Weekend?

My days "off" I am now a galley slave:

• stripping the remaining upholstery from the v-berth sides
• hauling the drapes to a laundry in Montagne Vert by bike
• swabbing diesel dust off the exterior decks
  
• sponging out the forward bilge daily with no clue where the water comes from

I'd take up the hours with the captain, but that would just get me worse duties I'm sure.

It feels like early summer here - still comfortable outside in t-shirt and shorts. I've never lived somewhere I show up as a barefooted pirate at a Halloween party before!

Launch!

Arriving home, I discovered a work party under Marc's direction, moving boats and motors and trailers around the yard to close out the season. It was after dark by the time Frog II hit the water, but it floats and it finally feels "right" to step aboard. I celebrated by making kettle soup.

I like my new neighbours.

Pas à pas

First steps in building new teams in the ISU Masters program - we had an International Food Tasting after class. All the new arrivees had to prepare something from their country (I picked Nanaimo bars, which took a fair bit of liberty with the French translation of some ingredients).

Every day a small step toward a trip down the canal. Today, Kristoff installed the battery & charger for the engines, bilge pump, lights and pressure water system - and it all works. Marc used a vacuum to drain the forward bilge (which isn't connected to anything, but still has water).

It's quite cosy with lights on and Sergent Garcia playing on my laptop.

Home Sweaty Home...

I live in a plastic container someone forgot at the back of the fridge.

My first night aboard this land-locked boat and I survived a deluge that sounded like firefighters were aiming their hose at the cabin. The boat is trailered, yet it attracts water like a sponge. There is condensation on the windows, moss growing in the

window-sill, damp upholstery in the v-berth, and unbelievably water in the forward bilge. This boat is sinking on the tarmac.

My first task is to make the v-berth suitable for human occupation. My "boatlord" Marc gave me the go-ahead (and tools) to remove everything and rebuild. This could be fun. I convinced Kristoff, the resident German mechanic, to hook up a power cable, but I haven't anything to plug in yet.

News: Have boat, will travel.

Frog II & new resident
After reconnecting with marina owner Marc here in Strasbourg, I'm about to take residence in one of his older boats. (Unfortunately, the narrow boat I looked at this summer is no longer available.) The hull is sound, but the cabin is ancient. I've agreed to strip the boat out and re-finish the interior - he'll supply tools & materials.

With a rental agreement in hand, I can now apply for residency in France and even receive mail.

Seems odd to have a boat without a mast. This will take some work...

gone for a long walk...

This is my first blog, so bear with me. I've just moved to Strasbourg France to start a masters. It might be a while before anything exciting happens but when it does, you'll be the first to know.

The Eternal Fizzer