My rantings about impossible people was meant to help me vent. Ongoing comedy material continues to be how a barrel of oil is decreasing in value. Sounds like the sky is falling on the petroleum companies when they describe this on the news. Yet, now we have a reality show when we go to the grocery store figuring out what is good & healthy yet doesn’t cost a lot.
Reading,”The Terror Conspiracy: Deception, 9/11 and the Loss of Liberty” Jim Marrs ISBN# 978-1-932857-43-6 This book mentions witness who heard controlled demolition in WTC 1&2 before the buildings collapsed. Supposed to be pancake theory how the buildings collapsed. I’m not wanting to start another online gossip war; I just want to know the truth and not some story from washington d.c. which media embraces. A lot people want to know the truth. “In 1997, six international companies and the government of Turkmenistan formed Central Asian Gas Pipeline,Ltd. {Centgas} to build a 790-mile-long pipeline to link Turkmenistan’s natural gas reserves with Pakistan and perhaps on to the New Delhi area of India.” page 176 “The Terror Conspiracy” Jim Marrs ISBN# 978-1-932857-43-6 This explains why afganistan was invaded. If somone could invent a pipeline to move illegal drugs, our government could build pipelines for that,too. The trails I’ve been on, I’m astounded how our media can create stories like on CNN saturday nights. Geez, if I was running CNN each journalist would be scouring the earth for positive stories.

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The reason why you are told stories about me is local intimidation coordinated with stories you are told are meant to run me into the ground. This select group people will be paid when I get ran into the ground. And, this doesn’t reflect on Coeur d’Alene ID since this is a small local group people. If you have a problem with me explaining myself why don’t you tell me about it. For some unknown reason, your intimidation and stories could be a great comedy movie.

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Tuesday, 22nd July, 2008
Hamburg, Germany

I was vague in my anticipation of Hamburg. The main purpose of our visit was to make face to face contact with Bernd, a long time friend of Anne, and his family.
Bernd is a great character and reminds me of the late Victor Borger. He is a strong advocate of Hamburg and acted as our guide and chauffeur. We also met his wife and elder daughter, both charming, and visited their home. Here we were introduced to a German cult film of an English comic, Freddy Frinton in a comedy sketch called “Dinner for One”. I had never heard of it but it has been popular in Germany for some forty years or so. It seems to be broadcast by several tv cannels every Christmas eve and people base theme parties on it.
Hamburg is very interesting. I think the city fathers have a sense of humour, judging from the waste bins with funny messages and one square where the street breaks up into waves.
The tower of St. Nicolas was a sobering experience. It records the British fire bombing of Hamburg during the second world war and also the German blitz of Coventry and the destruction of Warsaw. Sensitively done.
The Church of St Michael drew us back for a second visit. The architectural style was unique - and we have seen a lot of Churches in our time. It reminded us of a Methodist chapel, probably because of the balcony but there were also aspects of Georgian architecture, Art Nouveau and even a window high above the altar which looked like the captain’s cabin stern windows on an old square rigger.
My sense of humour was tickled when for our first dinner in Hamburg we went to a Portuguese restaurant. We have also eaten Curry Wurst, a Hamburg speciality. We also came across a international cuisine fair in one Hamburg square so had an African lunch: in my case, baked bananas, beans and rice and for Anne spinnach and yam.
Our visits included a tour of the parliament and city government building, the Rathaus. The English language tour was conducted by a French guide. We also went with Bernd and his family to a display of water fountains and lights played to the accompaniment of classical music. Fortunately, the rain held off that evening, but we still got somewhat damp from the spray from the fountains blown in our direction by the wind.
On Sunday morning we rose early and went to the fish market plus other stalls. We arrived at 7 a.m. to find the place buzzing. Hamburgians know how to enjoy themselves despite the weather.
The harbour of Hamburg is huge even though it is some 70 kilometres from the sea. Bernd took us for a drive through an old tunnel under the North arm of the Elbe and later over a very high bridge above the South channel.
Barrie

