Signing Out

Sorry to those who are reading this each day, but tomorrow is the start of the Rallye du Canal du Midi, the 206 k rowing race down the canals from Toulouse to Bezier, five days of life without thinking or having a minute to yourself, let alone to write a chapter to this blog. We need to be at the meeting place at 6am (Henri needs to be there are 4am) to meet with all the anxious new participants and the old hands who have raced this many times. There are only 14 boats this year (two of these are Irish Teams) and there are some critical changes to life on the canal over the next 5 days. I mention these for Nanette etc who are familiar with the formula of the rallye.

Firstly, there are two categories to the race  - 'enduro' for the ones who want to absolutely smash it out and make a good time, and the rest of the teams who will not be timed;

Secondly, there are no paper plates to fly all around as we eat the curried octopus in Ventenac - eco is the word on everyone's lips - there are re-usable plastic plates to be rinsed after each meal - Bravo!;

Lastly, the days of the auberge in Carcassonne are over - no more rooms with six bunks, no more rushing to the third floor to discover that there is no water, gravity being what it is, no more pulling suitcases up the hill through the old town. The new sleeping arrangements are below the old town and we are there for four nights, in rooms for two or three. Real sheets, not the disposable paper ones!

Josette and Henri have decided this is their last year having been part of the organisation for 20 years plus years. I think we went for the first time in 2005, making all of the people who were involved nearly 20 years older - weird to think about that, huh?. It will be my last year too. 

And for those who just read this for the pictures here are a few that show the essence of the place, including us drinking pastis at 11 yesterday morning... and look at those varied coloured beetroot - i made a beetroot salad with goats cheese and medjuli dates from the market, with the sweetest cherry tomatoes...


this brick work is particular to Toulouse. Big discussion on what the English word is for this sized stone. Stones. Is that the only word? I think so - stones...







Attention property developers, unusual site for development...
Maintenance committee fixing a small problem in the boat for tomorrow (let's call them yolettes, for that is what they are)
Wonderful gazpacho soup here a few nights ago..
Oohhhhh French Garden furniture. I want to bring some home .with me

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