Canal archive

Each time we’ve been driven by ‘Tristar’ they’ve never let us down even picking us up at silly o’clock, for Bristol, Heathrow and Paddington okay we’re in Wiltshire a little nearer to the M4 than Dorchester. Always comfortable car's.

We were on two of the first cruises to use the system and reception had phones you could borrow. As far as I remember the intercom system used for when your with a tour guide can be used to go wondering on your own they are loaded with different towns walks and heritage information. I’m sorry but the tech stuff leaves me cold I just use it.

Nothing for it your going to have to bite the bullet and go Scenic, you won’t run out of wine choice with them.

If you look at the, I think there called stickies, at the top of the page it lists the contact details for Sapphire, also you have more than a month before your cruise I doubt you’ll hear anything at least for a couple of weeks.

What can I say don’t ignore the Australians!

Doesn’t that defeat the object of the expression ‘sportsman’ how sad!

Here it is English Tim. Enjoy yourself lovely part of the world and the French are super they get better the further south you travel. There’s a particular cafe/bar in Arles where the proprietor is determined to practice his English we spent a super hour there during a flash storm.

Pete it used to be mailed but has been in the suite for some time although I think it may be phased out as the Scenic app that we were the Guinea pigs for is superb. You could borrow a phone from reception.

I can honestly say that over many years of river cruising we have only rafted/breasted up occasionally and then for a short period once when the shoreside vessel was awaiting the late return of an excursion which ended in a bit of a teasing session, what can I say but it’s great having so many Aussies on board. Once on the Moselle when an A-Rosa ship moored next to us, well it’s Captain was married to our Cruise Director lovely couple. Once when we shared a glass of wine with our next door neighbours something had gone wrong with a lock! A few other times but never for long. There are many more vessels on the rivers it’s why I’m glad Viking has its own ‘docking locations’. Most Captains preference is not to raft as it potentially could cause damage to their precious vessels.

Mrs Miggins pity it’s not Eurostar all the way which is what we did although we then had to transfer to Chalone Sur Soane where the cruise started from. The only drawback was on the return, no passport control at Avignon so at Lille, everyone off then everyone back on again. Technically then it would have been possible to board Eurostar in London have lunch in Marseille and return all in one day p, I do so wish we had tried it. Lucky to have actually found their case but agree with you expensive jewellery really a no! no!

Yup so many ships!

Basically the only time you need to open your wallet on a Scenic tour is for hair, massage, nails etc and there not horrendously expensive. Okay the shop with jewellery a few clothing items and if your anywhere near Germany teddy bears Steiff of course. I’ve got two from Scenic but then I collect teddy bears 🧸

Curiouser and curiouser said the Cheshire Cat as he disappeared leaving only his grin 😁 behind!

Very true that would I expect be decided by which country the passengers come from.

I suspect it’s easier to moor Jade there until required. Have a great cruise jimmymac123 and CJANDH make sure the bar steward gets to know your favourite tipple tout suite.

It’s not necessarily not allowed mostly it’s the different boat construction and they don’t line up properly. Most companies if you ask nicely will escort you to the lounge for a quick peek. They want to lure you away from your carrier.

Looks like Pearl is moored and Jade is on her way to Lelystad NL

Bill& Dotty & Jazz with that packing list there could be some very interesting evening entertainments - dressing up and quizzes etc. You just need to brush up on your Charleston now.

Ooh exciting having been out of commission for a few weeks she may have that ‘new ship’ smell, bit like a new car but more of it. Have a great cruise.

Not in the U.K.

Your lucky to be able to fly we’re having flights cancelled when passengers are buckled into their seats. Not good.

In the U.K. recently there was a threat to put the work of the passport office out to public tender because renewals were taking so long and the backlog was horrendous. Was the threat tongue in cheek or not?

worldtraveler99 seems all roads lead to Cornwall we went as well and will do again this year plus up to Scotland. I’ve just got to twist a certain persons arm to book our next river cruise which will hopefully be on the Seine.

Our hearts go out to all, you just don’t expect train crashes these days and (I don’t know why) especially not in Germany.

worldtraveler99 out in the sticks we still do for example shopping 🛒 and Doctors 🥼 that kind of thing. Inside Chanel tunnel I.e. duty free. Although basically your correct we as a nation are pushing ‘herd immunity’ to the nth degree. Also recently this is with my synics hat on, catching covid has helped with some potentially sticky situations.