June 1, 2012

We arrived in Paris on May 31, 2012 and made our way from the Charles de Gaulle airport on the RER train (which allows luggage and bikes) into Paris where we transferred to the Metro.  Our bikes are packed in there suitcases and we each have one carry on bag with all our clothes, both biking and for dress, and one duffel bag with camping gear.  Our plan is to camp during  nice weather and stay in Gite’s or Chambre D’ote otherwise while in France.   My first time in Paris was in 1975.  It is exciting to be back once again.

Situated in the La Villette on the River Seine are 34 barges rafted up 3 deep, here for the DBA (Dutch Barge Assoc.) rally. Our accommodation was on a 23m converted barge, Joli Coeur.   We have become members to learn more about barges and the lifestyle of living and traveling on the canals of Europe and be among the ones who would know best about buying barges.

We were welcomed with a wine and cheese tasting and a Woman’s Forum the first day. Set up in teams, each  went shopping to buy cheese and wine then a tasting contest to see who selected the best ones.  There was a members forum  in the AM the next day, a book swap and cocktail party in the evening.   .In between we got to visit many barges.

            
Many of the bargees were English so a grand luncheon was set up on the quay next to the barges for over 100 people for the queens Diamond Jubilee.  It rained that AM but still everyone paid no attention and just continued on carrying chairs and tables off the barges.  The rain stopped just in time for the huge pot luck.  By 3PM everyone had retreated to the barges to watch the ceremonial events on TV.

         
We took off on the Metro for the Arsenal or Canal St. Martine below the Bastille.  I had done the canals from Amsterdam to Paris on a Nauticat sailboat with stepped mast in 1985 and had spent time in the Arsenal.  I wanted Steve to see the smaller barges.  We realized that most barges in the rally were way to large as we want to down size from s/v Ariel which was 18m.  Our favorite boat seen so far is the Grouwster Vlet 15m river cruiser built in Sneek Holland.  We realized we should be headed for Holland as we hear the boats are cheaper and have a larger variety.

Now we wonder if a barge is what we’d like ……or some type of river cruiser?

Time to unpack the bikes from their suitcases stowed on Joli Coeur’s deck.

ALLONS-Y  – LET’S GO