Friday, 23 May 2014

What a treat!

Tuesday 20th May

[caption id="attachment_833" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Breakfast Breakfast[/caption]

9.30 am we arrived at John and Jane's in Capestang. Jane drove us all to the boat where we quickly cast off and were underway.

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[caption id="attachment_836" align="aligncenter" width="427"]IMG_3218 And we're off![/caption]

Jane went ahead and set the first few locks for us..but the canal was probably busier than normal because of the strike being lifted and a queue of boats having built up yesterday. We passed a couple of enormous barges full of school children...school outings here seem to take on a new dimension!...and Johns driving was incredibly skillful!

[caption id="attachment_838" align="aligncenter" width="640"]John at the helm John at the helm[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_840" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Barge full of kids Barge full of kids[/caption]

Jane eventually had to go and fetch Sophie from school for lunch so I took over the lock preparation...Go Billy!!!

[caption id="attachment_841" align="aligncenter" width="427"]Approaching the lock Approaching the lock[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_843" align="aligncenter" width="427"]Water spilling into the lock Water spilling into the lock[/caption]

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Once through the locks it was Simons turn at the helm.....What a treat.....he was in his element! This was our favourite section of the canal and it was lovely to see it from another perspective. Simon was in heaven driving the boat and John was very lucky that Simon let him have his barge back at the end of the day!!!

[caption id="attachment_837" align="aligncenter" width="427"]Totally at home and doing what he does best…. Totally at home and doing what he does best….[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_847" align="aligncenter" width="427"]Oh…and Billy had a sneaky go too…BT is now calling her 'barge woman!' Oh…and Billy had a sneaky go too…BT is now calling her 'barge woman!'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_845" align="aligncenter" width="427"]Junction of the Canal du Midi and Canal de la Robine Junction of the Canal du Midi and Canal de la Robine[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_851" align="aligncenter" width="427"]IMG_3251 Arriving in capestang[/caption]

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Thankyou so much guys for this amazing opportunity. We feel really privileged to have met you. You are a great couple and Sophie is adorable. You are an inspiration to us both and we hope very much that we will meet again one day. Keep in touch...please!

So it was with some reluctance and also anticipation of new encounters and adventures that we left John and Jane and Capestang and headed off to finish our cycle of the Canal du Midi.

[caption id="attachment_850" align="aligncenter" width="640"]The aliens have landed... The aliens have landed...[/caption]

3 comments:

  1. Such lovely words and beautiful photographs. It really was an extremely special few days! Thanks once again, your help with bringing Vrouwe Antje home was truly indispensable. Bon voyage to you all (Bluebelle included). Keep in touch, we really hope our paths cross again 😊 Jane, John, Sophie and Dickson 🐾 xx

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  2. Hello all....how are you? We are in separate places for now. Simon is on the big boat having fun and I'm home catching up with family and friends...actually my feet haven't touched the ground!! How is gorgeous Sophie...she is an absolute delight! Hope to catch up with you all again. Lots of love S & Y xxxx

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  3. Hello! Just caught up on your blog, it looks as though you've had a super June and July so far! Love the photos! We are all great, enjoying the school holidays with visits from friends and family. We're off on our canal travels on Vrouwe Antje again soon, heading towards the beaches at Agde and Vias. A bit of news this end.....we've decided (sadly) to put Vrouwe Antje on the market. If you know anyone who might be interested in her do let us know! 😘

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