Wouldn’t you like to live the laid-back life on this converted rice barge? I would! But then, I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for boat-y things.
It’s been so long since I did any sailing I probably can’t remember which sheet pulls which sail, but I still get that “lift” when I see yachts or barges. (By barge I mean canal narrow boat.)
Years ago, in England, I tried to persuade several friends that pooling our money and hiring a barge to cruise down the Rhone would be a fun way to spend a holiday. They didn’t seem to think the same. We ended up on a 20′ tub on the Grand Union Canal! But that was fun, too, except for the good old English summer weather…
And now I’m fired-up again to go bargeing in France, having just soaked up a TV programme in which Rick (Cornwall chef) Stein did exactly that.
The scenery! The ambience! The food! The wine! Oh, the slow, contented measure!
I’ve met people from many lands, eaten food from as many, but, somehow, the places that pull me back are Italy and France.
I wonder if the old salthouse still stands in Honfleur…? Does that enterprising Ligurian still sell fresh coconut on the front in Lerici…?
I overheard a woman telling her friend recently that she had told her daughter she should not travel abroad because of all the “terrible things that are happening.”
Well, yes, terrible things do happen.Have always happened, lady, but you can’t keep your children at home on a selfish “what if…”
I still believe that fewer terrible things would happen if more of us met more of us.
Rather like the Six Degrees theory. Or blogging.
Oh, for the record, Josh-the -Blog-Mog is becoming quite big-headed after his brush with fame.I doubt I’ll be able to keep him away.
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Moreidlethoughts Weblog 
Can I come with you when you go off on your travels????
The selfish ‘what if’ prevents life being lived. Your converted rice barge is now on Blogworld Road – and I am happy to come with you. Oh what adventures we will have!
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I’m going ‘barging’ next October on the Shropshire Union. It’ll be my second time and as I absolutely loved the first one, I’m hoping this one will be just as good. Mind you, as you mentioned, the English weather can be a bit iffy and October’s not exactly the warmest month!
France sound good. I’ve only ever been once and never on a barge.
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Sorry Dinahmow, I get sea sick. If I am able to control it, I want to make sure that the barge has a proper toilet. Still it looks so idyllic.
Say Hi to Josh.
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we’re really close to the Avon and Kennet canal and I keep looking at those narrow boats and thinking how lovely it looks! I’m really tempted to hire one and take to the backwaters for a while. However I think the canals of France would be even more fabulous and I believe you can go completely north to south (or south to north) on France’s inland waterways – very tempting!
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caroline – yes, pack your toothbrush and come aboard.I suspect the Blogworld Road parties might continue there!
sharon j – as long as your boat has a good heater, you’ll be pretty snug.
ces – sorry you’re not a good sailor, but anything goes iin Blogworld, right? So you can drink cocktails on the deck and you wont even hiccup!I’m sure there’s “proper sanitation” on board!
ziggi – never did the Kennet and Avon, but that’d be a good place to start. And, yes, you can hire a boat at one end of France and (in some cases) leave it at the other end.Rather like the rental car deals when you only need to go one-way.
Take that social worker with you and chuck her overboard!
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I saw your barge from my bedroom window in Blogworld Road. I’ll be down in the morning with some bacon sandwiches and coffee. And some bread for the ducks too, of course.
I strongly identify with your views that more of us should meet more of us for better things to happen. Perhaps we can share some ideas in the sunshine.
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I’m with you: Italy and France. I have never been able to decide which is better, though: Provence or Tuscany? 🙂
I want to go punting on the Thames.
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