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Hello
With the appropriate authority
To make follow S’ you like it want to take note
that cancelle my mobile automatic dialling unit E-mail
Thus not to renew the contract
My device information is
device model:
To compose PMID number: 30044335
Software version: 4.04
DSP host version.1.01
DSP modem version: 2.02
Thank you for your attention
Pauline Thibeautl

20th July, 2008
Hamburg, Germany

11th July, 2008
Hanover: cast off 09.07
70 kilometres, 1 lock
junction with Elbe Lateral Canal: moored 15.44
The junction of the Mitteland Kanal with the Elbe Lateral canal is a large triangle of water. Thus although we were moored at the edge of the water the passing barges created little wash that reached us. It was a peaceful night.

12th July, 2008
junction with Elbe Lateral Canal: cast off 09.18
79.6 kilometres, 1 lock
Bevensen: moored 17.20

We started following a barge into the Elbe lateral canal. I thought this might hold us up but the barge gradually drew away from us. We were delighted to see an eagle glide by the boat looking for prey along the canal bank. The scenery was attractive with fir tree woods lining both banks and later the canal was the high point of the countryside affording us splendid views over the surroundings. Heavy rain fell briefly around 11.30 but was replaced by bright sunshine.
Ulzen lock, our only one today, took us by surprise. We had been used since arriving in Germany to walk our ropes down a succession of bollards set into the lock wall one above the other. Here there were floating bollards, which we did not see until a crew member from the barge in front came back to put our ropes on. One feels quite embarrassed at times and German spoken over a tannoy sounds so irritated. There was also a difference in cultural practice. In England the courteous rule is that the first to arrive at a lock is the first in and then the first out. This does not apply in Germany where everyone strives to be first into a lock or marina or harbour. So it was with this lock when the cruiser which had moored behind us to await the lock jumped ahead of us on the approach, shot out when the lock had emptied and took the last free mooring place at Bevensen. Actually, the place would have been too small for us and we eventually found a place at the far end of the barge moorings kindly directed there by the crew of the German cruiser. It also gave us a ringsie seat wachting a double length barge and push-tug breast up for the night against a single barge and another single barge ease its way to moor inside the double length one. Neat boatmanship. Other barges that went past before night fell did so very gently. Another good night.

13th July, 2008
Bevensen: cast off 10.12
47.6 kilometres, 1 ship lift
Geesthacht: moored 14.46
A sunny day. Lovely countryside. The novelty of today’s trip was the ship lift. We arrived in the wake of six other boats and another followed us in. The total fall of the lift was 38 metres. It was so smooth there was hardly a ripple on the water as we descended. The exit was a scramble of boats which eventually sorted itself into a convoy with us in the lead and two boats disappearing into the distance ahead of us. And so to the river Elbe: a delightful river with yachts sailing, commercial barges moving and power cruisers wending their way between the lot. Above Geesthacht lock I tried to find the entrance to a marina marked on the chart, picked the wrong channel and ran aground. Charlie Dee slid herself neatly off whatever was underneath and just left me to turn her round in a channel barely wider than her length. We moored in another marina where we were welcomed by people who had witnessed our running aground.

14th July, 2008
Geesthacht: cast off 11.10
34 kilometres, 1 lock
Hamburg: moored 15.13
Straight out of the marina and into the lock. Once again German over the tannoy as we approached. No idea what he was saying but we were not going to be rushed into silly mistakes today. We moored behind another cruiser and only as we were leaving the lock about fifteen minutes later noticed that the other lock wall was smooth whereas the one against which both boats were moored was corrugated piling, not so comfortable. There were no floating bollards in this lock so we walked our ropes down in customary manner. It was a long way to Hamburg ad we were struggling with the imprecision of the chart in our pilot book. Fortunately, there was a photograph of Hamburg City Sporthafen, which gave us some landmarks for which to look. By the time we found it the wind had got up which swung the boat while we were stationary in the entrance of the marina conducting a shouted conversation with the hafen maester on the pontoon. So in trying to straighten up we caught the port hull against a piece of metal guarding one of the posts. Then when we were trying to moor on a pontoon by the light ship Charlie Dee surprised me by swinging against the wind and nearly getting us caught under the light ship’s superstructure overhang. Someone from a neighbouring boat took our bow line and the harbour master took another rope. What never ceases to surprise me is that people try to pull boats into a pontoon by just pulling on the rope. We would have been in further trouble had I not managed to get ashore and put a line round the pontoon bollard before swigging the boat into the pontoon.
The scrape to the port hull was repaired a few days later with two part epoxy.
Barrie

