Picasa Web Albums - The Ailsa Chronicles

Howtown in the Lake District

Long weekend at delightful non tourist location in the Lake District. Some easily accessible walks with great views and a most comfortable family run hotel.

Mar 29, 2012

Photos: 15

Inside Paris

A long weekend in Paris. Weather was warm, skies were blue and you would see all those photos elsewhere, however these are intentionally a bit different.

Mar 11, 2012

Photos: 11

2011 Yearbook

Album of where we've been and what we've done. These are some of the images I enjoy for a variety of reasons, beit composition, life, colour, architecture, juxtaposition, or a touch of surreal.

Dec 31, 2011

Photos: 140

Cordes sur Ciel and Albi

Autumn visit to Cordes-sur-Ciel and Albi was rewarded with sunshine and few tourists. Cordes is a defended (bastide) hill top town founded in the 13th century. Such was the success of the town that it quickly grew and had to have a series of fortifications added to protect the houses and businesses that sprung up lower down the hillsides. Albi has the largest brick built cathedral which rivals Battersea Power Station in London for its sheer size. Albi also boasts the Toulouse-Lautrec museum housing the largest single collection of work by that artist.

Nov 1, 2011

Photos: 15

Airbus A380 on road transport

Oct 20, 2011

Photos: 6

Les Voiles de St Tropez

If you've ever glanced at a classic yacht and thought "Wow that looks nice", then this is a must go to event. Between the warm stable weather, beauty of classic and modern yachts, sheer money, and style of the location, I don't beileve this can be bettered.

Oct 10, 2011

Photos: 55

St Emilion

This location needs no introduction. A very pleasant lunch was followed by a walk around the sights, made all the more pleasant by the warm sunny weather. Wine shops abound encouraging the purchase of wines which I suspect many people know not a lot. I think I'm in that category however I do know that I'm not a lover of St Emilion wines and prefer Bordeaux and Burgundy. Enjoy the album.

Sep 12, 2011

Photos: 21

Villeneuve sur Lot

Sep 4, 2011

Photos: 11

Lavardac et Barbaste

Both towns lie at the confluence of the Rivers Baïse and Gelise, marking the limit of navigation for the larger Garonne barges. Before the Latéral à la Garonne canal was built it would take 4 days for these barges to descend to Bordeaux loaded with wine and produce, where upon they would be broken up and their timber used for building and or fires.

Aug 31, 2011

Photos: 14

Bassin d'Arcachon

Une belle journée au Bassin d'Arcachon. Nous avons commencer notre randonée au phare de Cap Ferret et finit au Dune du Pilat.

Aug 30, 2011

Photos: 44

Montech to Moissac

The voyage from Montech to Moissac includes a spectacular Pont Canal over the River Tarn. Moissac is on the pilgrims' route.

Aug 26, 2011

Photos: 12

Transit of the Garonne

To reach the River Lot from the Canal Latéral à la Garonne requires you to descend into the River Baïse to the St Lègere lock on to the River Garonne. Then 6km downstream on the Garonne in a narrow channel with a current of 5kts to arrive at the lock at Nicole where you can enter the River Lot. A pilot accompanies you and watches the course VERY closely as shallows are often 10m away and the channel depth can be as low as a 1.2 metre before they stop navigation.

Aug 24, 2011

Photos: 7

Castets en Dorthe, Gironde, France

Castets en Dorthe is the junction of the Canal Latéral à la Garonne and the Garonne river. From here the river flows down to Bordeaux and the Atlantic.

Aug 21, 2011

Photos: 4

Castelmoron sur Lot

Town on the River Lot with very distinctive landmark architecture. One of the two 15m écluses on the lower navigable section of the Lot.

Aug 20, 2011

Photos: 21

Lustrac

Lustrac was the limit of navigation was until recently when the écluse was renovated at great expense. You can continue for a further 6km however we were frustrated by large trees blocking the way. This represents the furthest limit of navigation on the downstream section of the River Lot

Aug 19, 2011

Photos: 6

Meilhan sur Garonne

Meilhan overlooks both the canal latérale and the River Garonne, commanding a wide vista of the valley. This album shows one of the frequent evening markets held in the square. Local food producers of everything from duck, lamb, escargot, wine, cheese, etc. bring their produce and cook around the square giving a festive atmosphere. There can be 700+ people accommodated at the tables. The band were good; the singer is the mayoresse's daughter. To feel the ambiance look at the picture album to Amy Winehouse "Me and Mr Jones", KT Tunstall and Michael Jackson.

