Saturday 11th June - St. Jory to Toulouse

We left just after 10 o'clock under grey skies, wet gear at the ready!  We got through two locks without trouble but when Crew twisted the dangler, two red lights appeared instead of a red, a flashing amber and a green (this tells us the lock is being prepared).  Skip walked up to use the intercom to call the VNF but found it not working.  So,back to Aphrodite to call on the mobile.  We found two different numbers but neither responded!  The other option was to walk the one and a half km back to the previous lock to summon help but Skip hit on the idea to call the port, Saint Sauveur, that we were making for in Toulouse.  The nice lady Capitaine obliged and help arrived about fifteen minutes later.  Luckily, although the VNF man didn't hang around to make sure the lock was OK, we got through all right and we got through the next three well- spaced locks with no problem.  This part of the Canal de Garonne is probably our least favourite part, becoming very industrial and still beside the railway line.  At around two o'clock we left the Garonne and joined the Canal du Midi for the run in to Toulouse.  It's a sharp turn off the Garonne and then two arched bridges to choose from.....luckily we remembered which to take. Our remaining three locks rise up in depth - the first 2.6 metres, then 4.4 and 6.2., these last two having rising poles to moor to.  We cruised into Toulouse about 3.30 and were met by a welcoming committee......our Dutch friend, Henk, David (who we met last year in Colombiers) and of course the lovely Sylvianne - the Capitaine.  Between them we were tied off in no time!  Henk had messaged me earlier to suggest that he book a table in the nearby Bistrot du Port (we have dined there before but it's now under new management).  Henk later messaged me to say that David and Janet had turned up so he booked a table for six.  The other member of the party was Arthur - he and Henk had become good friends since overwintering in Toulouse.  We had a quick bite for a very late lunch and were joined by Henk for a drink and catch up.  David invited us for drinks at 7p.m. prior to dinner then we rolled over to the restaurant right next to the port.  We all had beef in some form or another but the portions were huge!  David and Janets' dog, Pip got rather a large doggie bag!!  All, except Crew and Henk went onto Davids' boat, Rosina to watch football (England v Russia) but David had a bit of trouble tuning in to ITV but by making Janet sit in a certain position, he succeeded!  We still have no TV and can't remember when we will get it back.......come to that even how to operate the TV - it's been so long!!  Skip came back and joined Henk and Crew for a late chat until about 12.30 a.m. - then bed.....long day!

20.5 km. 9 locks  5hrs. 15mins