Plan B

We are now back in Paris and, after deciding not to head further south on the French canals, we are trying to decide where to head for next. It will take us about 7 days to get to Le Havre. From there we think that we will head east along the French coast and then cross back to the UK at Dover. It would then be possible for us to head north up the east coast of England to the Norfolk Broads – a place that we have not visited on our own boat. We have fond memories of the Broads from when we had our first experience of boating, in a hired cruiser, when we first got married.

It would then be possible for us to move Jomima, by sea or by truck, to Newark on Trent for the winter.

Time to Catch Up

Jomima is now settled in at the Paris Arsenal marina and we are very tired after a lot of walking yesterday. So, it is time to catch up with some jobs. For Ann that means finding two empty washing machines, that actually work, in the marina launderette. We had accumulated rather a lot of washing, since we last had the use of some machines, so Ann needed some help from me to carry it all. After setting the machines in motion, that firstly required doing battle with the French instructions, I decided that it was time to give Jomima a good check over. I regularly check the cooling water filters and, when at sea, rarely find anything in them. However, despite having only checked them the previous day, the filters had accumulated a great deal of weed and litter after the journey through Paris. The Perkins engines use very little oil and water and their 2 x associated starter batteries require little maintenance. However, as usual, the domestic batteries (4 x 6v @ 175ah) used nearly 2 litres of water since we left Brixham. The domestic batteries work hard because they are being constantly discharged by the fridge, lighting etc and then topped up again by the engines and battery charger - when we can find an electricity supply to plug into.

In the afternoon we explored the interesting side streets that surround the marina and we were able to top up the food and wine supplies from the excellent range of shops nearby.

Port de Paris-Arsenal

Once past the Notre Dame Cathedral, the waiting pontoon for the Port de Plaisance de Paris-Arsenal was clearly visible on the right bank. We contacted the Capitainerie staff, who could see us on their closed circuit TV, and they prepared the lock so that we could enter the marina. I am writing this as we are moored safely in the marina and still find it amazing that, for 36 Euros per night, we are able to moor in the centre of Paris alongside the Bastille Monument. Try getting a hotel room in Paris for that price!