After two days of horrendous heat, it was a relief when a thunderstorm arrived in the night, and the rain certainly cooled things down. It
was quite civilized, even chilly, when we walked to the supermarket this morning, mainly to
replenish drinking water supplies!
Then it was through the first lock, behind two hire boats
who quickly beckoned us to overtake. Sunday morning certainly brings the French
to the canal. Many men fishing, lots of keen types running and plenty of
families cycling.
For some reason this end of the canal seems to have more
abandoned boats, dream projects left unrealized.
Also oddballs, like this organic boat.
It’s worth remembering that sometimes it is we who are the
spectacle, not just a question of us observing everyone else. I hope this lot
appreciated our lock work!
The amusement park on the banks of the canal did not seem to
be doing much business. Perhaps the slogan is not ideal for attracting family parties.
With only the round lock at Agde to go, we found a shady
place on the canalside and tied up to a tree for our final lunch on this canal.
After a longish wait, made longer by the difficulties new hirers
were having in getting out, we piled into the round lock, positioning ourselves
to be the first to leave.
So finally we passed the end of the Canal du Midi and emerged onto the Êtang
de Thau again, quickly headed for the most westerly port, Marseillan.
It is busy, but there was a good quayside mooring, just in
front of a bar. As soon as we tied up, we went to order some good, cold beer, delaying the
composition of this blog entry somewhat.
But we have some reflections on the Midi experience too:
first and foremost, it is wonderful to see such an historic construction in such
use. You hear complaints among boaters that it is too busy in July and August,
but we were happy to see families or groups of friends evidently having such a
good time. Teenagers and preteen children all seemed to enjoy the experience,
as did people who have never driven a boat before. We can all laugh about
bumper boats, but you have to start somewhere, and maybe some will get a real
taste for it. And, of course, it brings lots of money into the waterway authority and the regional economy. That’s not to deny that at times it got a bit stressful, and we
have a sense of relief at being out in the open again.
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