My name is Peter Roche and my wife Bev and I purchased a half share in Tui in 2020 just in time for Covid 19 pandemic and lockdown. Brilliant planning I hear you say!

I have travelled to France many times to backpack and cycle the wonderful trails and roads of Burgundy, Loire Valley, Brittany and beyond so the plan was to spend some time meandering around the Midi Canal and Southern France. This is now something that will have to go on hold for while.

However, the year wasn’t altogether a washout I did manage to get to walk parts of the Canal de Garonne and visit Tui at Castelsarrasin before rushing back to New Zealand one step ahead of the pandemic and lockdown. https://canalgaronnekiwi.wordpress.com

Tui is a Porter & Hayley built Connoisseur 8 berth cruiser and is an ex-hire houseboat from the “Le Boat” houseboat rental company. Tui is 11.3 m (37ft) long and has a generous 3.85m beam making it very stable and easy to handle. The unique sliding roof allows indoor/outdoor flexibility and is a must for the low bridges you encounter on the Canal du Midi and canal de Garonne. Tui has been owned mostly by Kiwi owners since its hire days ended, it is older but in great condition and has been outfitted with extra equipment to make it more comfortable to live on when cruising the canals. The previous and current owners have great experience in boat ownership and kept up the ongoing maintenance to keep the boat in good running order.

She can sleep up to 6 by utilising all the bedding arrangements. There two double en-suite cabins, with the salon/dining & galley separating them, giving everyone privacy. The saloon seating also converts to an additional double bed. Tui is equipped with a gas oven and hob, full size fridge, washing machine and lots of extras, including three bikes two of which are electric.

The southern France canals are closed for winter so boats are moored or removed so maintenance can be undertaken on the waterways each year. Tui is currently being wintered over in Castelsarrasin where she is on the hardstand and shrink wrapped to protect from weather and pesky vermin.

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