October 2019

This was the beautiful, calm sunset at Ecluse Vivier the night before we left. We're feeling sad that this will be the last time we'll be here onboard Gesina.

The gathering clouds remain the next day, but we were prepared as we took the short journey into Castelnaudary (it remained dry).

Finally at the top of the St. Roch staircase of the 4 chamber lock, we head into the Bassin and our winter port.

Every where steps at Saissac!

 So now the great house hunting begins. Although the house here had fabulous views of the Pyrenees, which we would dearly love, there are too many steps both in the house and in the garden. Definitely not for us.

Although Tashi seemed to approve.

Colourful house at Carlipa

Again this house had too many stairs, being spread over four floors. Such a shame as it is a lovely old traditional village house.

The boys paid an unexpected visit for a long weekend. It was really to be just the four of us again for a short time. The last time that happened was when 'my three men' came to visit me whilst I was working in Den Haag, and it was my 50th birthday.

The Charmans

So of course we went off sightseeing, and as Andy has never been to Carcasonne a day trip was duly organised. Having done the touristy bit, and enjoyed a jolly good lunch we decided some exercise might be a good idea. These heavy horses looked beautifully groomed as they pulled the tourists around the ramparts of the castle.

Our host for a previous book club showed us how she had managed to coax an artichoke into flower, and gave instructions also saying you have to have patience.

It's SLOWLY coming into flower after 4 weeks of nuturing!

You have to feel sorry for these new recruits of the French Foreign Legion who have been issued with the little bags which look like things teenager girls would use in which to carry their make-up, or nail kit. But at least they are made in camouflage material!  I didnt want to embarrass them by taking a photo from the front, as there was enough tittering and laughter as they passed down the road. Some lads clutched the case to their chest to make them less obvious. So just a brief shot from behind, but one of the soldiers heard the click of my camera and looked a bit sheepish, poor chap! The person who designed and issued these must have a sadistic streak!

Poor lads, they get bussed into town to go shopping and all head for the same place where they are issued with their new mobile phones etc. Always very smartly dressed. We also have the pleasure of seeing them do curcuit runs up past the boat and back down to their splendid camp at the Castelnaudary headquarters.

We thought it would be nice to have a little farewell tea party for Anca, Odile's colleague, who worked in the port during the summer.

Anca giving directions to boaters.

Autumn has arrived giving us this brilliant display of coppery leaves.

Ornamental grasses

Beautiful umbrella plants

The town gardeners have excelled themselves this year with their colourful displays.

Lonesome swan!

Poor creature no longer has a mate. Heli and Jim, moored here in their yacht two years ago, took pity on the swan and used to feed it cooked spaghetti. Now it's looking for Heli!