Paddy's flyin !

[Irish Rambler]

We enjoyed our visit to San Francisco but we're not really big city people being just simple Irish country folk. It was nice to look around and see the sights and I have no wish to be rude to the San Franciscans but we felt we were judged by the thickness of our wallet and we're not used to that type of lifestyle.
We were surprised by the number of Irish people living here as it's on the East coast of America, the West coast being nearer to Ireland.
Like all nationalities they Irish gravitate to each other and we're no different.

Photo's.
1, Needs no introduction, this pint slid down like a cashmere jockstrap..

2, This poster is ironic, we actually sailed from Belturbet in County Cavan at the start of our adventures in the post here on TF as 'Ireland to the Mediterranean part 1' or you can get it in paper or e-book form from Amazon titled as 'Encore' by Geoff Woolley aka Irish rambler.

We know perfectly well of course that there are companies churning out replica posters, name plates and other memorabilia for Irish pubs around the world but they've usually picked up an old template from somewhere because I've checked out info on these posters in the past and it's been genuine, there are a few of course which are fake.
Remember 'Windmills and Wine' here on TF ? when we were in Antwerp we visited an Irish pub and I discovered I had personal recollection and experience of the memorabilia advertised.
The world is a smaller place than we think !

 

[Irish Rambler]

Some people came by aeroplane,
and some they came by car.
They came for sunny weather,
they came to see the sea.
Where did all these people come ?
Why of course, to old Mi ami.

 

[Irish Rambler]

Taking a cruise around the bay on a tour boat we discovered that 2 artificial islands had been built in the harbour bay in the early 1900's and these islands were now populated by the rich and famous, maybe you recognize some of them.

P.Diddy C.rap music, Julio Iglesias, Jackie Chan, Sylvester Stallone, Julia Roberts, David Beckham, J Lopez, Shakira some other previous occupants were Frank Sinatra , Al Capone and Elizabeth Taylor.
Of course their mansions reflect their ego's, I don't envy them one iota. We saw a similar setup in Empuriabrava in Spain and to be honest they don't have the freedom that we enjoy and they simply living in gold plated prisons.

Miami is rated as THE cruise ship capital of the Western world.

Photo's,
1, Entrance to one of celebrity populated islands.

2, Carnival and Celebrity cruise ships in Miami harbour.

3, Tour boat around Miami harbour.

4,Visiting Norwegian cruise liner.

5,We were surprised to see hotels staking their claims to beach area's, that not allowed in Europe.

6,One of Miami's marina's, is your boat here ?

7,8, This is around the rear port where the money is made.

9,This ones in a bit of a time warp.

 

[Irish Rambler]

Photo 1, a Pelican I spotted in the harbour and missed uploading it in the previous post..

No visit to Florida can be complete unless you've taken a trip to the Everglades. After many battles from developers around its fringes the Everglades is now a conservation area of 160 by 50 square miles.

Photo's
2, An airboat with tourists. These very shallow draft aluminium boats use an engine mounted horizontally with a direct drive to an aeroplane propeller with no g/box or clutch, steering is by vertical rudders behind the propeller. To move you simply start the engine, to stop you switch it off. these are all gasoline engines.
I must admit they'd be great for a speedy trip to go fishing, there are many fish in the Everglades and the most sought after for human consumption are the catfish and trout.

3, Is he a skipper or a pilot ?

4, Just look at the shallow draft, they can float on a snotter.

5,6, A few facts about the alligators living here.

7,8,9, Gators, Critter's, just plain alligators.

10, passengers ready to start their trip through the Everglades.

 

[Irish Rambler]

One of the things that's difficult to photograph is the appreciation of the civil engineering infrastructure.
Of course without the Romans inventing Putulanoeum none of it would be possible. Putulanoeum is of course concrete.
Travelling on superbly built highways the average guy wouldn't even give it a second thought, but look closer and you can see skill of the civil engineers when you realise the highway your travelling on is built across a swamp and its not sinking or splitting.
The multi storey buildings need solid foundations and you simply have to admire the skill of the people who built them.
Well done guys n gals I appreciate what you did so we can enjoy it.

 

[Irish Rambler]

Sadly our rtw trip is coming to an end as we head back to Europe. This time we flew TAP Portuguese airline and got a pleasant surprise. The service was good and the food was good by airline standards but what impressed us most was the skill of the pilot, he did a rolling start and gradually increased power during and up to take off, rather than full blast from the moment he got clearance. After 8 hours in the air we arrived at Lisbon and again the pilot surprised us with the softest perfect 3 point landing I've ever experienced, superbly done.
We layover for 3 hours waiting for our plane to Barcelona and we were impressed by Lisbon airport, all around the airport were aircraft movement boards, probably one every 30ft in the lounge areas and regularly in other areas, certainly no excuse for lack of information.
A short 2 hour hop brought us back to Barcelona, the start point of our aerial adventures.
The TGV, (train grand Vitesse) whisked us to Narbonne in grand style, then we got a shock ! it was just 3 degrees Celsius and windy, I think my gonads shot up under my armpits for warmth !
Narbonne is getting into full swing of preparing for Xmas so I thought you may like to see a few photo's of that.
We had an open door as our friends came to welcome us back and catch up on gossip and our travels.

