Le Boat pt deux

Friday had arrived before we got to bed and was very much a day of quiet contemplation and reflection. It wasn't sore heads or sickness - just complete tiredness that meant the time spent motoring down to Redon was very peaceful. Poor Seb was lumbered with driving - thankfully there was only one lock just as we started off so it was just a matter of steering which he did very well.



He didn't even get the privilege of parking as had nipped down stairs for a well earned loo break before mooring up. Feeling a little more alive we headed into town - grabbed a coffee, tea for me, at a little cafe and wondered around a bit looking for somewhere to eat. Not a whole lot though there was a Mexican. In the mean time Kev's knee started to get gippy so we had to stop at the inevitable Irish pub for a pint of Guinness or 5 and a few games of electronic darts.... darts on an electronic scoreboard really - it added the scores for you. Together with Nik & Dean we wiped the floor with Andy, Nick & Seb. Kev the master of ceremonies / umpire / commentator / critic / coach...



Filled with Mexican food, cooked by a Brit, it was a early night ready for the trip back to Messac the next day - moor up and get le boat to shipshape and hopefully find a bar where we could watch England play football. On the way back upstream we had a look for things to do - looking at the guidebook it was a very easy choice really karting. Looking at the satellite view on google maps the coarse looked absolutely awesome - we were now on a mission and back up to full speed of 10.2 km/h.

Coming up to the last locks - granted that we were all sober - with Nik at the controls not once but twice he managed no miss the hole. Eventually with a little help fending off on either side he manage to get it in. Getting out wasn't particularly smooth either - a little bump here and there. Drink obviously helps making the whole thing just a little bit easier.

Looking over the karts they looked like they would manage a bit more than our speedy vessel - also be a little more maneuverable. Nik just checking the control aren't too confusing perhaps?



Kev explaining how big a helmet he needs.



I think we all wore the hairnets with definite aplomb.



We organised three 10 min races - the first as a warm up - and tiring enough at the end. Like all blokes we relived the glorious moments at each break.



Andy (struggling?) getting his helmet off.



Finished with Karting where I think Seb was the winner, we'll gloss over the rest of the placings especially mine, we bundled back into the van in search of a bar for drink, food and football. We found a bar, with no football - not English football anyway, no food - but ordered pizza from across the street with a wait time of 1.5 hours, and made for the dart board again - this time playing cricket and some other strange games to pass the time. Pizza has never been so wanted, very cheesy when it came, but talk about low sugar levels and suddenly there was life again in the group.

Heading back, we embarked on a game of poker, complimented by cups of tea.... such a bunch of lightweights!



Dean sitting pretty in the winning seat.



But what - Andy sneaks up from behind and nicks all Deans chips in a daring but bold move - well all or nothing!!

With that it was bed and with the sound of more snoringh coming from all sides of the boat made for an restless night sleep - but there'll be more on that later.



Refreshed Dean starts on breakfast.



I can't believe it but for 5 days in a row - a proper fry up with all the trimmings - and today finishing everything off - ohh yes.



Le boat packed up, cleaned on the inside, washed down on the outside, and crammed into the wagon we headed north back up to Cherbourg for the ferry. From the very back seat with Andy and Nick watched as we made out way through the wet streets.



And our little treat on the way was to stop at Mont St Michel. Nothing like a good bit of architecture and culture to round off the trip.



Chilly or excited then Sebastion?



The last time I was here was on a school trip to Dinard when I was at Fernden - must have been around 10 or so. Oh did we have fun spending our Francs on bangers and letting them off in the drains under the prom. Not that I'd do that now at all... far more tourists now and shops full of tat too!!



Kev not best happy as his knees hurting from walking up hill... stopping for a 'kodak' moment we head back down again.



The 'kodak' moment.



Realising we hadn't had a group photo, we stop for one... the master photo being on Deans camera, just hasn't been sent for processing at the time of writing so we have to make do with my phones best effort. Everyone's there Nick, Andy, Nik, Dean, Kev, Seb (busy on the phone) & me.



Go on just try and invade me!!



And if you ate too much at the banquet there's no way you'll be getting out down here!



And of course no visit to the rock would be complete without a proper highly styalised photo.



Or it could just be chucking it down.... while we finished the last of the pizza.

Meanwhile out at sea, halfway across the channel we wave au revoir to France and look forward to getting home again.



Sunny moods all round.

Thanks to Seb & Kev for inviting me last minute, the others for their welcome & am really looking forward to cycling coast to coast next year!!

Le Boat

There are some benefits to working shifts - when the timing's right it means you have the chance to have a holiday on 'le boat'.



It started with a kiss..... err no - that's something else... a song I think. It started finishing my night shift on the Wednesday morning, hi-tailing it home for a quick shower and bite to eat before catching the 08:18 train to Southampton Airport.



