France Profonde et canaux moins profonds

Bit of a cock-up on the blogging front, I'm afraid.  I thought the comment from Narbonne had already gone on on the blog.  So now there's two at once.

It's harder work than we thought.  So far we've done 61 locks in 4 days, and still going up.  The locks themselves are automated, but they are fast and violent, so the boat takes a lot of handling.  The canal was built in the 1670's and for some reason caring for delicate fibreglass hulls was not among the designer's priorities.  So everything is stone or concrete, and Sally T's delicate complexion is taking a bit of a battering.  And we're the only boat we've seen with a crew of only two.  Since I have to do the really difficult bit (steering) this means that Val is running around everywhere with bits of rope to pull.

It's not helped by the crowds of international (Brit, German Maltese, Oz) boaters in specially built dodgem boats, who aren't always worried about whom they hit (they're mainly friendly and helpful though).  We spent a great evening yesterday in Carcassonne, with a memorable cassoulet.  And we're now in the crumbling, decaying town of Castellnaudary - grandeur fading.

There's a dark secret here, not mentioned in any of the reference books.  I'll probably have to forego my aspirations to the Legion d'Honneur for mentioning it.  On the coast, one is not permitted so much as a pee to go into the sea within 3 miles of the coast (boats have to have tanks to put it all in, and pump it out well away from land).  On most canals there are pump-out stations, so that tanks can be emptied harmlessly.  But not here.  It all has to go into the canal.  Which, unsurprisingly smells.  Oh well.  C'est La France!

No piccies this time - the connection's too slow.  Just wait!