Photo's.
1, A big ribbon on the keep, Santa Claus usually slides across the square on a rope suspended high above the square to the delight of the children and then appears in the middle window on the balcony next to the keep.
At the bottom of the photo workmen are installing an ice rink for everyone to have some fun.

2,A Ferris wheel for the young and not so young children.

3,These little sheds are shops selling everything from hot dogs to hot wine.

4,5,6. Self explanatory, Narbonne town arranges a Christmas eve Disney type parade around the town to everyone's delight.

The French tradition is to go to the church/chapel at 11 pm and then home to exchange presents and have their Xmas meal whereas our tradition is to exchange presents as soon as we get out of bed and our Xmas turkey dinner around 2 pm, just a different way of celebrating.

 

[Irish Rambler]

At various time I've mentioned the cost of living in different places and to show you here are the photo's.
The rate of exchange as I write this is 1 dollar=85 cents Euro.

Photo's.
1, Pineapple, 1.09, bear in mind its transported all the from Costa Rica while USA grow their own.

2,Green Cabbage, we were asked for 5 dollars in an American supermarket, Florida has the perfect climate for horticulture to grow this type of food..

3, Cauliflower, again 5 US dollars.

4, Lettuce, we were asked 4.50 dollars.

5, Bottle of sweet cider.6

6, Wine at 1.99, in the US 12 dollars and it's grown just up the road apiece.

7, A baguette at 35 cents, we were asked 4.50 at pier 39 in san Francisco and the same in Miami.

8,These are apple tarts, again 4 dollars in US.

9, Essential for a French breakfast but costs 4 dollars fifty from a 'French' bakery on pier 39, same price in Miami.

10,Italian Ciabatta bread, 5 dollars in America.

I make these observations as a passing tourist, the ingredients, man hours, transportation are virtually the same so why is there such a huge price difference ?
I'd heard so much about American steak my mouth was watering ever since I left Australia but we couldn't find a genuine American steakhouse. Like wise I wanted to try hominy grits, couldn't find any.
Bacon and eggs easy over ? no chance, the nearest I got was fatty streaky bacon burnt to a crisp and the eggs ordered easy over came to the table as scrambled.
I searched all around the area where we stayed, maybe if I hired a taxi and searched the town I would've got lucky.
Beer ranged in price from 3 dollars a can in the 'Happy Hour' at a pizza parlour up to 12 dollars in other venues and the worst rip off being 22 dollars in a restaurant.
I was so looking forward to visiting America and I fully understand we only saw a tiny fraction of it but what I saw, just the same as any other tourist, wouldn't encourage me to return which is very sad.
I apologize if I've caused anyone any offence but I am merely commenting as a stranger passing through.


What now for us ?
Xmas is just around the corner, then we're heading off for a week in the French Alps.
In February we're going to Krakow in Poland to visit Auschwitz concentration camp and the famous salt mines nearby.
I'd be happy to do a blog for you but I think you may find the photo's and commentary disturbing so I'll leave that decision to the Moderators here on Trawler Forum.
May we take this opportunity to thank you all for travelling with us, we enjoyed your company and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
May we, the crew of 'Snow Mouse', Geoff, my lady wife Evelyne wish each and everyone of you a Happy Healthy Christmas to everyone and a prosperous New Year.

 

[Irish Rambler]

As we're now on the shortest day of the year, 21st of December here in Narbonne, on the canal du Robine in the South of France I'll explain how the French traditionally celebrate Christmas.
Christian families build a crèche in a corner of their living room using little models and figurines depicting the birth of Christ, a Christmas tree is usually bought and decorated with baubles.
On Christmas eve the immediate family goes to 11 pm mass then return home for their festive meal.
Champagne is served as an aperitif and small children may be offered a heavily diluted small glass to taste.
A seafood entrée with oysters or prawns is served, followed by the carving of a roast turkey, a salad course is next, followed by variety of cheeses, and finally a dessert.
Especially fine wine is chosen for the meal and served by the glass to compliment each course, followed by coffee/Brandy or Whisky.
Family gifts are exchanged before everyone finally retires to bed satiated.
Christmas day families recover, other family members visit and exchange gifts.
Not many people send Christmas cards in France and reserve that ritual for New year when gifts for acquaintances would also be given.

Those of us of Irish/English descent differ in our celebrations.
Our living rooms are decorated with garlands, balloons and a Christmas fir tree with lights in the living room, presents for everyone are placed under the tree on Christmas eve night when the children are fast asleep, as soon as children in the house wake up in the morning they wake up the household and clatter downstairs to begin opening their presents.
Parents with hangovers have no choice but to get up and after a cup of tea with two aspirins to clear the headache usually sneak back to bed for quick a snooze when the children's excitement dies down.

