September 8, 2022 Today’s post will be what might be called a day on the Canal du Midi.

We stayed in a marina last night with shore power, a short distance downstream was the first lock. Being so close to the town it draws a crowd to watch the boats go through the locks. The lockkeeper is in the foreground.

It was a triple lock, here we as passing from the first lock into the second lock.

Watching to make sure there is clearance to the side.

The lockkeeper had boats going in opposite directions in the center lock at the same time.

A small boat in our lock makes it much easier for us.

The lockkeeper did a masterful job of move boats through locks in two directions at once, plus she was very personable speaking good English.

Relaxing on the canal while checking the route.

It was day we received news of the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

Hippie boat

Big Boat a comin’.

It’s wasn’t just big, it was very, very big.

We pulled over to the side as far as we could to give it room to pass. We were told by a lockkeeper it was 38 meters long. That is 125 feet for the 4.23 percent of the global population that still uses feet as a form of measurement.

Lunch time means relaxation and comradery.

After lunch, what else but more locks.

We pass very close to the sides of the locks as we exit them.

A pink elephant on the canal?

A lockkeeper with an artistic sense of humor.

Something bring a smile to all manner of canal travelers.

Everywhere you look there is something.

Smile?

Lockkeeper self portrait?

As the song so aptly puts it – a peaceful easy feelin’ – is what I get when I see her.

We never know what might be around the next bend

Every town seems to have a winery.

We are now starting be in the sections of the canal that have the most traffic.

There also seems to be more large boats to be seen.

Close up of a lock gate.

Interesting structure up ahead.

Built in the late 1600’s it is a water overflow to carry excess water out of the canal and into the nearby Aude River. Atop the arches is the towpath where whatever was pulling the barges on the canal could pass atop the overflow structure.

Absolute serenity.

The dead and dying trees behind the recently planted trees that be taking their place.

Another large boat.

Guess what is for dinner tonight.

A great way to end the day. Of course it is France, so the better restaurants don’t open until 7:00 pm, but the wait is worth it.

It was as good as it looks, with the usual super thin crust that makes the pizzas over here so much better than the thick crusts so common in the states.

The moon rises over the church steeple as I took this photo over the bow of the boat