27th May

Our dear friend, Chris Terrey, joined us in Toulouse and spent all of last week with us. As soon as she knew of our plans she said that she would join us to see Carcasonne - she’d always wanted to go there. After a rotten year, it didn’t seem possible that she would be able to make it…. But she did!! We travelled from Toulouse along the canal du Midi, calling at Castelnaudary, to Carcasonne.

It was lovely for us to share her delight at every lock, lock keepers house, old bridge, other boats, rambling rose….etc. The views were wonderful along this stretch of the canal - we could even see the snow topped Pyrenees in the distance.

Chris also enjoyed trying out real French food in France - different breads [she even started going to the bakers!!], cakes, baked beetroot, fresh peas and beans from the market, duck breast, celeriac….and one or two bottles of rose!! But only Paul tried the Cassoulet in Catelnaudary - three people eating a huge bowl of beans and living in the confines of a small boat? I don’t think so!!! Our best eat was when a youngish chap came from his house near to where we were moored carrying a basket of freshly picked cherries, to see if we’d like to buy some - they were delicious [even before they were washed!!!???]. We had alovely meal in Carcasonne [thank you Chris], then sat outside at a pavement bar until about midnight, enjoying the delicious warm night air.
It was a lovely week - despite the toilet??!!