The Journey -
Rosy stays put

Since arriving at Montchanin, things have been a bit stationery (or is it ...ary?).  We won't be going anywhere for a while.

The first problem to develop was a digibox problem, and it now has to go back for repair.  This is VERY annoying, as ordinary radio reception of both Radio 4 long wave and BBC World Service is a bit iffy, so I hardly know what is going on in the world outside the mooring basin ... where ...

A barge appeared called 'Largo'.  It looked like a wide narrow boat, and, true enough, it had been built in the UK.  Two couples were on board, a bearded Canadian called Jim and his DLW (Dear Lady Wife) and an American called Kirk and his DLW Giesela - a German.  Several of us were invited over for sundowners.  The soirée took place on the upper deck, accessed via a couple of footholds up the vertical stern side of the aft cabin.  We were getting nicely pickled, when Fanny, who had been amusing herself on the grassy towing path, decided to join us.  She gave a half-hearted leap up, but only managed to get her head and fore-paws up onto the deck, though her face started off with her cheery "Hi!  Guys!  I'm here!!" look.  However, as she realised that there was no traction for her forepaws, and no support for her rear ones, her expression changed to one of "Oh!!!!!  Shiiiiit" as she slid back.  A thump on landing.  Much snuffling and woofly swearing.  And then a proper leap and she came up to join us.  Temporarily.  For when she arrived in our midst, the cry went up "FANNY!!!!  You STINK." Bravely, I went to investigate.

A fisherman, some time before, having caught his fish - a good-sized one - had left it on the bank.  Then the maggots arrived.  One of the more revolting films I've ever seen is the Oxford Scientific time-lapse film of maggots devouring a small dead animal.  The maggots work as a team, starting at the bottom (literally) and working up.  The maggots on this fish had started on the underside, and were three-quarters of the way up to the fins on the back.  One could only see all this once one had shooed off the hundreds of flies that were also tucking into the feast.  Fanny had spent about half an hour rolling around on this ... thing.  Now, I can understand a young girl prettying herself up before a party, and Fanny HAS got a wonderfully black, glossy coat, nicely set off by white bobby-socks.  But her choice of perfume and deodorant needs a lot to be desired.

I took her home to introduce to the concept of "The Shower".  She knew it must be pretty awful, as she's been around when I'd showered Jess with her anti-eczema shampoo - and Jess has an aversion to showers.  So, now, does Fanny, she really hated it, and even her rehabilitation back into the society of humans hasn't recompensed her for the awfulness of it all.

Back at the party, things were getting a bit fractious, as one or two folk (not I, I hasten to add) were adversely commenting on British-built barges, claiming that one should only buy a Dutch-built barge, as only the Dutch REALLY understand barges.  Unfortunately, it then become apparent that Jim and Kirk were not long-standing cruising buddies - as we had first supposed.  Instead, Kirk and Giesela were out on a trial cruise, with a view to buying the barge from its current owners - Jim and his DLW.  Jim had thought that having us lot on board would create a party atmosphere, and demonstrate the friendliness of the waterway folk to Kirk and Giesela.  This we had done, but we had also (probably) talked Kirk out of buying the barge!!!  Jim took it well, and said "Goodnight" to us all with a cheery smile and gritted teeth.

There was a brocante (like a car boot sale) near by that we went to, on a hot, sultry day.  One kind chap had a doggie bowl that he kept filled with water for passing Fannys etc. to quench their thirsts at.  It is surprising how quite a bit of Franglais gets spoken by French people.  One really does hear French people using the expression "Oooo!  La la!", though one ultra creative gent in a slimly cut suit said "Oooo!  La la!  La la!". 

The boat 'Longfellow' came into harbour, with Dick Allan on board.  He has written several books, one of which I have now read, and very much enjoyed..  It's called "The Cry of the Heron" and is set at the end of the 18th century.  It concerns itself with barge families trading up the Thames to Reading, and up the River Wey, at the time when the Basingstoke Canal was being established.  It was a good read, if a bit clunky in its explanation of the historical data, and in proving the continuity of the action.  I also doubted the believability of the herony bits, though they were effective in progressing the story.  I've also re-read "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch", a wonderful book, that was made into a brilliant film with (if I recall correctly) Tom Courtney in the title role.  I recall him really sucking at the fish bones.

Talking of fish ... last night the local supermarket was selling trout at one euro a fish, so I bought one and tried out trout served with a (slightly) piquant mustard sauce, which turned out very nicely.  The basic roux was made with olive oil rather than butter, but the difference in taste seemed marginal. 

More next week ...

Toodle pip!!

Bill