Christmas eve is a social time for visiting friends in the pub for a bit of 'craic' (NOT the chemical variety). Irish 'craic' means jokes, fun and laughter.
Christmas day sees everyone go to either mass in the chapel for the Catholics or Xmas day service in the church for the Protestants.
The Christmas meal is traditionally a vegetable soup starter, turkey with sage and onion stuffing, brussel sprouts, carrots, roast and boiled potatoes of course. Dessert is usually Christmas pudding (a heavy fruit pudding made some months before laced with either Whisky or Brandy to conserve it), this is served hot,flambé with hot English custard.
Everyone eats too much and then layabout after the meal watching a film or snoozing.
The meal in the early evening is a buffet volonte of what's left over from the midday meal.
Most households buy much too large a turkey and turkey curry, turkey sandwiches, turkey this and turkey that feature on the menu for the next few days and finally finishes with a turkey/vegetable soup.


By the way have you read my post 'Windmills and Wine' ? if you did you may remember I spoke of different wine regions on our travels last year, one of which was the Morgon near Macon. I also mentioned in the Autumn that supermarkets feature 'Wine Fares' when vintners sell off older stock at low low prices to make way for the new crop of grapes.
We snapped up many sought after varieties during this period at great savings and a couple of cases of these were bottles of Morgon, an absolutely superb red which we lay down. We've been stockpiling these fine wines at very keen prices and have around a 100 laid down in our bilges and chain lockers for use on our travels next year.
Christmas gives us the opportunity to enjoy some of these little treasures.

Photo's.
1 Funfair for the family.

2, What better mooring could you have at Xmas.

3,4, 5, Different stalls selling models and figurines to build crèche in your family home.

6,7, Town hall and Ice rink in the square, we have no snow/ice its made by machine.

8,9. Small model deer in a Winter Wonderland feature for the children.
Deer are called Cere (Seer) in French.

Wherever you are in the world I will raise a glass to you all at 2pm on Christmas day. For those of you who have bought my books, a heartfelt thank you.
Wishing everyone Good Health, Peace and Prosperity. IR.

 

[Irish Rambler]

The Christmas Eve festivities in Narbonne on the canal du Robine include a parade for young old to enjoy.
We know some of you may be sunbathing in Canberra, Cairns, Bondi beach, Hawaii or Miami in 40 degrees of sunshine but here it's 8 degrees Celsius we've no snow either, this years chosen theme is 'Winter'.
After the parade the eclectic mix of live-aboards gather together for our own Christmas eve festive meal.
Every one brings along a Christmas present costing no more than 5 Euro, these are collected all together, later, after the meal a master of ceremonies hands every one a present.
We also bring along some speciality food of our own country and the food and drink is all shared by everyone, buffet style.
We're a mixture of Australians, Danish, Swedish, English, Irish and French, the common language being English, all with a love of the water in the brotherhood of the sea, rivers and canals.
Contributions to the meal ranged from pickled herring in cream on rye bread with dill, meatballs (Denmark). Beef pies (Australian), spicy meatballs (Swedish). Jumbo sausage rolls, sweet mince pies (English). Smoked Irish Salmon(Ireland) A cheeseboard of 10 varieties, (French). Copious bottles of peppered vodka, French champagne, wine and beer kept us well lubricated.
We had a terrific social evening of jokes, laughter, reminiscences of the past years cruising and plans for cruising in the coming 2018 season.
Afterwards the Cathedral bells called us at 10 pm to come and give thanks and celebrate the birth of Christ.

Photos.
1, Santa Claus's sleigh is pulled in front of the parade by a team of husky dogs.

2, The man himself sitting comfortably and watched over by the husky team driver.

3, The band played Christmas carols.

4, Snowmen/women frolicking.

5, I think its supposed to be a reindeer pulling a fairy, but its an ingenious use of a mini horticultural tractor.

6,Stilt walkers and solo drummer.

7,8,Polar bear in the 'snow'.

9, Firebrand display.

10, All the carousing is done, we've been on bended knee to give thanks and now everywhere is deserted as we weave our unsteady way back to our cruiser.

 

[Irish Rambler]

Well everyone that kinda wraps up 'Paddy's Flyin' blog, we've had a fabulous year and our round the world trip was just magic and we saw things we wanted to see (and some we didn't) and it was worth every penny.
Christmas and New year we spent in Narbonne with our live aboard friends was just magic, I'm afraid we made inroads into some of the fine wines we laid down for 2018, we were full of good intentions to keep some but hey, we only pass this way but once in life and the best laid plans make mice of men.
I can personally verify that the absolutely superb Morgon wines we collected on our way down the Rhone valley last year slid down like a Kashmir jock strap, tres magnifique !


Next up for us in 2018 ?
Ski-ing in the Alps for a week, then a cheapie 4 nights in Malta to catch the sun followed by a trip to Krakow in Poland to see Auschwitz concentration camp and the nearby (unrelated salt mines).
After that we're going home to Ireland for a mental refit.


Cruising ? Why of course, were going to travel between two sea's from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic via the canal du Midi, the canal Lateral a La Garonne and back, visiting the river Baise and if water levels permit the river Lot to visit the town of ? Condom, I kid you not.
Whatever you do in 2018, wherever you go, be happy and enjoy safe harbours in good health.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.