Aug 18, 2011

Photos: 16

Base ULM St Exupéry

Microlight airfield nr Temple-sur-Lot. Venue of the microlight Tour de France which 150 microlights attended and flew 7 stages around France. On 13-Aug the Base ULM held a party to celebrate their return, and on Sunday 14-Aug they organised a Fête de l'air, airshow to you and I.

Aug 15, 2011

Photos: 24

Marmande

Marmande, home to the Marmande tomato, is the local administrative town in this area. Cotes de Marmandais is a very reasonable drop of wine and a very good market of fresh produce is held on Saturday morning.

Aug 15, 2011

Photos: 15

Valence d'Agen

Aug 8, 2011

Photos: 9

Casseneuil sur Lot

Aug 3, 2011

Photos: 12

Nerac

Aug 3, 2011

Photos: 30

Latour-Marliac at Temple-sur-Lot

Latour-Marliac were founded in 1875 and are a recognised authority for the néophar (water lily). Claude Monet was taken with the flowers and bought specimens for his garden. His many paintings of water lillies bear testament to the enchantment he held for the flower.

Jul 12, 2011

Photos: 27

Bordeaux

A 4 day city break to Bordeaux on the way back from the barge. Great to see the city, lots to do, a buzzing place. Well worth the visit and would do it again. I should really have spent the extra time to caption each photo but lost the will after composing the album,

Jul 9, 2011

Photos: 55

Toulouse for the winter

Very agreeable place to over winter. The centre of Toulouse feels the size of a single diverse arrondisement in Paris. Defintely better weather than the north

Dec 10, 2010

Photos: 35

Lac du Salagou et Cirque de Moureze, pres de Clermont sur l'Herault

Two places for an interesting cycle and walk. They are midway in the area between Montpellier, Bezier and Millau.

Nov 13, 2010

Photos: 18

Flight at Fonserane, Beziers

A seven lock flight early in the canal. It must be intimdating for the boats that have just been rented but it doesn't stop the renters using full forward and reverse throttle to crash into one another. This is part of the Unesco World Heritage site and gets many tourists walking and cycling to see the spectacle

Oct 15, 2010

Photos: 13

Start of the Canal du Midi

After crossing the Etang de Thau you enter the Canal du Midi at Les Onglous to be confronted almost immediately with many down at heel boats, some sinking on their mooring. However it does get better !

Sep 29, 2010

Photos: 8

Marseillan, Etang de Thau

Marseillan traces its roots to Roman times when it was an important port on the Mediterranean. It is also the home of the Noilly Prat fortified wine. The Etang de Thau is best know for its oysters from the nearby town of Bouzigues.

Aug 29, 2010

Photos: 12

Rhone a Sete Canal

The canal runs approximately from Arles -> Sete and sees increasing commercial traffic as Voie Navigable France dredge the canal to take 1000 -> 2000 ton peniches which are 110m long and 11m wide.

Aug 19, 2010

Photos: 17

Avignon

On the banks of the Rhone, Avignon is a delightful place to explore. It is a favourite with tourists for its history and both theatre and music festivals.

Aug 17, 2010

Photos: 48

Along the Rhone. Lyon -> Avignon

Pictures from our voyage down the Rhone. The river is quite tame except in times of flood. It also speeds up downstream of the large hydro electric plants and we experienced speeds of 6km per hour, say 3kts. Moorings are few and far between planing possible moorings before hand is important, otherwise take pot luck at waiting areas next to the ecluses, as plaisanciers are limited to daylight navigation hours.

Aug 16, 2010

Photos: 35

Fire fighting Ardeche style

We happened to be walking around Viviers and saw a helicopter hovering over the nearby hills, then heard planes flying overhead. What a ring side view. Three flying boats, one helicopter, and probably a ground team, so likely 15 people working on this fire. At that stage one realises they take forest fires very seriously.

