16 April On Monday we travelled from Diksmuide to Ypres (Ieper in Flemish). As I was incapacitated, we called on help from the WOBs (Women On Barges) network and ended up with 3 crew delivered to the boat by 9am. 4 barges lined up in Ypres port - Moondance in front, Silk Purse (Barrie and Carol), Rotterdam Diena (Alan and Sarah) and Eliza. Sarah Brown drove over her husband Alan, as well as Carol and Barrie Grant. Carol and Barrie were old friends as they were also moored at Diksmuide last October. But Sarah (who returned to Ypres) I only knew on-line. After we had paid our bill, we set off, and it was quite a social time. We had one mobile bridge and 2 locks to go through, so with Howard or Barrie on the helm, and Alan and Barrie doing ropes, and Carol and I doing the important work of catching up, we go to Ypres in time for a late lunch. We had to turn the boat and back in to moor on a finger pontoon, but with me assisting on the bow thruster, we got her moored up nicely. Howard is very pleased with his new bollards. Then, with Sarah joining us, we had a pleasant lunch. And in the evening we all went over to Carol and Barrie’s for a drink and dessert. A lovely start to our visit to Ypres. Injury update Initially I couldn’t raise my arm from the shoulder at all, although I had almost full use of my wrist and elbow – just a bit of swelling. Now I am able to slowly and carefully raise my arm above my head, so we are going to try a little bike ride this afternoon. I do have a very impressive bruise. There is no internet in the port here and we have only limited data so I will wait for a while before I blog in detail about Ypres. It is a lovely town, with lots of WWI history. We are learning a lot. Also Spring has finally arrived and we are getting days above 20 degrees C, so it is a glorious time.
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AuthorWe are sharing stories about and travels on our barge Moondance. Archives
August 2023
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