General Witterings -
Twiddling on Rosy

This has been one of those weeks.  Lots of little painting jobs to be done, and lots of waiting for the rain to stop and the paint to dry.  The galley gets a bit chaotic, as the water from the taps gets involved in cleaning brushes AND cooking AND washing up.  I have to report that muesli, milk and sugar tastes somewhat better than muesli, white spirit and Wickes Best Sugar Soap.

Canoeists have been very active just recently, and, as in Belgium, it is pretty rare to see a canoeist wearing a life jacket, whereas in the UK it is pretty rare to see a canoeist without one.

The boaty press is advertising sets of three padlocks, all keyed alike (one key fits all).  I went round this circuit a couple of years ago, and discovered that Squire (and, I guess, other manufacturers) will supply as many 'keyed alike' padlocks as you want.  You have to persuade your local stockist to put in a special order, and they arrive within a few days.

This weekend has seen a HUGE market/brocante (car boot sale) here in Briare.  There is another one in August, apparently, but I won't be here.  I managed to find a suitable plate to fill a hole in the plate display in Rosy's back cabin.  It's not a true 'lace' plate, but it'll more than do.

The owner of the good ship Trillium appeared.  He has a 23 ft cabin cruiser.  He used to have it on the Thames, but shifted it over here to Briare some few years ago.  He takes his 6 weeks (lucky fellow) holidays all in one go.  He arrives, and spends a week drinking and tidying up his boat.  He spends another week drinking and cruising to Paris.  He spends 3 weeks moored in the Arsenal - directly adjacent to the Bastille, right in the centre of Paris - and drinking.  The last week involves much drinking, and a cruise back to Briare.  Nice bloke, who seems to have recovered from his early setback of being in the RAF.

Toodle pip!!

Bill