Antiope Cruising

Monday, 11 May 2015

A new adventure begins

10 am on May 6th and the boat trailer moves in to take Antiope back to her natural element.

It is a great relief to see Antiope afloat once more

The following morning we get underway along the Vosges canal, heading towards Epinal

on the climb to the summit we have 46 locks to manage.

Once out of the marina and on to the Vosges canal we head past the township of Corre

The Vosges canal was completed in 1884 linking the Moselle and Soane rivers,

David, a sailing mate from way back, now living in France, drove across the country to help.

On the summit laevel, an overnight stop at the village of les Forges

We descend through 14 locks to Epinal

Antiope, is clearly happy to back afloat, next port of call, Nancy.

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

The boatyard and marina at Corre is run by a Swiss couple Doris and Jean-Pierre 'Fluvial loisirs' They are most helpful and quite happy for me to work away on my own in their boat park.
After hours of grinding, filling and fairing, the topsides almost look like new again.

With the aid of the anchor winch the fender rope is carefully refitted

Antiope is finally ready for another season of cruising.

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

2015 Season. Week One

I arrived in Corre on Friday 17th April in a downpour of rain.
However once aboard Antiope all was dry below, she had survived the winter well,
Having evicted a few angry spiders, I was able to set up home. A bachelor pad for a while as Annie will be joining me later in the season.
Covers off in the morning, on a warm dry Saturday, clean up and down to work, the topsides were overdue for a repaint, so while this Summer like weather continues, Antiope gets her beauty treatment, of a kind!

Day three, sanding and filling, sanding and filling again.

A sundowner at the end of the days work.

Monday, 13 April 2015

A diferent kind of boating

The writer at the helm of Steinlager 2

A week away from heading back to France and Antiope, I had the opportunity to sail aboard Steinlager2 on the annual Auckland to Tauranga race. We were frustrated by light winds, so no glory for us, the small boats beating us on handicap, but for me a great experience.

After a complete refit, Steinlager 2 looks as good as she did 25 years ago

Steinlager 2 was sailed by Sir Perter Blake in the last Whitbread, Round the world race. She still holds the record for winning all 5 legs of the race.

Bags are packed, the next post should come from on board Antiope.

Sunday, 2 November 2014

A Tale of Three Rivers

Another season has drawn to a close.
We are home in New Zealand and 'Antiope' is snugged up for the winter

Antiope ashore at 'Corre' on the Soane river

A big gap here since I last updated this blog.for all sorts of reasons.

Since my last posting Antiope cruised on to Nancy in a very hot 2013 July, then with our partners at the helm, South as far as Lyon before laying up for the winter in 'Corre' on the canal de l'est. Back in the water in May, Antiope headed back towards Paris and onwards to the Somme. Where Annie and I rejoined her in Amiens. for this seasons cruise.

Swan built in 1897, under restoration

New timber in the transom

Before heading over to France and while seeing folk in England I had the opportunity to see my old boat 'Swan' which is now under restoration in Lowestoft Suffolk.
Built in 1897, Much of her history I have recounted elsewhere in the book 'Swatchway Magic' I can now post this update. Swan had been approved for restoration by the International Boatbuilding Training College in 2009 as a rare example of Victorian Boatbuilding. Now after waiting in line since then, and safe under cover, her turn has come. Her current owner got in touch with me to say that work had started. Stripped to a shell she lay stranded in the workshop. With temporary frames set up new timber was being knitted into her hull. I look forward to another invitation to see her refloated and perhaps sail her once more. 'Swatchway Magic' is available from Amazon.com and some yachting type bookshops

July 2014, Antiope, on the tranquil Somme river

Our cruising this year was largely unplanned and governed by family events beyond our control, which shall be my excuse for not attending to this Blog, However Annie and I have enjoyed our time together aboard with possibly the best weather we have experienced in the past few years.

We rejoined Antiope in Amiens, and decided to explore the lower reaches of the Somme as far as the sea at St Valery. It was from here in the Baie de Somme that William set sail back in 1066 to do battle with Harold and conquer England

Baie de Somme, from where William set sail for England

The spectacular sound and light show at Amiens Cathedral

The Somme at Cappy, for 4 years, this was the front line in WW1

We gently cruised the navigable length of the Somme to where it joins the Canal Du Nord, turned right and headed towards Paris, however instead of the direct route we followed the Aisne to Reims.

Busy morning on the Aisne

In Reims we found secure moorings close to the vibrant centre of town, Reims has emerged from the devastation of two wars and is well worth a visit. While there in a rather plain looking school building behind the railway station we visited the room where in May 1945 The German High command signed the 'instrument of surrender'.

Reims 1917

The surrender room as it was on May 7th 1945

We cruise into Paris

and moor in the shadow of the Bastille monument

We have moored in Paris before, always a great experience, however this time we came in by the back door along the little known Canal st Martin, built back in 1802, by order of Napoleon 1st