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Exploring Europe – mostly on our barge 'Catharina Elisabeth'
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Author: Helm and Crew

We've always loved the idea of France. We knew next to nothing about boats, cruising and mechanics. So, ten years ago, we bought a 99 year-old-barge and are now amongst the most fortunate people on Earth - living for months on end cruising the European waterways.
—  By Helm and CrewFebruary 7, 2019

The third most visited tourist attraction in France: 27/07 – 29/07

Pont-l’Évêque – Chauny – Guny Slowing Down Our aim for the next stage of this year’s cruising was to relax a bit. We had pretty much rushed down the Grand Gabarit, travelling the commercial route and using big commercial locks. This had been a 260…
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—  By Helm and CrewJanuary 20, 2019

Kruising with Kiwis: 23/7 – 26/7

Arleux – Moislains – Péronne – Noyon – Pont-l’Évêque Ruyaulcourt Tunnel We started off at a sensibly early time on yet another sunny windless day. Every day seems to be the same this year – warm or hot, sunny and little or no wind. What’s…
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—  By Helm and CrewDecember 29, 2018

Finally off – heading for garlic: 15/07 -22/07

Veurne – Watten – Béthune – La Bassée – Arleux To Dunkirk Sunday morning came and we set off in company with a Dutch couple on a cruiser that we had been chatting with over the last day or so and a third cruiser being…
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—  By Helm and CrewDecember 19, 2018

An Inauspicious Start: 12/07 – 13/07

Veurne – Veurne Veurne Our plan on returning to Catharina Elisabeth was to collect a couple more items with the car, drop it back to Dunkirk and then cruise off into France on July 13th, ready to enjoy the Bastille Day celebrations again. It’s perhaps…
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"The thought that life could be better is woven, indelibly, into our hearts and our brains."

Paul Simon | Train in the Distance

  1. Avatar photo
    Ian on Downstream on the Rhône (23/06 – 29/06/25)March 6, 2026

    Oops, just realised you were simply reporting Hennie Ha doesn't have a bow thruster, not that it's broken. We found…

  2. Avatar photo
    Ian on Downstream on the Rhône (23/06 – 29/06/25)March 5, 2026

    Good Timing Val, your comment arrived just as Lisette published her blog on Avignon. Bow thrusters are such temperamental things…

  3. Val on Downstream on the Rhône (23/06 – 29/06/25)March 5, 2026

    What a trip, Ian and Lisette. That wind sounds wicked. I’m not sure we would fare too well with Hennie…

  4. Avatar photo
    Ian on Lyon (20/06 – 22/06)February 23, 2026

    Our (very much delayed) pleasure Gina.

Categories

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