As some of you will remember, I recently returned from a three week vacation on Corsica. I had a great vacation, but no good stories: Good vacations can make very boring reports. The only problem that arose was completely my own fault. I had asked for it, and looked forward to it. The story starts at home. To get to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranian, you have to take a ferry. At home I was looking through the timetables and prices, trying to set dates for my departure and return. I looked through the prices for transporting a car. I noticed that a car longer then 4 meters is much more expensive then a car of less then that. Now my car, a small japanese, is only 3.80, but my boat, a small seakayak, is 4.30. Having that kayak on my roof would cost me about 100 euros, if I remember correctly. I thought that was unfair, since the car behind mine will be parked right under the kayak. The kayak does not change the space I need on the deck. Then I noticed that my vehicle may be 2 meters wide. Two devilish horns appeared between my hair when I realised that my boat DOES fit in a square of 2 by 4 meters: Diagonally. Pythagoras was kind enough to prove that for me. So, I booked space for a car of 4 meters or less, hoping for trouble. Two months later I appeared on the parking lot annex check-in of the ferry. I was met by a Frenchman, putting on the look of utter worry and despair that only the French know the secret of. I was told to wait, while the man left to get some backup on this one. He appeared with another man, with a tape measure. They carefully measured, then told me what I already knew: My boat was too long. So I told them they had two options: Acknowledge that the boat was not in the way and let me pass, or let me move the boat on the roofrack to fit into their rules, guaranteeing is WOULD be in the way. The took the second option, and gave me time to rearrange my boat. It wasn't even that easy. The boat had to stick out on all sides: Front, rear, left and right. Bow- and sternlines were impossible, but even the roofracks were too short to give a decent support. Luckily I didn't have to drive more then a hundred meters, although I was a bit worried about the bump between the shore and the ship. Anyway: A new measurement cleared me to drive to the ramp. Once more I was stopped, by yet another Frenchman, giving me the look of utter contempt that only the French know the secret of. Without a word he grabbed my bow and gave it a swing, to get it in line with the car. It was still much too far forward, but at least it was straight once more. Grinning I continued up the ramp, into the ferry. Yet another Frenchman tried to get me into a parking spot. That was difficult: Since the kayak was sticking out in front of my car, he couldn't park me close enough to the car in front of me. Once more that worried look, but this time I was happy to help out. I'm a friendly guy, after all. I was happy to release the straps and move my boat back, not only to where it was out of everybody's way, but also to the place where I like it best on the roofracks. The crew was kind enough to give me a hand. I reattached the straps, and even the bow- and sternlines. I left the cardeck laughing. Niels. By the way: Although the French may have a way of appearing panicked and disorganised, I do realize that it might be me who is provoking that behavior. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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