We didn't leave port until 10.30 what with one thing and another. A large hotel boat came to moor right behind us.......very slowly! And then Skip dropped the rubber seal for the filter into the bilge, which involved taking up the saloon floor to retrieve it! He even had Crew in the engine room to help! Skip finally found it and off we went.
Now that we have no locks the cruising is easy with time to enjoy the surrounding countryside which is very beautiful with plenty of vines and even the occasional olive grove. A little more shade would have been appreciated as we had temperatures of 30 degrees or more but given the fact that so many of the Canal du Midi plane trees were chopped down because of disease there were long stretches of canal without shade. New trees are thriving in some parts but they are obviously not yet quite grown enough!
We arrived in Capestang around 1.30 but had to moor right out of town - there are normally plenty of places but thanks to long stretches of quay being reserved.......mostly for hotel boats...... the port was full. We had some lunch then Skip walked to town for some shopping about 3 o'clock. On the way back he noticed a couple of spaces had been freed up so suggested we move quickly. By the time we got there, only one space was still free. Henk took that space and we looked for somewhere else back under the bridge - I believe that Capestang bridge is the lowest on the canal. Unfortunately being hot and tired we forgot about the canopy and we were both shocked when we heard a ghastly clattering of canvas and metal against stone!! We managed to tie off next to a very nice English man on a barge to inspect the damage. Henk had seen the debacle and came over to see if he could help - indeed he could! One of the fixing straps had been pulled right off the canopy strap and he used his well-honed sailing skills by tying it back in place.......the re-sewing would have to wait until later. A professional job!!
About 6.30 another place became available opposite the Capitainerie so we moved for the third time! Crew cooked a couple of steaks with stuffed jacket potatoes and ratatouille which we shared with Henk. Then at 9 p.m. Skip went to watch Englands' humiliating defeat against Iceland! A couple of digestifs to drown our sorrows then bed.......despite no locks a fairly labour intensive and emotional day!!
22 km. 3 hours
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