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Since our last e-mail, we have been moving SLOWLY towards Ottawa. From Davis Lock we moved on to the town of Westport for the night, staying at the town dock.

The next morning we moved from Upper Rideau Lake through the Narrows Lock into Big Rideau Lake to Colonel By Island, which is owned by Parks Canada, where we docked on the inside of the main dock. This was fortunate as the winds really piped up later in the day and continued into the evening period and the boats on the outside of the dock did a lot of bouncing.

Before the winds piped up we took the dinghy into the Village Of Portland for a look-see and then on returning to Falkor went swimmimg in some of the clearest water I have ever seen. This was followed by a 2 mile hike around the nature trail and then another cooling off swim.

There is an old cottage on the Island which at one time was a very fancy place, where the owner entertained guests the likes of David Niven and Paul Anka.

The following morning saw us moving on into Lower Rideau Lake to the approach wall tie up at Lower Beveridges Lock. Here we again put the dinghy in the water and locked up the two Beveridges locks into the Tay Canal to the town of Perth.

We had a wonderful dinghy ride along the Tay Canal and through the Tay Marshes to Perth. A beautiful town with the Tay River running through it. Perth was voted the Prettiest Town in Ontario by TVOntario recently and it not hard to see why.
We again had an enjoyable dinghy ride back to Falkor and a welcome swim.

Leaving the Beveridges lock we travelled a short distance to Poonamalie Lock, we stopped for the day and again took electricity as the air conditioning was appreciated on a very hot, humid day.
At Poonamalie we swam and walked the nature trail to the dam which controls the water level in both Big Rideau and Lower Rideau Lake. It cooled off nicely by bed time and then I awoke at 3 a.m. to close up as a thunderstorm rumbled through.

The last two days of travel we have not take Falkor through any locks, although the dinghy has four to her credit.

Friday morning saw us off to Smiths Falls, two locks and one swing bridge away. This weekend is their Chocolate, Railway and Music Festival, so as well as doing the cruising things (laundry, groceries, a visit to Canadian Tire etc.) we will take in a few of the weekend’s activities. We have an excellent tie up on the back side of the approach wall to the combined lock, private and quiet as you can get with a music festival on in the nearby park.

It is now pouring out with heavy thunder and lightening all around but cooling off nicely. The wind is so strong that we are rocking and rolling on the calm waters as there is virtually no fetch.

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I finished reading,”The American” author Henry James My comedy outreach program has helped me understand local gossipers better then I need to. Laughing at the local gossipers sometimes isn’t a good solution. Yet, local gossipers driven by greed factor do keep me close to reality. Coping skills continue to help me not turn into a gossiper.
I believe walking away from this subject, so I don’t start another situation meant to put me on a guilt trip.
Reading,”Target the West” Yossef Bodansky , I’m getting more knowledge about “Islamic Jihad” roots from 1930’s forward when Palestine area had jewish people move there. Yet, since the 7th century, there has been terrorism. I did realize if you find out your friend or relative believes joining a radical group is a solution, explain to them how long they could spend in federal jail without trial. Showing them state law concerning a radical group with intent to committ a crime and how long they would spend in a prison sometimes will stop them.
My own situation and how I fought past government non lethal weapons explaining my story to local law enforcement actually kept me going. Yeah, at one time I knew I could be arrested for telling the truth, except when I found out my local enemy was lying to law enforcement that gave me more strength. Currently, I would still say no comment to any local journalist about this situation.

