Marseillette ...... met Jackie & Neil from Hawaii....in their 70's..travelling in their private boat ....very cozy with fire place and washing machine.......they were spending a year travelling the canals, rivers of Europe.
Little shop & bakery open 7 to 7 daily run by a very nice lady.......very insistent ducks who have obviously been fed on a regular basis by boaters.
La Redorte with its big winery right on the canal and big gambas for supper......person in a scooter shows how the towns are not geared for people with disabilities.....traffic built up behind her till she could duck into a street to let them pass.
Walk to great viewpoint behind Pechlaurier Lock.......over Argen and the valley of the Aude River & Canal.
Paraza downstream from Argen......little sleep with the sound of waves against the boat echoing in our heads. Wine tasting at the Chateau du Paraza........80 acres of vineyards......cavernous facility.....knowledgeable young man. Jeff expertly parks us between two boats with inches to spare on either side.
Stopped in Ventenac en Minervois at Cafe on canal for fresh croissants and baguettes and winery (cooperative right on bank)....watched the harvesting of grapes with a machine that shakes the grapes off the vines. Charming affluent village with newer houses.
Le Somail.....best parking right in centre of action......lots of visitors, lots of artists. Best creme brûlée in cafe with a white goose begging from the tables.
Cycled from Le Somail to Argen on a hot, sunny day....back to base after 10 days on board.
Some of the locks had little shops.....wine, ice cream, tapenade (the best ever!), etc.
Train to Montpellier tomorrow........it has been fun cruising the Canal du Midi....relaxing, seeing the scenery drift by.......lots of South Africans, Australians, & New Zealanders (rugby World Cup??)
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