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Barney and Diane

a travel blog by barneyanddiane

This will detail Barney and Dianes adventures around the world on whichever yacht they happen to be on in the summer and wherever they ski in the winter
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Winter 2008 we spent in Klosters in Chalet Eugenia

Klosters Platz, Switzerland


Sunset above Klosters

Chalet Eugenia with lots of snow
From November 2007 to April 2008 we worked in the Beautiful Chalet Eugenia in Klosters Switzerland. Diane as the manager and Barney as Maintenance Assistant for the area.

Diane Skiing on an away day to Austria

Barney skiing

A good time was had by all with lots of hard work interrupted with a bit of skiing.

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on April 23, 2008 from Klosters Platz, Switzerland
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A longer trip to england in the spring

Bristol, United Kingdom

We spent the Spring in the UK visiting friends and relatives. We managed to include two weddings, a 90th birthday, a stag weekend, a USA visa interview, a weekend on the Gower with the kids and a few random parties.

Craig and Tammys wedding

Granny Mary's 90th birthday dinner in Bristol


Weekend on the Gower with Fiona, Lindy, Rory and Josie

The start of Craigs stag weekend, in a curry house of course

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on May 30, 2008 from Bristol, United Kingdom
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In June we headed for the USA to buy a yacht

Orlando, United States


They hurt if they get you
After much planning we finally decided that we may just be able afford to buy a yacht. Barney spent every spare moment searching the web for any yachts that we could afford, he could fit in and would float. After much deliberation and spreadsheet analysis it turned out that they were all in Florida, so off we went.


Look at those snappers
Mostly looking at boats, interspersed with palm trees and alligators.


Orlando FLorida
We even managed a trip to a theme park in the hieght of summer. We quickly realised that although fun for a while, we needed a slower boat.


Barney at Barneys



permalink written by  barneyanddiane on June 4, 2008 from Orlando, United States
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Found it

Fort Pierce, United States


A boat that needed love
After much search we found the boat for us, and Sea Gal was her name.


First launch
After a quick survey and cheking that the engine started she was launched ( we handed over lots of cash too) and we were yacht owners.


Still floating
We spent a few days fixing up the essentails and filling her full of food, beer, water, diesel and all the 'stuff' we had bought for our new home. Then we were off.



permalink written by  barneyanddiane on July 4, 2008 from Fort Pierce, United States
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On the move

Fernandina Beach, United States

We found out that if we removed the boat from Florida within 10 days then we could avoid paying tax. So the race was on. We serviced the engine, spent lots of money on essential equipment, everything from bedding to outboards, lifejackets to teapots, and we were ready. Luckily for us there is a system of waterways and canals up the east coast of the USA, so we could ease ourselves gently into the strengths and quirks of Sea Gal.

Sailing up the ICW

So we were off and heading north. Some bridges we went under.

3 foot to spare

Others had to open for us.

Bascule Bridge

We watch the world go by accompanied by Pelicans and Dolphins.
At night we anchored away from the crowds.

Peacefuly at anchor

Mostly enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, apart from at 3 o'clock when it rains in Florida.

Rain in Florida at 3pm

A common sight in the southern states are shrimp boats.

Shrimp boat in South Carolina

But mostly lots of open space and wetlands.

Wet lands of Georgia

Once we left Florida we could slow down and take it even easier.

Swimming in the pool

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on July 10, 2008 from Fernandina Beach, United States
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Slowly heading North

Savannah, United States


Quiet anchorage

We slowly headed North. Visiting a few towns such as Savannah Georgia, but mainly staying to the smaller quieter spots. We travelled a couple of days a week and spent the rest either lazing about of fixing and cleaning the boat. The first big priority was the fridge, after much swearing and spending of money we eventually installed a new one and beer was once again cold.

happy skipper

We also managed to get the oven to work and we enjoyed the fresh bead that Di baked.

Di first baking on Sea Gal

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on July 30, 2008 from Savannah, United States
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Into the Chesapeake

Annapolis, United States

To continue North into the Chesapeake Bay we used the Dismal Swamp Canal.

The dismal swamp

Very pleasant despite its name, probably more dismal for the slaves who dug it.
We also enjoyed traversing the only lock on the waterway.

Locking through the Dismal swamp

Once into the Chesapeake bay we sailed to Annapolis to a large boat show.

Annapolis sunset

On leaving Annapolis we had the pleasure on sailing with the annual Chesapeake Bay schooner race.

Schooner race Annapolis


Schooner race Annapolis

We saw some beautiful old boats, including this one, probably Kierans next !

Schooner race Annapolis

Work continued on the boat, with Barney mostly under the engine ( look carefully )

Barney under the engine

And Diane created a beautiful leather wheel cover from a small cow.

Di sewing our new wheel cover

As the weather got colder Diane dressed up in some fetching new accessorise.

It gets chilly in the Chesapeake in October

Soon it was time to put the boat to bed and head back to the alps.
We lifted the boat to store in a yard in Deltaville Virginia.

Lifting in Deltaville




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on October 15, 2008 from Annapolis, United States
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Quick trip to UK

Bristol, United Kingdom

After Sea Gal was put to bed we headed back to the UK for a week to catch up with family and friends just in time for bonfire night.

Fireworks November '08

Barney also had time to see his beautiful Neice and Nephew

Josie, Barney and Rory Autumn '08

It was also Granny Mary Taylors 90th Birthday ( again )

Granny Mary Taylor and Alex and 90th Birthday

After a quick rest it was back to the Alps.

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on November 1, 2008 from Bristol, United Kingdom
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Off to the Alps for the winter

Moutiers, France

Well it was off to France for our 2nd season with Descent. We started with a training course in a hotel in Brides-le-Bains near Moutier in France. Diane did a sterling job of organizing the hotel and the logistics of the training, with plenty of spreadsheets of course. Barney fixed a few things, and learnt how to set fire to stuff. Mainly some tissue hot air baloons on the last night.

Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08


Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08


Paper hot air balloons. Descent training '08

permalink written by  barneyanddiane on December 15, 2008 from Moutiers, France
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Off to Davos in Switzerland

Davos Dorf, Switzerland

}After training it was off to find our new home for the winter. The beautiful Tivoli Lodge. Right on the slope, very new chalet with all the satellite, and wifi we could need. Also a wonderful pool to enjoy ( and fix ).

Chalet Tivoli


Chalet Tivoli


View from CHalet Tivoli


Lucy, Ali, Helena and Diane. CHalet TIvoli staff
First order of the day was to meet the new team. Helena , Ali, Lucy and Ayshea.

Aysha, Lucy and Alex. Chalet Tivoli staff


Lucy, Helena, Alex, Christmas 08
Then Christmas seemed to turn up pretty fast.

Lucy and Ayshea, chalet TIvoli staff


Ali and his beloved snow thrower
It kept snowing and Ali kept clearing it away.


The ski touring group Davos '09
We managed plenty of skiing on our days off, and especially memorable day was taken with Tony ski touring. Basically walking up mountains and skiing off-Piste down them. Pretty knackering for us unfit people. But great views.



Off piste skiing in Davos


Off piste skiing in Davos


Phil Smith tromping up


Near the end now Di


Off piste skiing in Davos


Off piste skiing in Davos


Off piste skiing in Davos


Barney at the top of the world


DI skiing Davos

Di's new helmet

Getting arty




permalink written by  barneyanddiane on December 20, 2008 from Davos Dorf, Switzerland
from the travel blog: Barney and Diane
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