Trebes to Homps

Thursday, September 20th

Up reasonable early to ensure we didn’t miss lock  “starting gate” – after all, we were the first to miss out last night so therefore the first to leave this morning. However, lock etiquette dictated that boat coming in the opposite direction should have first go, so we didn’t get away until after 9:30am.

Prue reckoned this was mad Thursday – it was one of those days when people seem to do stupid or uncharacteristic things.

 The first group up were almost swamped when they got too close to the lock gate; the Swiss yacht which followed us for much of the day managed to back his outboard into the bank after looking totally in control all day; 

and our Canadian friends were rammed head-on by a boat coming the other way which failed to slow down while rounding a bend obscured by plain tree branches. Oh dear!

The countryside continued to change gradually – more hilly, more grape fields, and even more dead or dying plain trees along the canal. In some places we even saw long sections being cut out and mulched. The fungal disease is apparently worse on the Mediterranean side than the Atlantic side.

The frequency of locks has started to reduce, while at the same time the canal has become more winding. The architecture and engineering of the 17th centrury lock construction continued to amaze:

 We passed through a number of pretty little villages in the afternoon, 

 but decided to spend the night in the port of Homps – also a base for Le Boat, one of the larger canal hiring companies.

We got a mooring in the middle of town, just near some outside bars, 

and Prue thought this wasn’t such a good idea (especially since out “neighbour” looked like a canal boat hippy, complete with guitar, dogs and an al fresco BBQ dinner). 

Despite this, we ate locally (right next to the boat) and had one of the more memorable meals so far (and that’s saying something). Unfortunately, the evening was quiet and the restaurant didn’t get the customers it deserved. 

WiFi also promised, but not yet delivered. Orange mobile continues to disappoint badly.