Moissac to Carcassonne

Oct 11

With the running repairs done to the generator we moved off from Moissac, but only after taking advantage of the 'winter' gathering, fuelled by the best fish and chips for years (almost worth wintering there just for that).  A short run that day, then into Castelsarrasin for the weekend rugby (no disasters so far). The ports are filling up with wintering boats so moorings are getting harder.  Kes is enjoying roaming old haunts.

Vicious barge dog

The trip into Montech was a bit misty to start (visibility 50m) but that cleared later.

Montech mill pond (overflow moorings)

We keep on planning a visit to Montauban but defer it - maybe next year if we stay south.

Montauban turn off

At Lamothe (Dieupentale) we moored up with another Sagar ('Laura' with Keith and Terry) - a nice sunset.

Lamothe

We are climbing and the semi-automatic ecluses necessitate using the pontoons well before the lock so Peter can activate them (and run to the next ecluse when they are close - hard to believe) - Kes thinks it is wonderful!  Angie doesn't approve of the outflows at the ecluse entrances that throw her off course.

L'Hers is a nice overnight spot but no mod cons.

L'Hers aqueduct and ecluse

Another nice sunset

The double red kiss of death (and no mooring)

The domestic batteries we inherited in 2009 are dying rapidly so 'green bank' moorings mean no TV or computer and early to bed, so we were pleased to get into Toulouse for another rugby weekend (guess who is doing the mooring planning). Peter made a horlicks of turning from the Garonne into the Midi entrance - notice the mud.

The Emboucherie - eenie meanie minie......damnit take the middle entrance

Toulouse Gare Centrale from the canal

St Sauveur

Angie spent two days looking for a wedding outfit for daughters wedding (anyone with a spare €900 - Angie needs it). Peter watched rugby for a change - well it is much better than clothes shopping! Then off east again.

Toulouse Dry Dock (next year)

Toulouse Port Sud

Angie was getting her hand in with the oval Midi ecluses again - deeper than we remember.

Negra was a new stop for us - a nice little canal chapel.

Then through to Castelnaudary for the rugby final - result (just) - now to collect all my winnings from the non believers.  Moored next to 'Jane Louise' (Bob and Sue) who have a 'mini Sagar' - a nice layout. Once again we managed to join the Winter party/BBQ which started at 11am and finished ........

Then Winter did arrive - a howling gale for two days which led to a good 'chop' on the Grand Bassin.

We then sprinted towards Carcassonne before the forecast winds started again. The bowthruster packed up (probably picked up a branch) just another item for the winter maintenance. Angie exhibited her usual sang froid and skill getting us into our tight winter mooring against the wind and thus the end of the 2011 cruising season - 2000 km a little less than last year though it doesn't seem it.

Carcassonne Entrance

Return to Moissac

Oct 11

Returning over the same route can be boring, but at least you know the best mooring spots. After a couple of days we ended back at Le Mas with Ken and Rhonda on 'Somewhere'.  A barbecue on the waterfront and more rugby.  Ken was busy painting and polishing as 'Somewhere' is on the market, so Peter took all the roof vents off and did some remedial painting in preparation for painting the main roof.

L'Mas de Agenais

Another wash house

Kes enjoyed walks along the Garonne - a fairly impressive river, though glad we aren't trying to navigate it given the shingle shoals. Early nights for Peter as rising at 5am for the rugby is slowing him down.

La Garonne

Back to Buzet where we managed to get an overnight mooring - a bit self help but advised by Alex off Riccall.  The generator had sprung an exhaust leak (and the generator water pump bearing was weeping) so we needed mains electricity to keep everything functioning OK. Into Serignac where all the orchardists are harvesting fruit - fresh apples so Peter is in heaven.

Peter stripped most of the soundproofing off the generator and spent the rest of the day searching for the exhaust leak to no avail - cleaning the engine room is something to look forward to come the long winter days. Into Agen where we moored on the canal side with no facilities so early to bed.

Agen Bassin

We had decided to stop at Valence d'Agen for a few days to paint the cabin and wheelhouse roofs as the mooring has electricity/water and no overhanging trees.  All went to plan with Peter doing the waterblasting/ degreasing on Day 1, but then the Autumn weather struck so painting was deferred for three days.

Almost finished

Painting or sunbathing?

Off to Malause, a nice little rural mooring, heavily underused given it has elec and water at minor cost.  Peter disconnected all the batteries to do a voltage check and 8 hours later confirmed that one of the six had partially expired  (one of the new ones, but warranty claims are difficult from darkest Languedoc).  Perhaps one of the children might give us one for Xmas - ha!!

Malause

Ken of 'Somewhere' had recommended Iain (Noble Marine) at Moissac for running repairs so we moved our Generator in that direction.

Moissac swing bridge

Peter and Iain pottered around the engine room for a day getting dirty and eventually found the exhaust leak where a junction on the final water separator had burnt through (in a difficult dark high spot of course).  Angie fell in love with a local hairdresser who cut her hair with Gallic flair (pity they can only play rugby when there is a Z in the month). While waiting for the new exhaust/pump parts, Peter fitted a new gas hob which had been tucked away in the back cabin for a year (gas connection by Iain) - Angie is now operating on all four burners and has promised steak and chips for Dinner - to be continued ......