The underside of our boat is in fine shape, you'll be pleased to hear. It's really quite clean, there is a propeller and a rudder, and no obvious damage. You will no doubt think that we have either had Liberty out of the water, or sent down a diver, or have been snorkelling ourselves. Actually, none of the above. Read on... As you'll know if you're a dedicated reader of these blogs, while Liz went back to the UK for half term in late May, I stayed on Liberty, mo...

All the books we've read about boating in France mention it, and now we know why; it was a dreadful night. The drama of the previous evening should have warned us, plus in the Kanalfuherer it clearly says that lock operations geneally cease by 9pm, except by special arrangement for commercial traffic. Which meant that at least four large commercial barges had made "special arrangements" for night travel, and bulldozed their way past at staggered intervals all ni...