Capestang - Marseillan 3 May

The 7 chamber lock near Beziers opens twice a day, 8.30 and 15.30. We decided to leave eraly to catch the first opening.

 Beautiful early morning, clear skies and no wind. Seems like summer might be coming.

We have been on the lookout for this boat. It belongs to JJ Provoyeur, a friend from Worcester. It is a luxury canal boat with all everything one would need for a few days on the Canal Midi. Quite expensive, I believe.

Going through the Malpas tunnel again.

This is the tunnel Riquet had to build through the mountain.

On entering the tunnel there is a sign with a spider hanging from a web. I can only presume it means that spiders hang from the rook and onto the boat. Spend the duration of the tunnel trip, 160 m, flapping my hands to scare the sliders off!

We have gone down the Fonseranne staircase. Seven locks in a row when the canal descends more than 20 m into the Orb valley. A strange construction besides the lock was intended to replace the lock staircase in the 60's but operated only two or three times and is since then definetely out of service.

One of the more or less permanent barges on the canal, all decked out with flowers and decorations and tutti put.

Must be entering bull country?

And so summer had come to Lellebelle

We have to cross the etaung Tau again to eventually get back to the Rhone. Left the canal midi just before 3 pm and wondering how windy the etaung tau would be. We were planning to stop at the first town, Marseillan. All went well and we are now att home in Marseillan. What a lovely place.

Little Lellebelle beween the bigger boats. 

The waterfront is lined with fine restaurants and cafes. We researched and filled ourselves with oysters and the local wine that goes perfectly with oysters Picpoul de Pinet.

Next to the post we visited the cellars of the famous Vermouth maker Nolly Prat.

Back on LB enjoyed a fresh off the shelf Nolly Prat.