As planned, we headed for the covered market just across the
canal from our mooring. The shopping list included fruit, vegetables, cheese,
suppers and lunches.
It was not particularly crowded and some of the stalls were
still setting up. Not all prices were being displayed. At first sight we got
excited seeing some cherries, but then found they were imported from the USA at
more than 18 euro a kilo. No thanks!
Market workers were doing what they do everywhere, enjoying
breakfast at the bar, washed down with a good rose'.
There was quite a queue at the butcher’s counter we decided to
patronize: a difficult choice, since there were at least half a dozen competing
for our business.
Shopping mission complete, we set off, enjoying a final view of the Cathedral and
Archbishop’s Palace. There were some minor technical delays at the first two
locks, but soon we were heading north again in the company of a Belgian family
in a hire boat.
Once again we had to cross the river Aude, carefully
avoiding the sandbank.
The waters of the river are held back by a weir both to feed the Canal de
la Robine that goes down to Narbonne, and eventually Port-la-Nouvelle, and also to make sure there is enough
water for us to cross.
After lunching at Salleles, we went up the Canal de Jonction
alone. Hot (southern France is experiencing a serious heatwave, or canicule), and energetic for Diana who had to go ashore at each lock to set
the mechanism in motion and take our mooring line. But quicker that way. Once
back on the Canal du Midi, we decided it was too early to stop, so we headed on.
It took a bit over two hours to reach Capestang, where we
are now comfortably moored for the night.
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