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My green okra finally broke thru the dirt. Yeah, I planted green okra in the garden where I live. I figure if I run into a woman who only needs okra, I will give her some okra and then get her to the spokane airport.
Local communication gap can’t be solved by growing green okra. I wanted to plant $100 bills but that may make the local zombi moochers to cry.
My comedy outreach program hasn’t been tested lately. Part time work has kept me from gossiping. I believe the local gossipers could outsource overseas ie gossip about my life so more people could be paid to gossip about me. Problem is foreign language would need to be changed to the english language. I’ve been planning to deliver candy and roses to my friend but the local gossipers heads may explode from too much gossip material. So, I will keep playing cribbage at starbucks with my friend.
Gas and diesl prices locally: 399 9/10 Reg 484 9/10 Diesl Shell gas station Ironwood Drive & Government Way 07-14-2008

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Thursday, 10th July, 2008
Hannover, Germany

Journey details since the last journal entry:-
Friday, 4th July, 2008
Dorsten: cast off 09.09
32.6 kilometres, 4 locks.
Datteln: moored 14.55
We have come to the conclusion that if one is lucky it takes half an hour to negotiate a German lock. If unlucky, an hour. Today was lucky and with four locks that trimmed two hours off our passage planning for the day. Luck usually entails being behind a commercial barge and entering the lock on its coat tails. The reverse side of that coin is that most barges move at a slightly or very slower speed than Charlie Dee so the time between locks extends. It is a frequent sight to see an approaching barge with its following entourage of pleasure cruisers; a bit like fishing boats followed by seagulls. I have only seen one other pleasure boat overtake a barge and that was yesterday.
The weather was overcast but saved the best until the end of our journey.
We left the lock at Datteln and I noticed that the barge we had been following was proposing to turn to starboard at the T junction ahead and we were turning to port. So I opened up and passed the barge in the wide expanse of water below the lock. We swung toward port only to be confronted by double red lights. The canal was closed! Then we thought that perhaps we had been mistaken and that we should have turned right and looked for the canal we wanted later. I have to say that the charts that we are using in the German pilot book are more representational than accurate. We turned to starboard and set off along the canal cautiously but recognised the features we were passing. We were going the wrong way. Another 180 degree turn took us back toward the T junction but as we passed a moored boat someone came on deck and called to us that the canal was closed. At this point the rain came down in torrents; the thunder rolled. Another 180 degree turn and we moored behind a Danish yacht. All about us were moored barges. The rain stopped. One of the bargees came across to us and said that the canal would be open at ten o’clock tonight. He had some difficulty with English which he explained was because he was learning Polish. It was not clear if the canal would, however, be open still tomorrow and the language barrier prevented his understanding the question. He also pointed to the quay behind us which had blue triangles on it, the sign for hazardous cargo barges. I checked my CEVNI regulations. We were not supposed to moor within 10 metres of a barge showing one blue triangle.
The bargee returned to his boat and then as we were thinking of casting off and finding a marina further down the canal, he came back to us and said that a police launch was coming to see us “to ask a few questions”. Why is it that even with a clear conscience such a statement raises some alarm? The police launch arrived about five minutes later. A young policeman (I am of the age when all policemen look young.) came on the bow and told us in faultless English that the canal would be open at ten o’clock and yes it would remain open tomorrow. He then asked us to move along the quay one bollard and close up to the stern of the Danish yacht. Even so we were outside the area designated for small boats but the rest of the area was occupied by barges. We expected lots of barges to move off at ten that night but none did.

