Le Somail to Narbonne – 18 km

After filling up with water, we set off gingerly through the serried ranks of hire boats in Le Somail this morning, and duly found the fuel dock a few kilometres down the canal. We took on 106 litres, which is what we have used since Avignon – not bad, I think.

Then we turned off onto the Canal de Jonction, which runs dead straight across country, with seven automatic locks. We were following a hire boat with a Swiss family (judging by the flag). Mother and father were the crew, jumping on and off, tying up and activating the lock, while teenage son was the helmsman up on the flying bridge giving the orders.

At one stage there were two handsome British barges tied up opposite each other in a shady village. This one is called the Busted Flush.

The Jonction Canal takes you down to the river Aude, which has to be crossed on the way to Narbonne.

At the last lock there is a dry dock for barges. Some days ago we met a Brit with a very smart barge, who told us he had spent a week here in a heatwave painting its bottom. Not an experience he would like to repeat.

We lunched in the shade on a convenient quay before crossing the Aude. Then it was an easy run down the Canal de la Robine to Narbonne.

We went through the final lock with a tour boat.

And appreciated the flower arrangements on the lock wall.

Then it was under the Merchants Bridge and into the heart of the city. Narbonne dates back to 118 BC, the Romans of course, and the canal was brought through the middle of town in 1787. It continues for another rather featureless 25 km to the modern Port la Nouvelle, and the Mediterranean. We don’t plan to go down there.

The shady spots along the quays were mostly occupied, so we took a spot in the sun. But it has water and electricity, even if fewer customers. Maybe that means it will be more expensive. We’ll find out in due course, no doubt.

Tomorrow we take a break from cruising to sample the sights and delights of Narbonne, including the quite famous Halles covered food market.