Aug 11, 2010

Photos: 7

South on the Saone

Photos of our voyage down the Petite Saone and Saone, in place name terms roughly from Corre to Lyon. A languid gently flowing river with many interesting places to stop and explore. Quickly you find out and realise that a short barge (less than 15m) is esier to park and that you have more options for places to stop. Because of the commercial traffic on the river you really do need solid bollards to moor.

Aug 7, 2010

Photos: 61

The Moselle and on to the Canal des Vosges

After leaving Nancy we travelled upstream on the Moselle to the Canal des Vosges. The weather was bright at the start but turned grey and cloudy for what should have been the attractive part through the Vosges. There was steady commercial freight peniches on this section, fortunately it was going in the same direction, otherwise it would have been slow progress to pass on the narrower canal.

Jul 29, 2010

Photos: 14

What does a drained canal look like?

We were held for a few days when VNF had to take a lock out of commission. This required them to drain 2 pounds (biefs) on the Canal des Vosges near Girancourt. VNF moved amazingly fast as 4 freight carrying peniches were held up. It took them 4 days to drain 2 pounds, replace the oak timbers that had decayed and leaked water, and then refill 3km of canal. With regular maintenence I'm not sure the problem should have got to this, but none the less full marks to VNF for actioning the repairs.

Jul 27, 2010

Photos: 10

Nancy

Described in some guide books as the cradle of Art Nouveau, it has a variety of architectural styles that are most impressive, together with buildings dating back to 14C. Definitely a French town where German is seldom heard, a marked change from Strasbourg and the area to the East. Well worth a visit.

Jul 15, 2010

Photos: 20

Canal Marne au Rhin (East)

This canal goes from Strasbourg to Nancy, i.e. the Rhine to the Moselle. It has significant pleasure boat traffic as well as some commercial freycinets. The ecluses are automated and you are issued a remote control to prepare the lock for your use. Nice scenery and good facilities along its length, as well as two great cities.

Jul 8, 2010

Photos: 42

Strasbourg

Known as the site of the European Parliment (shared with Brussels at vast expense, they move all the people and the paperwork backwards and forwards every 6 weeks), Herta Frankfurters otherwise known as Saucisse de Strasbourg, Rouget de Lisle's writing of the chant de guerre, the Marseillaise in 1792, and a brief stay by Gutenburg from 1434-39 when he attempted to perfect the printing press. Strasbourg was French up to 1870, then German and became French again at the end of the First World War. Partly as a consequence the Alsace wines are thought of as German, but made using French methods and with French style. Neither France nor Germany are averse to dosing the wine with a little sugar to make the recognized sweet Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris, etc.

Jul 2, 2010

Photos: 61

Boofzheim and the stork fields

After leaving the Rhine at Rheinau we travel on the northern section of the Rhone au Rhin canal to find this tranquil mooring. Time to do some maintenance and look for my birthday present to myself. Storks appear in the field next to the mooring and provide a rare opportunity to see these graceful birds close by.

Jun 16, 2010

Photos: 6

On the Rhine, Grand Canal d'Alsace

Leaving the Rhone au Rhin canal at Niffer, we go onto the Grand Canal d'Alsace and Rhine. The Grand Canal was built in the 50s and is a major artery to Basel and Strasbourg which is the second largest French inland waterway port. The Canal is concrete sided so any wash reverberates from side to side long after a boat has gone past. Boats are big, like 4000 gr tons which is probably 7000 to 8000 tons displacement. We are only 15 gr tons and 25 tons displacement.

Jun 12, 2010

Photos: 12

Colmar

Described as having a typical Alsatian character, Colmar lies in the middle of vineyard area (Alsace) and hosts the annual gastronomy festival, Festigal. Initially a Frankish township built on the banks of the River Lauch and oft visited by Charlemagne.

Jun 9, 2010

Photos: 42

Basle

A day trip to Basle by train. Much faster than taking the boat up the Rhine, and it saved time fighting against the 8 to 10 km/hr current running in the river. As one would expect a very well kept town and to my pleasant surprise with a host of museums, exhibitions, concerts and events. It would take a hectic few days to see everything, but alas we had less.

