the present situation. Since I finished the Rhine-au-Rhone canal, last June, I toured through central France for a while, then down the Saone/Rhone rivers, across southern France next to the Mediterranean Sea, then up the Canal du Midi to Toulouse, where I spent a (very) enlongated winter, experiencing the ‘confinement’ of France in the Port St. Sauveur, in Toulouse. It has been an exceptional time. I was very fortunate to have selected- and been accepted- in Toulouse, especially during the confinement. There are 4 other live-aboard people in this marina, and we had a security fence around, and so were allowed to meet each other during the confinement period (while maintaining 2m separation at all times). I spent at least 2h each day with a French course (I am on day 109 in a row without missing). I think I have improved somewhat, especially in reading, though listening is still difficult. One of the other fellows (Arthur) is a master mariner, so he taught two of us a celestial navigation course, and how to use a sextant. All very supportive and certainly prevented being overcome with the isolation.
And now, I am off on my travels for this year, as of tomorrow morning.
Please feel free to follow along, to post comments, and questions. Most posts will include photos of the wonderful French country.
Thanks for your patience and for following me.