A Barge at Large II

Revised February 2021A Barge at Large II continues Jo and Jan May's European adventure on their old Dutch Barge, Vrouwe Johanna. Using skills learned as a baker in years gone by Jo transformed a neglected, scruffy boat into something fit to live on, at least for a couple with low expectations. For two years they cut their teeth in Holland, re-modelling their boat then learning to handle it on large lakes and quiet canals (where they couldn't do too much damage) before moving on to rearrange the infrastructure of the French waterways. According to their mate Dave, they finally reach the 'not totally incompetent' level where other boaters 'at least had half a chance of returning to port undamaged'. They eventually run out of people to annoy in France and move on to Belgium where they find a new collection of victims. Incorporating further boating tales, a short road trip and a shambolic introduction to camper-vanning, this episode sees them expand their horizons and begin an uncoordinated search for a life after boating.