It's cooler today only 30 degrees so we choose a gentle cruise down the canal du midi. Our boat, the Sant Ferreol is old but dignified. We sail gently down the canal. Its 'tranquil' in fact everywhere is quiet here. We pass a few tourist hire boats but for most of the time it is us and the guide who patiently describes everything in French and then in English.
Going through the locks reminds us of hiring the narrowboats in Wales. Mum was in her nineties then and Caleb dropped in to meet up with us on his gap year in Europe. Great memories. Mum and I strolling along the tow path while Roger and Caleb negotiated the locks. These ones though are all controlled electronically and it is a smooth trip through.
We meet up with an English couple 'Double J' as we dub them. They have loved living here in France for 20 years, but like the expats in Trausse there is an air of unrest. War and climate change are looming and everyone is wondering what they should do. The expats who have boys in their twenties are especially worried about conscription. For expat Aussies, Australia feels like a refuge.
Towards the end of our trip, our attention is drawn to the familiar smell of a bushfire and ahead of us we see grey clouds of smoke. By the time we dock, great towering flumes of heavy grey smoke tell us that this is a serious one.
Not sure about our plans to walk tomorrow. Will have to wait and see.
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