This is a rather delayed update to the blog since Sep 2007. Anyway a simple timeline since then.
Aug 08 - left Oxford Cruisers, Eynsham and headed east to London to cross the Channel for a second time. Holed up in Blackwall Basin for a few weeks due to work commitments.
Sep 08 - crossed the Channel. Departed Queenborough on a high tide at 0330 and nipped out through 4 Fathoms/Horse and Gore Channels. Fantastic seasmoke off Margate in the dawn. Fairly calm and sunny, although a bit of a chop off N Foreland - but not enough to topple 12 bottles of wine standing in a row on the galley deck! Made good speed and Channel very quiet. Arrived Dunkirk in time for lunch at 1300. Stayed in the Bassin Commercial for a couple of nights and then south to Douai to our sort of permanent mooring.
Douai is a good spot - quiet and sheltered with small village boulangerie, useful supermarket and stores within short walk. Slightly longer walk into town centre.
Commercial barges also share the basin and watching them manoeuvring is amazing - 38m of peniche with single screw and some without bow thruster - manage to manoeuvre expertly in very confined spaces. No tugs and only 1 foredeck hand - and helm may well be Mrs holding baby as well! Judicious use of applying rudder, then some power to swing either bow or stern as required. The shiphandling standard to aspire to!!!
Douai is a good spot - quiet and sheltered with small village boulangerie, useful supermarket and stores within short walk. Slightly longer walk into town centre.
Commercial barges also share the basin and watching them manoeuvring is amazing - 38m of peniche with single screw and some without bow thruster - manage to manoeuvre expertly in very confined spaces. No tugs and only 1 foredeck hand - and helm may well be Mrs holding baby as well! Judicious use of applying rudder, then some power to swing either bow or stern as required. The shiphandling standard to aspire to!!!
Nov 08 - a quick Autumn trip to Cambrai for a look round.
Remained at Douai throughout 2009, still finishing off KEI. A couple of trips - one of 10 days south to to Peronne, good visit and one of 16 days to Roubaix to celebrate the opening of the canal.
Jan 10 - still at Douai. Again a cold winter with ice and snow and KEI is very snug with multifuel stove and oil central heating.
Remaining until late summer dealing with TRIWV inspection requirements, finishing off bits and house letting in UK. Will head off to Netherlands for survey in autumn after summer rush on waterways.
Remaining until late summer dealing with TRIWV inspection requirements, finishing off bits and house letting in UK. Will head off to Netherlands for survey in autumn after summer rush on waterways.
