These are the adventures of Andy and Sally Rawnsley on their narrowboat "The Puzzler". We have been living on the boat for over nine years now and are still loving it. Our Ulster born Shih Tzu, Shannon, has grown up, and has taken over the boat! After three wonderful years in Ireland, we transported The Puzzler to The Netherlands, and spent a year there. In 2015 we went southwards, to reach the north of France by June. After glorious weather throughout the summer, we arrived in Roanne in late October, and enjoyed our winter in this friendly port. We cruised extensively in France in 2016, 2017 and 2018, returning to Roanne each winter.


Saturday 25 November 2017

7th - 19th November 2017. Fuel delivery before the Roanne Port Dinner. Shannon likes the autumn leaves, and a kingfisher appears on a wall by the port.


We have taken the easy option this year to fill up with diesel from a tanker. It is a great deal easier than carrying it to The Puzzler in containers!

The Port Dinner was held in the Capitainerie function room this year.


There were 45 boaters from the Port of Roanne here.

A good time was had by all.


Come on now! This is a serious photo!


Les Français s'amusent.


It is nice to see Hervé, our capitaine, here too.

Katya and Jeremy, from L'Authentique, prepared a splendid meal for all of us.



A lot of bushes have been cleared, near to the river Loire.


The stepping stones are easy to use, when the water is as low as this.



Shannon loves to play in all the fallen leaves.


Meanwhile, at the end of the port, a kingfisher is appearing on a building.

By lunchtime on the second day, the background is nearly complete, and our artists are starting on the kingfisher.



By late afternoon it is nearly finished.


What a masterpiece!

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