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| . . Our latest exploit! Having just purchased a quarter-share of a 55-ft Dutch Replica Barge*, we're looking . forward to beginning our next adventure - starting July 1st aboard the Accord in southern France! |
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Canal Barging in France
Canal Barging in France
In preparation for barge ownership in France, I
signed up for a 2-day Barge Handling Course given by
Tam & Di Murrell aboard their Dutch barge
"Friesland". By the end of the course, we were
successfully maneuvering, locking and docking this
80-foot, 75-ton vessel with aplomb. It was great fun!
signed up for a 2-day Barge Handling Course given by
Tam & Di Murrell aboard their Dutch barge
"Friesland". By the end of the course, we were
successfully maneuvering, locking and docking this
80-foot, 75-ton vessel with aplomb. It was great fun!
.
In the Friesland wheelhouse, one student steers while
another makes coffee. Instructor, Tam keeps watch.
another makes coffee. Instructor, Tam keeps watch.
The training barge Friesland at the quai in Cambrai, France
My RYA Inland Waters Helmsman's Certificate. Yeah!
We also learned proper passing technique. Notice the poor
visibility from the pilothouse of this unloaded barge.
visibility from the pilothouse of this unloaded barge.
Page 1
Nancy & I plan to start our cruise aboard the Accord
on July 1, 2011. We'll be cruising the Canal de Garonne
(western portion of the Canal du Midi) starting out from
our base in the town of Moissac in southern France.
on July 1, 2011. We'll be cruising the Canal de Garonne
(western portion of the Canal du Midi) starting out from
our base in the town of Moissac in southern France.
Stay tuned...
| .*Our new boat, formerly the Amarok, now . the Accord, is a 2006, Nivernais model . Dutch Style Barge built by Piper Boats Ltd . of Stoke-on-Trent, UK. You can view an . article about this boat, which was originally . built by company owner, Simon Piper, for . his own use, by clicking here. |
Click on photos to view larger...
In the mean time, here's an image of what we think
cruising aboard the Accord might look like...
cruising aboard the Accord might look like...
Here's a "photo" of Nancy & me cruising happily on the Canal de
Garonne. If you click on the photo and look carefully, you'll see
that's Nancy on the bow, me at the helm and our new KYC burgee
flying from the bow. Hopefully, it'll look like this when we get there!
Garonne. If you click on the photo and look carefully, you'll see
that's Nancy on the bow, me at the helm and our new KYC burgee
flying from the bow. Hopefully, it'll look like this when we get there!
| . We made it to France! . Continue to À Bord d'Accord - Pg 2 . The start of our cruise aboard the Accord |
Note: This photo is actually of the original Lagom with the new name added using Photoshop.
(Another bit of Photoshop work by HMC.)