Well prepared with my notepad and book. I've been reading Shantaram for about 8 months now - if not more. It's an autobiography about a Kiwi who joins the mafia in Bombay, a good story but a little too in depth into the meaning of life in places so you have to put it down or your head is liable to explode.



This is fantastic - 5 min walk from the station to the airport - quick and easy there, and must be all of 200yds from checking to the plane. 10.30 departure. Just the boat to do and I will have done land sea and air transport.



The boys were making the way up to Rennes along the canal - which passed round the back of the airport. Timings being perfect I'd meet them there and be on my way. As we flew in we passed over the canal and there was a boat coming up to the meeting point I'd worked out with Seb. Perfect. Landed - yes indeedy it was them. It's amazing what you can do with an F in 'O' level French as I explaining to a taxi driver I wanted to go to the bridge over the canal just near the airport. Strewth 8.50 euro for 4km!!

I can't quiet remember how long it took to be given a G&T once I had boarded, I'm sure it was before Captain Seb almost crashed as we set off for Rennes. Obviously spending too much time looking at Andy & Nick D's spectacular coordinated dance moves.



Catching up very quickly - on the alcohol front at least we got up to the next lock where Nick spotted a lake to go for a swim in. Well why not so we disembarked and made out way round to the beach - not at all persuaded by sunbathing beauties on the grassy knolls.

I'm not sure how Jess managed to get in the sea back at home the other week - it was cold - though once in and moving not too bad. Some bright spark then suggested that we swim across the lake back to the boat. Having nominated a point to aim for and putting aside my fear of being seriously out of my depth, the lake was an old quarry, ignoring the warning signs we set off for the 228m swim shore to shore.

From being at work 7 hours ago, now in France for a little over an hour - I'd spoken French to a taxi driver and not got lost, drank a few G&T's, seen some birds and beavers and managed an open water swim, the sun was out too. On the whole so far so good!!

Driving into Rennes late afternoon - perfect timing for a days travel.



First though we had to find somewhere to moor - why not under the car park some bright spark had build over the canal... at least there was light at the end of the tunnel.



Having made it through and not found any decent moorings - we risk the car park once more.



A very pleasant evening was spent having a few drinks in the piazza - doing what we do best - talking gibberish, then kebab and chips for dinner - why? Having accosted a gendarme to find out where the night clubs were we finally ending up in a bar with Foosball. Having established that Kev & Nick D were the best and they weren't allowed to team up. A french dude then turned up and then proceeded to refurbish the table by putting on his own handles. This was followed by Nick and then Kev being, well a good kicking would be the term. I guess if you have to loose the French it might as well be their foosball champion!! (According to the barman via the Doc's translation - so who really knows).



Boating does have its pleasures - like waking up on a quiet canal and having breakfast on deck in the morning sunshine.



Leaving the delights of Rennes, Dean drives us back down river towards, having left with out Nik 'the Doc' on board. Ooops. Thankfully we'd only gone a couple of hundred yards before Kev noticed we were one short - counting to 7 obviously a forte!!



Arriving at a lock at lunch time - you just have to wait and pass the time playing airplanes...



A postcard from stunningly beautiful Brittany - even with a camera phone.



And while the butterflies glide past, crickets chirp and the sun warms our backs Dr Nik quietly strums along at the front of le boat.



Lock done and dusted Nik said he could waterski behind the boat - full tilt at 10.2 kmph. This involved blowing up a dingy - which almost killed Seb, Nik getting in - without cracking his head open...



Success of sorts after the third of fourth attempt.



Much more fun was watchin him climbing out with plenty of encouragement from Kev, not a helping hand though - just a good chuckle.



Eventually he made it out with the use of a ladder... Steaming on down towards Messac - mind your head!



Nik & Kev looking very sullen after Kev emerges from the galley with the news that there is no more Gin & Tonic. As a result he disappears with a promise to find something else.



Well one thing you have to say - apart from the river being very quiet - not passed another boat at all amazing old architecture.



Going down... and by way of thanks giving the lock keeper a small glass of Kev's "Muddy Special" - why - because it looked like mud.... was a lot smoother though. Last time I was on a canal boat must have been when I was 7 or 8 and was told off so badly when I jumped to shore when the boat was going down in a lock. Just a few short years later I'm climbing down the lock door ladder and stepping on to a moving vehicle... kids just do as I say not as I do!!



Having made it to Messac and passed through the lock, litterally just before lock down Kev celebrates my perfect bump free parking...? Amazing how a little drink gives you the gentle touch. I'm sure Jess was a bit bemused with 7 extremely talented singers giving her an stunning rendition of 'Happy Birthday' - not everyday that happens.



Oiled and fed with Nicks stunning vegetable curry - its time to get ready to hit the bars and clubs of Messac... boys will be boys.



Then night fell - not sure how or when but it did. Not that we noticed. And there was only one bar - its all you need!!



Later that night following a night cap on deck and very rounded converstaion - the snores gently rocked the boat and filtered up and out through the windows, rumbling over the harbour....