Whitstable and France

I’ve had a great couple of weeks since I last posted.

Peter had a job doing some engineering work on a live-on barge and I was invited along to join the trip. We had to move the barge from Nemour just south of Paris to Auxerre, its winter mooring. Pete does the work at the various stops and I just enjoy the ride, help out a bit on board, get to do a bit of steering and generally lounge about. In the evening we ate delicious food cooked by the owners and played cards, drank wine and one night went out for a meal at Joigny.

I’d had a horrible chest infection coming on which exacerbates my asthma so I was feeling pretty ropey at the start of the trip but a few days of having to do very little and fresh air has really sorted me out and I feel almost fully recovered now – though the asthma is a constant nuisance it’s tons better than before the trip.

We broke the outward journey at my daughter’s in Whitstable which was just lovely then took the early morning Norfolk Line ferry from Dover to Dunkerque. We went from the Loigne, to the Seine to the Yonne in four or five days staying at lovely overnight moorings en route. It was crisp and cold in the mornings but sunny and almost warm in the day. Here’s a link to loads of photos if you’re interested!

Click This Link for More PHOTOS

Stratford On Avon

I had a friend to stay this weekend and I took her to Stratford on Avon as it’s only half an hour from here.

We visited Shakespeare’s Birthplace and wandered around admiring the impressive half-timbered buildings. It was a cold day which cast a bit of a gloom on the day and I was slightly under-whelmed by various aspects – especially that you could only buy a “entry to all houses” ticket (a hefty £12.95 each) and no possibility of buying just one ticket per property. I don’t know about you, but I can’t do four houses on the trot! No thanks – just too much. OK the ticket’s valid for a year so I can go back and see the others and use the ticket but I’d have preferred the choice thanks very much!!!

Anyway – it was a nice weekend and I’ve been practicing my new songs getting ready for a new round of recording. We’re off to Bristol this week for my birthday and going out for a meal with friends and family on Thursday so I’m looking forward to that.

Link To More Pics

Late Night Ramblings

I suppose I should be in bed having an early night but I felt like writing few words first.

It’s been a good couple of weeks with my creative muse flowing again, all going well on the home front and nice family things to look forward to.

I’ve booked my flights to The Gambia in January for 5 weeks which I’m really excited about – lots of friends I’ve missed to see again and play music with as well as two festivals (Kartong and Dombondir) to help organise.

After that next year we’re moving back to Bristol – I’ve loved it here but the vibrant life of the city beckons.

Now, I really am going to bed now – night night for now!