Montargis
We thoroughly enjoyed Montargis just as we had in 2007. This time, we got to explore more and do the "17 bridges walk". Unfortunately, we are slightly early in the year. Very soon, they will put planter boxes full of beautiful flowers everywhere but particularly on all the bridges. They also moor boats full of flowers on the small canals which thread through this old town- it is like a mini-Venice.
Other good things happened here.
1. Hooray! We drove to Dijon (500km round trip) for our chest X-rays, medical examinations and final interviews to confirm our long term visas. This is a daunting and expensive process and to date, it has cost well over 1,000euros and taken quite a bit of effort. The people were very helpful and we got a shiny new "Titre de Sejour" to accompany our visas. On top of that, they said we should be able to get a one year extension with little bother. This is something the French Consulate said was no longer possible. Excellent! So, we might not have to go through all this again next year but will not know for sure until a couple of months before opur return.
2. Our window (the double-glazed, armoured glass window that was made 35mm too wide) has been re-made and installed here in Montargis. Simon (the shipwright) had to do a lot of arguing to get it to happen. The company was happy to re-make the window which they had mucked-up but NOT at all happy to install it. Anyway, in the end they did it and the work happened quickly and professionally.
3. There were some patches of epoxy on the roof that did not dry properly. This was the second coat which went on late due to fog that morning. Some patches got affected by earlly dew. In the end, I had to cut out the epoxy and fiberglass clth and re-do the work. Well, it is finallky finished. So, the main wheelhouse roof is complete. In another week or two, we will lightly sand it, scrub it with scourers and detergent and then paint with high quality white marine paints. While finalising that roof, I made a start on repairing the aft roof which is a sun roof behind the wheelhouse. It was also poorly constructed and there were some even worse repairs made to rotting timber. I have now properly repaired it. The curved rounded edges still need to be removed and done properly plus we are going to paint it white but that can wait a little while longer.
4. The bathroom is fully operational again. Damaged piping repaired and replaced. All pipes insulated. Five panels now removable for inspection and repairs rather than the single panel previously. We have sponged and sucked 100litres of water from the under-floor area (after the burst pipe and bad/leaking jopins) but there is still more to get out. A further (estimated 150litres) was remoived by the bilge pumps. There is perhaps 50litres more to go. Yuk!
5. The bus alternator on the engine is working really well with my own-designed regulator. The tachometer is also working properly. It was connected some years agoi and the installer clearly did not understand how to set it up. I have changed the wiring and settings and it works perfectly for the first time.
Well, that's an update on the various projects. We have moved from Montargis and are now in Chatillon Coligny.
More later, Regards, Dave and Penny
