May 7, 2010 - A barge trip on the Canal du Midi

The sun finally appeared! We had a 9:00 AM appointment for laundry so, not too hopefully, we went over to the house with our wash. Needless to say, Jane was nowhere to be found. We returned to our room to read . . . and Ed returned to the house where Jane (through the door) told him she was taking a shower and would be done in “about half an hour.” Back to our reading!

The late Jane finally showed up to allow us to use her washer . . . for 8 euros. We took a walk along the canal and fed the ducks . . . always fun. Returned, retrieved the now-clean clothes and hung them on the line trying desperately to avoid chatty Jane. Chores done, we walked into Homps to do some sightseeing and for another marvelous lunch at Les Tonneliers.

Scene along the Canal du Midi

Snow on the Mountains of southern France in early May

The Canal du Midi between our cottage and the small town of Homps

Snow on the mountains from the Canal du Midi - in early May in southern France

The Saint-Ferreol for barge tours of the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi in Homps, France

Custom bird house in Homps, France

Rue des Chevaliers in Homps, France

Fountain in Homps, France on the Canal du Midi

Homps - the Canal du Midi, a barge and nice restaurant

Canal du Midi in Homps

En Bonne Compagnie - We didn't eat here but it is supposed to be very nice

The Capitainerie on the Canal du Midi at Homps, France

Canal du Midi near Homps

Residents of the Canal du Midi near Homps

Les Tonneliers Restaurant - Homps, France on the Canal du Midi

Les Tonneliers Restaurant Terrace - Homps, France on the Canal du Midi

Les Tonneliers Restaurant - Homps, France on the Canal du Midi

At two o’clock we walked a block along the Canal du Midi to the Port Capitainerie where we bought tickets for a ride on le Saint Ferreol, a canal barge. Waited briefly for debarkation at 2:30 noticing a large number of British appearing in groups. They immediately found each other and quickly noted there were only a dozen outside seats. The captain appeared to take tickets and allow us to board. Instantly, the British all joined forces and pushed their way in front of those of us who had been waiting quite a while . . . and were none to gentle in the process. Shoved out of the way, the rest of us stood there dumbfounded. Rain on the trip would have been karma but that didn't happen . . .

Along with three French families, we boarded and went inside for seats. The cabin girl graciously opened the fenêtre so I could take pictures and it worked out very well. In the end we were glad the Brits were outside in front because they were noisy and a couple teen girls with them spilled soft drinks so the floor was all sticky. We were safe inside with the quiet well-behaved French. The trip of two hours and through one lock (twice) was lovely. At one point the barge on the canal goes over the river Argent-Double. It is on a canal bridge. Further on, there is a spillway from the canal into the river and a long-arched walkway over it. The keystone on the middle arch of the bridge was a very deep purple. The guide said no one knew why it was purple but it was always repainted when it faded. We went under a couple bridges, one with a crowd watching us and waving. The lock-keepers house had a small souvenir stand and some snacks. He also had a beautiful garden. We didn't stop but a group of bicyclists were stopped as we went west. When we returned, it was quieter.

Saint Ferreol - the barge that gives tours of the Canal du Midi from Homps

Bridge over the Canal du Midi between Homps and Carcassonne

Canal du Midi - our barge going under a bridge

Approaching the Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) on the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi - the Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres)

Canal du Midi - Boaters navigating the Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres)

Canal du Midi - Boaters navigating the Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres)

Canal du Midi - Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) named for the nearby lake

Canal du Midi - Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) named for the nearby lake

Leaving the Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres)

Canal du Midi - Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) - the Lock-keeper's garden

Canal du Midi - view of Azille from the canal

Snow-capped mountains from the Canal du Midi - in early May

Bridge on the Canal du Midi - people watching us go under the bridge

Pont-Canal de l’Argent Double is a canal-bridge over the Argent-Double River you can see below

Pont-Canal de l’Argent Double is a canal-bridge over the Argent-Double River you can see below

Closeup view of the Épanchoir de l'Argent-Double with the purple keystone

Épanchoir de l'Argent-Double - walk over the spillway from the Canal du Midi to the Argent-Double River

Canal du Midi

Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) - the lock-keepers house

Écluse de Jouarres (Lock of Jouarres) - the lock-keepers house

Going back through the Écluse de Jouarres,on our way home to Homps

Canal du Midi - Headed back to Homps

Private lagoon for boat camping off the Canal du Midi just west of Homps

Auberge de l'Arboussier along the Canal du Midi

Our back gate onto the Canal du Midi - not very scenic, but turn around and there is the canal

Homps - Capitainerie on the Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi - walking home from our Canal ride

Back in Homps we walked home and took down our now-dry laundry. That problem solved! We checked tv to get British election results and it appears no one got a majority. Should be interesting. Ed thinks they should leave the decision to the Queen. Since she’s Queen, she should do something useful.

As we sat down to our fruit, cheese, bread and wine dinner, Jane’s hound burst through our closed door. A shrieking Jane soon followed yelling at the dog . . . who unfortunately knows how to open doors. A quiet man appeared and told Jane to bring the dog inside which she did. Don't know who he was, but bless his heart. At that point we locked the door that had been closed to keep out the three cats and finished our dinner.

I checked e-mail and we watched a depressing movie about a trial in the American south in the early 1900s. The beautiful canal is saving this week. The scenery in this area is just spectacular. (As an update: the beautiful plane trees lining the canal have all been removed due to the fungus Ceratocystis platani spreading through them. They have been replaced with a variety of small trees that will be beautiful in about twenty more years. We're so glad we took the trip when we did.)