Jun 6, 2010

Photos: 24

Montreux-Chateau to Mulhouse

Some pictures along the way of an interesting WWII boat, the flight from the bief de partage, and Mulhouse

Jun 5, 2010

Photos: 11

Peugeot Museum and Montbeliard

Montbeliard has been built on Peugeot and the area on the steel fabrication industry, most of whom are subcontractors to Peugeot. Everything from coffee grinders, through washing machines, tools, bicycles, scooters, cars, marine engines, aeronautical engines to pepper grinders has been made by Peugeot in its time.

Jun 2, 2010

Photos: 16

Lifting bridges

Self explanatory really ! However a nice setting for a good example of a lifting bridge, together with a great graffiti sticker found on many many locks.

Jun 1, 2010

Photos: 6

Along the River Doubs

This is a section between Deluz and Baume-les-Dames. Regarded by the guide as being pictureque it has cliffs close to the river and the valley is relatively narrow and wooded

May 28, 2010

Photos: 12

Beginnings of the Rhone au Rhin

After the Canal de Bourgogne we came onto the River Soane at St Jean de Losne and travelled upstream for a few kilometres before entering the Canal du Rhone au Rhin. This canal runs along much of the Doubs Valley and is an enjoyable journey as it intermingles sections of canal and river.

May 26, 2010

Photos: 7

Dijon through a mobile phone

We were in Dijon the previous year, so here are some different subject snapped on my mobile phone. Impressive picture quality at 5 MegaPixels and compact to boot

May 19, 2010

Photos: 4

Early days on the C de Bourgogne

Not many photographs of this section as we had better light when we were here the previous year. Best to regard these pictures as indicative of our lifestyle.

May 16, 2010

Photos: 15

Semur-en-Auxois

A small historic fortified town that stages re-enactments of medieval battles. It is about 15 minutes bus ride from the Canal de Bourgogne; we stopped on the Echelle de Marigny for our day visit. Fortunately it was too early in the year for the tourist season and we enjoyed a good warming 14 euro lunch in the cold weather without hoards of tourists.

May 12, 2010

Photos: 6

Another Raviere lunch

A splendid place. Great presentation and excellent wine recommendations to accompany the food.

May 9, 2010

Photos: 6

Readying to leave Migennes

After waking the boat from winter hibernation the hull had to be checked after its first two years in the water and we renewed the antifoul and blackening. Boatyard life can be rather slow waiting for the right weather, so we watched the river being dredged and saw boatyard life that can be described as an activity centre for the over 60s.

Apr 14, 2010

Photos: 5

Street life

A collection of life on the streets. No tourists, no landmarks, just life

Mar 30, 2010

Photos: 19

Paris in the springtime

Back in France taking a few days in Paris to catch up with friends and play the tourist. Looking forward to seeing the Musee d'Orsay and more of the Louvre just before Easter.

Mar 26, 2010

Photos: 32

Carcasonne and Castelnaudary

Jan 15, 2010

Photos: 12

Narbonne

Very nice Romanesque town with the canal running through the centre. Weather felt noticeably Mediterranean and warmer. Canal life is a little shabby and we saw several people sleeping rough with their assorted dogs and cans of strong Carlsberg. Little evidence of live aboards, most just leaving their boat there as an annual mooring. Good travel connections with SNCF and TGV (I think).

Jan 13, 2010

Photos: 13

Beaucaire

A town on the edge of Provence with palm, cyprus and olive trees in the surrounding countyside. We were there to check out the possibility of a winter mooring and found the Capitainerie well run and a small thriving community of over wintering boat owners. They even have their own radio net at 0900 to update on news, weather, the stock market, and whats happening locally

Jan 12, 2010

Photos: 11

Vallabregues, Bellegarde and Saint Gilles

These three locations are at the eastern end of the Rhone a Sete canal, in the region bordering Provence. As such the closest large towns are Avignon and Nimes. Montpellier is about 80km distant. Personal favourites are Beaucaire and Bellegarde. Vallabreques is the least favourite because of the isolated location and being moored on the canalised Rhone with the risk of flooding and being swept away.

