Patrick had identified a place called Gunn that he thought might be a good alternative to Valence for a night. As we approached we realised it was a sailing club and happily moored up alongside the pontoon with the Fluvia Halt sign only to be told that a boat was coming at 3pm and we'd have to move. After further conversation with me listening to the French rather than Patrick the man said one of the other boats was moving before then and we could just move backwards... result!
After finishing lunch Patrick called me on deck to say the other boat had arrived and wasn't too pleased, so again I got my schoolgirl French out and tried to understand. I THINK the tourist boat comes on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on these days he has priority. Anyway, the captain just asked us to go alongside the German boat behind us for when he returned in the evening which was fine as we hadn't really left enough room for him.
After seeing the captain strip off and swim, Esmé wanted to know if she could swim so we pumped up the paddleboard, got our swim stuff on and all had a very welcome swim. The kids got brave and were jumping off the boat, and both Pat and I played on the paddleboard as well as swimming.
During this time Eric the German returned and we talked to him about rafting outside him later on. Patrick learned that he was single handing and had taken his boat down to the Balearics earlier in the year and was now taking her back to Germany. I suggested we invited him for dinner as I guess single handing could get lonely at times.
I cooked Thai Curry and Eric brought us German Beer and the kids some snacks. We talked about our different trips and he laughed with the kids. After dinner he went back to his boat and brought out an accordion which he played for us which reminded us of lovely nights listening to Bru play his guitar for us. The kids were delighted, and even more so when Eric asked if they wanted a go!
It seemed to be an evening of memories as Eric reminded me of the father of one of my university friends. I remember him taking us out for curry when he came to visit us at Liverpool University as well as always making us feel welcome at his house, giving us an open invitation regardless of whether his son was there or not. He was genuinely interested in his son's friends and enjoyed having them around. Other than my Mum and Dad, he and his wife are one of only a handful of people I aspire to be like as a parent.
Eric continued the evening by performing a magic trick and then trying to teach the kids how to do it too. Esmé was amazed and AJ loved learning how to do it.
Days like today were the reason for this adventure. Having fun as a family, meeting new people, and learning new things.
Love it 💖💖💖👍
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