Alouette is a Luxemotor barge built in 1910 in Zwartsluis, Holland. She was first used as a cattle transporter, and later as a shrimp fishing boat. In 2002, she was lovingly converted by a British couple into a liveaboard barge. We are her third owners - Randy and Deborah, two Americans from Colorado who escaped corporate life in search of an adventure. After a few years of searching for the right adventure, we discovered the barging life. Having sailed for most of our adult lives, it seemed a perfect fit. We spent another year looking for the right barge and in the summer of 2010 found her in Roanne, France. We've renamed her Alouette - the Lark. And so in her 100th year, together with our two Russian Blue cats, we're shoving off for a life on the canals and rivers of Europe.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Printemps (Spring!)

Each morning now we head over to the lock to say goodbye to friends leaving for their annual cruising season.  Yesterday it was our good buddies and fellow Tucsonans, Jack and Jadel, and their dog Bernie, on their beautiful 29 meter barge, Deja Vu. 
Jadel on the bow lines

Karen, from Eleanor, with her morning cupp', and Jack in his U of Az shirt

Bernie, suddenly camera shy
I have to admit I was a bit misty-eyed to see them go, we've shared much laughter, our volunteer Wednesdays at the Community Food Bank in Tucson, and the sorrow of the Giffords shootings with Jack and Jadel.  Bon Voyage amigos!

We returned to Alouette for coffee on board with Andrew and Laurel.  As they were leaving, Laurel spotted the first ducklings of the season, a mama with two fluffy babies, swimming near the boat.  I ran back in to grab my camera, but mama cautiously led the ducklings away so no baby pictures today. 
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