Soaking
New Member
Hi , we are in the first stages of planning 6 week trip down to the Med . Sounds lovely .... two girls and a dog will be coming too ... will we have a great time or will they find it boring ?? Anyone had a similar experience ?
French canals with kids ? ?
- Thread starter Soaking
- Start date
KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
The dog will love it! ….. the kids depends on whether they're 6 or 26 !
Seajet
...
All of you should love it.
Pushbikes would be a boon if possible, for exploring along the towpaths and getting into villages.
A video camera would be good too, this is the sort of trip to watch again inc when retired from boat ownership in future
Enjoy !
Pushbikes would be a boon if possible, for exploring along the towpaths and getting into villages.
A video camera would be good too, this is the sort of trip to watch again inc when retired from boat ownership in future
Enjoy !
JVL
Well-Known Member
Did the same trip years ago with my four, 10 and under they loved it ! The bikes are a good idea rough and ready mountain bikes will do. We would set little tasks for them ie go and buy the bread , liase with the travelling lock keepers on the smaller systems etc . Common sense applys , can they swim ? One of my girls had the distinction of falling in just about every place we berthed during two years as med liveabords! Go for it the life experiences the kids will gain are priceless.
John
We did a barge delivery from S.France to Westminster with my mate's 7-yr old, she loved it. And 20 yrs later she still likes to remind me about the time I crashed into the lock gates:redface-new:
Definitely take bikes.
Definitely take bikes.
jeanpaulcopie
Well-Known Member
You'll love it, the kids also, but should'nt enjoy the wine! The dog also... but how back with it to UK?
Mud Lark
Member
We did it South to North in Autumn 1999 with our three year old. It really was very boring for the most part. We travelled every day for 7 or 8 hours and it took 4 weeks plus a week's stay in Paris.
If the children are old enough to cycle that will make a big difference.
My non-child related advice?
1 If you're mast is longer than your boat consider sending it by road. It made the locks a challenge having 6 feet of mast sticking out each end.
2. Get a decent long boarding plank as the canals are V shaped and you often can't tie up close to the bank.
3. Some sort of cover over the steering position makes life a lot pleasanter if you have a lot of rain.
4. Carry plenty of fuel,. There weren't many petrol stations near the canals and I don't remember being able to get fuel alongside between Avignon and the Seine.
ML
If the children are old enough to cycle that will make a big difference.
My non-child related advice?
1 If you're mast is longer than your boat consider sending it by road. It made the locks a challenge having 6 feet of mast sticking out each end.
2. Get a decent long boarding plank as the canals are V shaped and you often can't tie up close to the bank.
3. Some sort of cover over the steering position makes life a lot pleasanter if you have a lot of rain.
4. Carry plenty of fuel,. There weren't many petrol stations near the canals and I don't remember being able to get fuel alongside between Avignon and the Seine.
ML
Laurin
Well-Known Member
We did it 2 years ago. Blog is www.svlaurin.blogspot.com.