Strasbourg Boat Yard

What a difference a year can make.  The weather has been fantastic.  Just like spring is supposed to be. 

We’re not moving and will be in the docks for at least another few days.  We need a part for the engine filter and have a lot of cleaning.  Last year we concentrated on learning to maintain and maneuver the boat through the waters.  We did not do a much needed deep clean as the weather was wet and cold.  Yesterday we started the detailed cleaning.  It took us both four hours just to do the area around the outside wheel with its panel of gauges, corners, crevices and various kinds of surfaces.  This is the high traffic area where we go in and out of the boat and from where we drive, eat meals and lounge in the evening.  The teak deck was filthy.  It was a hands and knees job scrubbing layers of grime.   We still have lots of areas to wash and a huge waxing job.  Even though we were tired last night we felt happy knowing we are getting Armida looking her best. 

The dock is in a little finger of water off the river that runs through Strasbourg.  We are abut 2 miles from the old town and there is a tram about a 1/4 mile walk  as well as modern really nicely designed mall with stores and multiplex theater.  The underground parking structure is incredibly well organized.   You drive down and on the ceiling at the end of each parking row there is a lit sign that tells you how many parking places are open.  You turn down one of the lanes and each parking place has a red, green or blue light on the ceiling above the trunk area.  Red being used, green open and blue large handicapped.  Each spot has it’s own number, ie 503 or 1714, row 5, spot 3 etc.  It’s a fairly big place so the walking paths have signs and directions to lifts and escalators to certain stores.  And its pretty and clean down there.  As is everywhere.

Here is a photo of one side of the water showing the buildings and cranes that were used to unload the big barges onto trains until after WWII.  The tracks have been pulled up many years ago and are now forest and park. 

In the other direction you see our neighboring boats and the new fitness center in the back ground. Seven of the boats are year round homes for two singles and five couples.  German, Dutch and French.  If you can see the boat furthest away has the best set up. They have the parking for their old van which they use for storing tools and things.  The cloths line is attached from the back to the fence.  They have their camper van and two small motor cycles as well.  There are big planters on the walk with last years dead flowers that have yet to be planted anew.  They have a washing machine, bar-b-q and many friends and visitors.  Really nice people.  On the other side of the River are the pleasure cruisers who don’t need to use the showers on this side. 

We got to see the Royal wedding live at 12N our time.  The Brits invited us.  She, Sandy, decorated the boat with little flags of union jacks, hearts and the royal crest.  They served finger food and the napkins where the Union Jack with a heart in the middle.  Both we and The New Zealanders, who we met last year, brought champagne.  It was a lovely time and we all enjoyed the pageantry.The bride was stunning!

Doggies love the boat and have settled into the routine. 

Today is May 1st, Labor day and nothing is running, including the public transport.  It is a Sunday and they don’t move the holiday to a weekday – there are rumors of a strike tomorrow as the unions still want their time off.