How did we get here??
On a trip to Toulouse and the towns along the Canal du Midi we had the idea, why not a floating cottage? We had enjoyed boating holidays on the River Thames and The Leeds and Liverpool canal, sailing holidays in Turkey and Croatia, cruises on a friends motor-yatch, and we'd loved our holiday on a four masted sailing schooner called Windstar. It all made sense, a cottage afloat and a Dutch barge would be our cottage. Research followed and a list of requirements was drawn up, the search began and we found Swan; the push to jump from holiday cottage to business venture was applied by the economic downturn in 2008, we re-launched Swan Cruises to offer cruises on board. |
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We have enjoyed holidays in Europe, especially France, for more than 30 years, so we decided to buy a holiday cottage. We had visited most regions of France, from Normandy to the Pyrenees, from Brittany to the Med', from the Atlantic coast to the Alps; the question was where?
Andrew trained then worked as an engineer for 9 years, in a high tech industry, but a desire for the good life drove a career change to sales. Quickly into the booming IT Industry, enjoying the challenge of sales, then management and spells working in Holland, the Nordic Countries and World-wide.
Nickie trained as an Occupational Therapist in London and has applied herself to a variety of roles, she currently works in the UK for a multi-disciplinary team supporting disabled children. Nickie fits in time on Zwaan van Maaike between her work commitments.
"Give me a biscuit, or take me for a walk (& I can walk to heel), I promise I'll be your friend for ever and ever and ever!"