Jan 10, 2010

Photos: 10

Happy New Year

Ailsa in the festive spirit Courtesy of and ©Door Maas

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 1

Favourites

Nov 21, 2009

Photos: 53

Home for the winter

Nov 6, 2009

Photos: 2

Tanlay et environs; randonee au velo

Oct 28, 2009

Photos: 13

Ravieres and Restaurant Tante Lisette

Oct 23, 2009

Photos: 15

Pont d'Ouche

Oct 14, 2009

Photos: 6

la Bussiere

La Bussiere is in the Ouche Valley near Dijon. Autumn is a beautiful time here, with tints in the trees, clear weather, blue skies and not too many working peniches hotel. It does get cold at night but morning ice is a welcome precursor to another day of blue sky and warm sun. We spent two weeks in this area enjoying the autumn colours and the cycle rides.

Oct 13, 2009

Photos: 17

Barbirey and St Marie sur Ouche

Oct 10, 2009

Photos: 20

Dijon

Oct 8, 2009

Photos: 25

Gissey and environs

Oct 1, 2009

Photos: 13

Chateau de Commarin

Sep 29, 2009

Photos: 11

Vandenesse and Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Sep 28, 2009

Photos: 24

Before the Pouilly-en-Auxois tunnel to the "far side"

Sep 26, 2009

Photos: 22

Flavigny and Alesia

Sep 23, 2009

Photos: 31

Internet cafe preparation

Sep 21, 2009

Photos: 1

On the way to Montbard

Sep 18, 2009

Photos: 5

Abbey de Fontenay

Sep 17, 2009

Photos: 33

la Grand Forge de Buffon

Sep 17, 2009

Photos: 15

Tonnerre

Sep 15, 2009

Photos: 12

Chateau de Tanlay

Sep 14, 2009

Photos: 7

Chablis

Sep 13, 2009

Photos: 6

St Florentin

Sep 9, 2009

Photos: 4

Laroche-Migennes

Work up before dawn and decided to take the camera for a walk. First time I really appreciated how light changes in the run up to sunrise and how delicate pre-dawn light can be.

Sep 4, 2009

Photos: 6

Sigrid; a Dunkirk Little Ship

Sep 2, 2009

Photos: 9

Flying visit: Portsmouth harbour and Christchurch Sailing Club

A very brief return to check our home was still there and complete all the things in life that have to be done. Greeted by fine weather as the ferry docked in Portsmouth and some gentle sailing in Christchurch Bay. It then rained solidly for 3 weeks while France enjoyed 34C.

Aug 2, 2009

Photos: 11

Les Caves de Bailly

Jul 19, 2009

Photos: 10

Vincelles: Amis du Canal Nivernais Meeting

A gathering of nearly 60 barges and boats at Vincelles to celibrate the anniversary of the formation of the Amis du Canal Nivernais, an organisation similar to many of the English waterways action groups that help the continued running and promotion of the canal. The gathering was well supported by the populous and its estimated some 10,000 visitors attended over the weekend

Jul 19, 2009

Photos: 49

Fireworks at the Amis du Canal Nivernais gathering

Splendid set of fireworks viewed from a prime position on the opposite river bank. The end to a great weekend of being social and experiencing a French Fete in full flow.

Jul 19, 2009

Photos: 14

Avallon

Jul 17, 2009

Photos: 5

Noyers-sur-Serein

Jul 17, 2009

Photos: 11

Cosne-sur-Loire, St Fargeau and Auxerre

Jul 15, 2009

Photos: 8

Villeneuve-sur-Yonne

Jul 8, 2009

Photos: 8

Pont-sur-Yonne and Sens

Jul 7, 2009

Photos: 17

Bray and Montereau

Jun 30, 2009

Photos: 15

Fontainbleau

Jun 24, 2009

Photos: 12

Paris: Fête de la Musique

Jun 21, 2009

Photos: 7

Paris: La Villette Gathering

Jun 19, 2009

Photos: 45

Paris: Canal St Martin

Jun 13, 2009

Photos: 10

The Seine

Jun 9, 2009

Photos: 18

Moret-sur-Loing

Final stop on the Canal du Loing before the Seine to Paris

Jun 8, 2009

Photos: 21

Nemours

Jun 5, 2009

Photos: 19

Chatillon, Montargis and Neronville

Jun 4, 2009

Photos: 12

The Ailsa Chronicles
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