Saturday, 5th July, 2008
Datteln: cast off 09.09
57 kilometres, 1 lock.
Fuestrup: 15.35
The Dortmund and Ems canal was open this morning and we could guess why it had been closed. The first few kilometres were full of canal works and one way traffic signs. What is more we were confronted by convoys of boats travelling in the opposite direction which seemed to appear each time we approached a one way section. There also seemed to be a number of new bridges being built over the canal.
During the day we picked up a barge travelling the same way as us and fell in behind it. When the engines in Charlie Dee are turning at between about 1000 to 1300 r.p.m. the propelor shafts make an unpleasant whine which appears to have something to do with sympathetic harmonics. One is able to ignore the sound after a while but better to avoid it if possible. So following a barge usually entails travelling for a while at or below 1000 r.p.m. followed by a time at 1390 r.p.m. or so and catching up with the barge again. The alternative would be to overtake but for that one requires a wide stretch of canal to avoid the wash from the barge and for the barge skipper to maintain a steady course. Today’s barge skipper was steering a somewhat erratic course particularly going through Munster. Then I saw why. There were lots of swimmers along the sides of the canal and from time to time one would swim across the canal in front of a boat. Did they realise how difficult it was to see them in the water? Some even swam out toward the boat as we were passing. I wondered how many accidents there were each year among this suicidal population.
In due course we came to the marina at Fuestrup where another suicidal, swimming girl swam across the cutting behind Charlie Dee as we were reversing to the quay. She responded to my shout of “Achtung!” as did a number of people on board boats already moored. Heads popped up all around. The hafenmeister was very welcoming, gave us a free marina burgee and raised the union flag on the flag pole outside his office in honour of our visit. The marina was along both sides of the cutting and there was a small passenger operated ferry to get from one side to the other. The ferry ‘terminals’ were labelled “Calais” and “Dover”.

Sunday, 6th July, 2008
Fuestrup: cast off 11.27
32.4 kilometres, 0 locks.
Ibbenburen: moored 14.48
Good progress today as we headed for Bevergern where there were two fuel stations marked on the chart. However, it was Sunday and both looked closed. We turned onto the Mitteland canal and after four kilometres moored in a side cutting. Anne went for a swim. She said it was good. I took her word for it.

Monday, 7th July, 2008
Ibbenbuhren: cast off 10.44
52 kilometres, 0 locks
between Bramsche and Ostercappeln: moored 16.02
Our departure was delayed by a thunderstorm, but it was brief.
We returned to the fuel stations only to discover that neither sold white diesel. So back past our last night’s mooring an hour later and onward along the Mittellandkanal. We had bright sunshine, followed by heavy rain and then strong winds.
Anne was looking in the pilot book for diesel supplies ahead of us and using the dictionary to translate some of the language. One phrase came out as “emergency fur coat”!
Barrie

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We moved on from Upper Brewers to Morton’s Bay a short 7 nm run and then anchored in the southern end of the Bay.
The anchor set quickly and held at low rpm but when power was applied in reverse we could very slowly pull the anchor through the very soft silty bottom. The holding power was mostly likely good for 20-25 knots of wind but as thunderstorms were predicted with much higher wind gusts we decided instead of setting double anchors, to move to the very northern end of the bay beside the Morton Dam, where there is an excellent floating dock adjacent to a small picnic site.
We spent two days here, swimming in the 76 F water, taking the dinghy and running to Seeley’s Bay to do a bit of shopping for salad fixins. One afternoon we walKed to Jones Falls, a distance of about 9 km there and back for some exercise.
The biggest problem with Morton’s Bay is the Sunfish who happily nibble on your toes if you stop swimming for a moment.
We moved on in overcast, showery conditions with the weatherman promising clearing and he was correct, as soon we were in bright sunshine. We arrived at Jones Falls locks at 8:30 ready for the first up locking but were delayed as Park’s Canada was repairing a mooring cable in the second lock. By the time we started to lock up there were five of us but the lock keeper was excellent and soon we were through the four locks and on our way to Davis Lock.
We stopped at Davis one of our favourite spots as it is very isolated, quiet with good docks. They haved added power to the docks as generator fumes were bothering a neighbouring cottage and those boater on docks further in the little bay. Now even quieter in the evenings.
Will stay at Davis for a couple of days before moving further up the system.

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