www.gratisaustralis.com/category/indian-ocean/ And for other news: More sanding for Bob on the cabin sides. After two days of hard slog sanding, I have commenced varnishing and painting the galley.

Our Cocos Keeling to Rodrigues journey is on board at last: www.gratisaustralis.com/category/indian-ocean/ Check out the recipes we made along the way: www.gratisaustralis.com/category/recipes/  

3 cups corn pasta ½ jar peppers (capsicums) drained and diced 2 dessertspoons dried chives ½ can corn drained 1 can champignons drained and diced 1 can asparagus drained and chopped 1 can sausages (hot dogs) drained and chopped ½ teaspoon ground chilli powder 1 clove garlic crushed Salt and pepper to taste (we use […]

2 cups water 1 cup rice 1 can drained capsicum ½ can drained corn 1 can champignons drained and diced 1½ teaspoons chicken stock 2 teaspoons dried chives 1 clove crushed garlic 1 teaspoon chilli powder Pinch salt Enough oil to baste the pan Bring water to boil. Add rice, chicken stock, salt. Cook 15 […]

Sautéed Chicken 4 dessertspoons maple syrup Shallot chopped Dessertspoons dried chives ½ cup sheep yoghurt 1 teaspoon parsley Clove garlic crushed ¼ cup Queen Bee sticky white wine (or white wine of choice) Salt and pepper to taste (we use celery salt) ¼ cup olive oil Breasts chicken sliced and skinned of fat Place all […]

Despite the aches and pains, it’s back to the sanding for us both, today.

A beautiful day. Bob is out sanding the port side deck, I have edited and readied a few more of the pics from our Midi odyssey and am about ready to sand the ceiling/wall in the galley. By tonight an undercoat will be on.  

The storms in which winds reached 60+ knots have passed. We still continued working, though. Yesterday saw Bob put in the electricals for the TV’s new position + move the tv. I painted the last of the kitchen cupboards: one more coat to go there. Now catching up on a couple of weeks washing. The […]

The Barometer has been down to 987 and the wind is blowing with gusts of 60+ knots.

Here it is pre – mattress: It’s wonderful having our own sides for hopping in and out and a dream to sleep in.

Here are some maps showing the route we shall be taking upon the waterways this year. This covers the Rhone, Soane, Canal des Vosges, Mosel, Rhein, and Mittelland Kanal.

The painting in the forward cabin is completed. Bob is attaching the door handles. I have a bit of varnishing to complete on a couple of pieces of trim, which Bob will then add. A clean out, and the cabin will be ready for the bed. On to the kitchen next……

With the official books on the Canal and River systems of Germany only written in German, there is more than one way to skin a cat when you can’t speak or read the language. The solution is a little time consuming, but well worth the effort. Today I have commenced scanning the relevant information and saving […]

Another sneek preview of the pics to come.

The last of our chart books for the canals arrived yesterday. It is now full steam ahead with the planning. The German books will be interesting, for unlike the French, there is no English translation provided. A quick learning curve in acquiring the German language is coming up for us.  

Over the past days Bob has prepared the prop shaft for the new cutlass bearing and installed a new sink. Today the weather is perfect and he is now able to re – fibre glass the hull where it had cracked and was letting in water – it had been sanded prior to our departure […]

Spring has sprung in Sicily, and each day that high creeps ever closer. It is now that the island truly comes into its own. Arriving in late Autumn last year, colours were muted, whilst during winter it was the vibrance of the oranges that contrasted against the drab gray brown landscape. With each day that […]

A morning of rain, with good old thunder and lighting: a time for staying in the warmth of indoors.

The collation of ports and locks for our trip from Port St Louis to Lyon has been completed. In conjunction with utilising current information about the current flow and so forth, now it is possible to consider the planning of our journey upon this river.     Some links that will help us with our preparations […]