Carcassonne Spring

Mar 12

And typical Spring weather it is, with a few days of sun - then showers.  Angie came back from England with a bad cold which meant Kes had to continue with Peter's limited dog walking stamina - but that doubled when the fair weather dog walkers from 'Linda' joined in. The canal and town edged into tourist mode on 1 March and we had our first early season plaisanciers through. First a job lot of paint leftovers:

Then the ugliest boat for a while (though very quiet given its electric propulsion)

In a really warm spell we decided on an 'end of Winter' BBQ - which as usual started early and finished late.

Peter was feeling virtuous after changing the antifreeze in the main engine in January but, when he went to sort out a minor leak in one of the header tank feeds, found a nut had dropped off into the tank - so out it all came again - then on re-assembling/refilling a washer dropped in - all out again - and not a swear word heard.  It is not possible to drain anything on the engine without some liquid going into the bilge, so he is now an expert in cleaning that as well! His final piecé de resistance was fitting additional solar panels, where he found the 12V panels were running at 20V so a quick unplanned change from series to parallel wiring. They are doing a great job of charging the batteries so fingers crossed they keep it up for the season.

Back to more cultural activities - the town is waking from hibernation with the pavement cafes springing to life., beggars on the corners and lost looking tourists asking for boat rides. A local town guide offered a trip to the bargees around the 'nouvelle ville' (as opposed to the ancienne Cité) in preparation for his real tourist work - some interesting spots - especially tucked away in courtyards.  In general, the French don't maintain or present their old buildings to a UK standard though.

Lots of old remnants built in

Still keeping good time

Derelict underground chapel - lots of potential but needs updating!

The English speaking contingent plus Stephanie

Another possible winter bolthole for Angie?

After seeing this model, Peter suggested Angie started collecting matchsticks for a potential hobby (for her) building models next Winter.

Cité

With all the shootings around Toulouse, Angie now locks the wheelhouse doors with the onset of dusk (when she remembers) but overall we have been impressed by the peaceful nature of our mooring given we are only 200m from the main Gare.

The seasonal sport of watching hire boats attempting to moor up (with a crew of thousands) has started. A nice Dutch sailing barge joined us to add a bit of class.

and a lovely little Pilot Cutter

Our son has just been on holiday in Abu Dhabi/Hong Kong and the photos have triggered the wanderlust - we are planning another year in the South but we can sense a few 'off barge' trips later in the year.

Our neighbours on Sirius decided to have the stern gear checked 'Yes the propeller is in situ'.

Our last week in Carcassonne was beautiful sun. Angie farewelled her French and Pilates courses and a couple of impromptu gatherings on the quai side meant trips to the local pizzeria for takeaways (who wants to cook after lots of vin rouge) note the Pizzeria gave the ladies a glass of wine each whilst waiting and a pleasant bottle on the house to take with them (only in France).

Then it was off westwards - only one day earlier than planned. Only a 3 hour run (to make sure nothing was going to drop off - Angie extracted us well - beautiful day and only Kes a bit down in the mouth.

Carcassonne - Arctic Weather

Mar 12

2012 started off just as we had anticipated with good weather for the whole of January.  But Angie came back from the UK cursing the medical profession which had decided that she couldn't have knee ops till she was 70 and/or in a wheelchair.

Peter enjoyed the various parties on the French barges celebrating La Fete des Rois (Epiphany) while Angie was away in the UK, but managed to get the token making him 'King' every time - hopefully this makes him lucky for the year rather than the scapegoat. Lots of rugby and the warm weather was great - but then February suddenly turned Arctic for a few weeks - much to our surprise - on the Midi!!

First the snow.

Then the ice.

The central heating decided not to play, so Angie disappeared off by train to Bonn for a boozy week with her family, while Peter and his technical advisor (Colin on 'Linda') sorted it. A little shopping and a little sightseeing in the gaps.

Beuel - Bonn

The fun spot was trying to get a new SFR internet contract running, despite having a French Bank account and a letter from the Capitainerie agreeing our address it took four visits, five bits of paper (a new one each visit, two phone calls and a fax to HQ to get it running.

However, by Leap Day the weather was beautiful again - so Peter went boating.

Angie caught up with the housework.

Kes pushed off his bed

and lots of dogwalking - this is on the side of the Canal du Midi showing Plane trees marked to be felled due to fungal infection (note the ringbarking)

Peter rashly stated that all the maintenance was done - which was promptly followed by a plumbing leak from the guest toilet - now hopefully sorted. Angie departs for the England again next week to have her vision enhanced (well she is the helmswoman) which will let Peter watch the last of the Six Nations in peace. Only 4 weeks to the cruising season = life is wonderful.