Return to Piedaleau

Along with many other boaters, we have been eagerly awaiting our return Piedaleau…..

As the lockdown strictures began to ease we were able to visit Lisa and Freddie a couple of times to sit in her garden…..

Then we visited David Almond (Carmen) in Frinton on Sea. Lovely to see him, to walk along the beach, breathe the sea air and have an ice cream! (Can’t not have an ice cream at the seaside!)

Then, as soon as we were able to ‘bubble’ with someone living alone we went to visit Mary (alias scary-Mary-from-the-dairy but she moved!) in Shrewsbury. I had managed to leave my camera at her house just before the lockdown so wanted to retrieve it before heading back to Belgium. Both Mary and I were missing our hairdressers and so decided a little mutual assistance was required. Mary, however, got a little carried away behind me!

As soon as we were sure we could get through the tunnel, across France & into Belgium we were off. Chris Hanley was coming with us in order to complete the plumbing of the tanks which was so rudely interrupted by Covid! Unfortunately we had to go in separate cars or he couldn’t get home (no foot passengers on ferries) or we might get involved in quarantine in UK (if we drove him home!). We all set off really early and both cars arrived in Bruges by 10 am. Chris immediately set to work – took him 2 long days due to a dastardly leak in one inlet pipe. You know the one ….. the most awkward, inaccessible pipe in the whole installation. After various contortions (he’s over 6ft),  he managed …. and now all is good!

I cannot believe how excited I got about our new plastic TANKS!

At the bar Graine and I decided a little decoration was required…….

Cheers!

Adrian is now fighting hard with the woodwork ……… changes to the plumbing mean that nothing just goes back into place. He is having to do a lot of jiggery pokery! But hopefully the rear cabin will soon be back to normal and ready for visitors.

We hope to set off in a few days but in the meantime we are enjoying Bruges as we have not previously seen it ie without the millions of tourists. And being able to sit outside for a beer or go to a restaurant for dinner again. The restrictions are less than at home, which feels a little strange, but seem to be working well.

Author: mistyjf

I have been boating in Europe since 2009 when I shipped Misty Morning to France. Time & life move on! Adrian, my new partner, & I bought Piedaleau in 2015 to continue and expand our European boating adventures. View all posts by mistyjf