We are back in Castelnaudary where Lady Mary spent the winter. Familiar territory, washing machine and we know where all the shops and ancient monuments are. Because it is festival season we can have cassoulet delivered to the boat!
We took a little boy for ride with us through the last staircase of locks – no pictures because we were all too busy. This morning we had a wonderful clear run with all the locks set the right way and Siobhan and I biked ahead to take the ropes. We are almost at the top of the system and it is a part of the canal that rises quite steeply so 9 locks before lunch. We bought a huge homemade apple pie from a lock-keeper and some fresh bread. There are mulberries falling from the trees and unripe pomegranates glistening like Christmas baubles.
The duck population has increased dramatically, along with the dogs who chase them. A few swans and we have seen red squirrels, one came scampering over the lock gates to where Siobhan was sitting and then darted away up a tree. The sunflowers are coming into full bloom. I saw some more of the huge hairy caterpillars that ate my basil walking in line across the road. The dragonflies are outsize too, and multi-coloured.
Siobhan slid into the canal when securing the mooring ropes to some roots on a very slippy bank. Her phone and watch survived the canal water along with her.
We took Simon shopping and got him a splendid French jacket and some cream pants so he can dress up. We haven’t done much dressing up so it will be quite a novelty.
-
- Visiting a cave where we were entertained by the vintner’s grandaughter.
-
- In the lock – cheek by jowl with hire boats.
-
- Coming out of the lock
-
- A dog and his friend
-
- Simon on the bow rope
-
- Hopeful dog, looking for food
-
- Siobhan emerging from the canal
-
- Jousting on the canal
-
- Siobhan emerging from the canal
-
- The lock-keeper’s apple pie
-
- The dog that chased the ducks
Recent Comments