On the canal - Narbonne to Carcassonne

After a day plus exploring Narbonne it was time to say goodbye to Frank, our friendly port captain and begin our journey to Carcassonne. After passing through the second lock leaving Narbonne a representative of the VNF (the canal authority) let us know the lock keepers were going on strike so this would probably be the last lock we would be able to go through till the strike was over.

A short trip further up the canal brought us to a closed lock where we drove our stakes in and tied up to wait out the strike. An hour later a work crew that was doing maintenance on the lock let us through as part of their testing - one more lock out of the way. That was the last of our luck for the day. As we approached the Aude River to cross it we found the flood gate closed far enough to prohibit any bateau (boat) from proceeding. This time we found old stone bollards to tie to for a snug evening.

Fortunately it was a short strike (or disruption) and we found the flood gate opening in time for us to be at the next lock for its 900 opening.

After completing the canal Robine in record time we were back on the Canal du Midi in time for a lunch stop at Ventenac en-Minervois and a wine buying trip to the Chateau Venteneac. Our mooring luck continued to hold and we tied up at one of the two spaces that would be possible for mom to get on and off the boat.

Of course we had to do a little tasting to see what we might want to buy.

Along with traditional bottled wine we had to buy some of the bulk wine, sold by the liter. 1,50 Euro/liter bought us a tasty Rose that went well with everything.

The locking procedure was pretty much the same at all locks - first you find the lock - pretty easy as you run out of water to travel on at each lock, or more proper ecluse

You secure your lines, wait for gates to close and the valves to be opened, allowing water to rush in and fill or drain the chamber you are now in. Jim and Michael handling the lines.

Then the water comes in - think white water rafting on an 11 meter powerboat. Watch your lines closely for this often bumpy ride up

Everyone takes a turn (or nautically speaking a trick) at the wheel - OK some of us only kinda took a turn, and I don't mean Joan

Lunch stops are enforced on the canals - with the lock keepers at lunch we're forced to follow suit. Here we are at a canal-side cafe in Trebes.

This was just the starter salad to lunch: mussels, clams, squid, octopus, shrimp and more. And I don't mean one or two tiny pieces.

Jim and Michael after a bottle of wine with lunch - that's "Juniper" tied up to the quay just a few feet from our table.

After lunch it's all business as we get back to work navigating the Canal du Midi

While "Juniper only takes a small portion of a lock - this is what they look like with a peniche occupying the space. They fit end to end so closely that they must put their rudder hard over to clear the ecluse doors as they close.