Mango Tango

Saturday 3rd May 2014

What a fantastic day we have had today. We awoke to our first proper sunshine for ages. There were still a few clouds and the wind was still blowing but we had blue sky and sun .... whoooooo! This was our view from bed this morning....



Before going to bed last night we had promised ourselves that if the weather was better today we would have our first paddle in the kayak...which has been strapped to the roof of Bluebelle in hopeful anticipation for about a month now!

We couldn’t wait to launch her, but first came the painful process of dressing for the occasion. Billy was heard to ask if she could wear her bed socks as there was quite a chilly wind blowing....the suggestion was just laughed off..Billy had to man up!!!!

Yesterday, in the super duper market we had brought a bottle of pink fizz (only 2 Euros) for the launch naming ceremony of our kayak. We had an amusing 5 minutes...fuelled by Desperados..trying to come up with a name for her last night and we have settled on ‘Mango Tango”! Not so strange in the cold sober light of day as she is that colour and will take the two of us. So, with all the dignity required of the occasion, Simon cracked open the bottle and doused her in fizz naming her ‘Mango Tango’...and off we went!

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Getting ready to go[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_406" align="aligncenter" width="480"] I name this vessel Mango Tango![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_407" align="aligncenter" width="640"] It takes two to Tango!![/caption]

 

It was a little choppy out on the water and the sun was intermittent to say the least, but we had a fantastic time...we entered the canal next to the campsite where the water was much calmer and the wind was almost non existent....we just drifted, watching the fish jumping out of the water, the swallows dipping and diving and listening to the water lapping up against the side of MT. It was idyllic, that is until an enormous boat came the other way and nearly ran us over...

[caption id="attachment_409" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Eeeeek![/caption]

and then we came across a lock with a weir aside it...

[caption id="attachment_411" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Not going over this one[/caption]

so not wanting to take a chance with our brand new MT we made a hasty retreat back to the lake where we were bombarded by waves and wind but we pushed on to take a look at the beaches the other-side of our campsite. We definitely have the best spot on the lake we decided.

By the time we arrived back at shore we were both very soggy and cold so it was a scoot up to the showers to get warm again, before setting up the deck chairs for a spot of sunbathing and some lunch. Earlier on today I tried out a spot on the top of Bluebelle for sunbathing...I think it will be perfect...and I get a fantastic view!

[caption id="attachment_415" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The view from here is amazing...[/caption]

This afternoon was a very relaxed lazy one...we snoozed in the sun, played boules....not as seriously as the French though... and then popped off to the shop ...the super duper market... and stocked up with food for the next few days. We both have panniers on our bikes so we are able to carry all the shopping home easily. Tea tonight was BBQ steak, veg kebabs and homemade chips! This excess weight will never shift will it???

We both have a warm glow from the sun today, we are relaxed, complete and happy :0))) x

p.s Happy Birthday Mmi xxx