Frontignan - Colombiers 10 April

'I After two nights in Frontignan without electricity or bathroom it was high time the wind stopped blowing and we could start on our journey up the Midi Canal. No wind or very little wind tomorrow confirmed by Lise and Preben from Anna the Brave, but only between 5.00-11.00. So we set off at 6.40, just when it is staring to get light.

This is the entrance to the Etang Tau at 7.00. Yesterday it was blowing so hard the waves were higher than ever on the Mediterranean.  We have read so much about this inland sea being quite trickly because of the wind which suddenly picks up. It is also very shallow which means it is easy to run aground. And, there are oyster farms which should not be disturbed, oh no!

Not such a bad crossing, just over 1 hour.

And so we enter the Canal Midi. Because we are now researches (!) we have read up on the Canal Midi. A very short summary, work started in 1667 and it was completed in1681. Since that time it has operated without  interruption for more than 3 centuries. Most of the original structures, with a few modifications are still present.

Some views

And more. An ingenuous way to stop flooding from feeder rivers.

One of the about 9 locks we went through today. We arrived at this lock just before 12.30, which is LUNCH time for the lock keeper so we took a break and had an hours lunch as well.

While waiting for Madame Lockkeeper to have her lunch, we spied this gentleman feeding the ducks. He threw a big piece of bread to this mother and her ducklings and then spent the rest of the time chasing the other ducks away with a branch. So the mother and ducklings could eat! What a good way to while away time as a pensionser!

The last lock we went though was a series of 7 locks in a row. I have still not calmed down after that experience and will have to relate it later. Or rather, we will be coming back the same way so it we have another experience in store. This time going downstream.

Arrived in a town Colliers to find that the electricity was kaput. Mr Fixit got to work and I am sure much to the surprise of the Capitaine, Dominiq, it is working again.

Not much going on here on a Sunday evening so ended up at a little pizzeria. Rose Pichet was offered in an unlabelled demi botteille. We could have pizza but there was no tomato, only "creme", but it was tasty, nonetheless. Lively unassuming restaurant. Now to sleep after a 12 hour day.