These are the adventures of Andy and Sally Rawnsley on their narrowboat "The Puzzler". We have been living on the boat for over nine years now and are still loving it. Our Ulster born Shih Tzu, Shannon, has grown up, and has taken over the boat! After three wonderful years in Ireland, we transported The Puzzler to The Netherlands, and spent a year there. In 2015 we went southwards, to reach the north of France by June. After glorious weather throughout the summer, we arrived in Roanne in late October, and enjoyed our winter in this friendly port. We cruised extensively in France in 2016, 2017 and 2018, returning to Roanne each winter.


Tuesday 17 January 2017

11th - 31st December 2016. Christmas with our friends on Rook, then fantastic frosty trees, leading up to New Years Eve on Eendracht. More frost on New Year's Day, January 1st 2017.



There has been quite a lot of rain, and this skateboarder cannot come across to us. Il est désolé!


There were 15 of us on Peter`s boat, Rook, for Christmas this year, with everyone sharing the cooking.


Chief chefs, however, were Gorete, Peter and Nikki. We had a great meal!


The ice is starting to encroach on The Puzzler.


We have had fog, followed by frost, creating a freezing wonderland.


All the trees are frozen beside the road, behind the capitainerie.


Along by the River Loire, everything is covered with ice.


Even the grass has a covering of white.


The heavy frost is on all the trees.


Each tree creates a different pattern.
We celebrated New Year's Eve on Eendracht, where a good time was had by all.
With a mixture of cultures, we sang Auld Lang Syne, then continued with the hats and whistles of France. Cora had also brought a metre sized ball of mistletoe, under which we all had to kiss everyone else. No-one was averse to this!



Back on The Puzzler, Shannon tried out one of the hats for size.


However, she decided that she preferred the laid-back ribbon look!


On New Year's Day our winter wonderland was back again, with a bright sunny day to help the icy effect.

Happy New Year to everyone!

No comments:

Post a Comment