We woke to another magnificent weather day in France . They have apparently had a very rainy spring into summer, but it has been sunny and lovely for us. It's all anyone talks about.
The beds are wonderfully comfortable with great linens and blankets. And there is all the air conditioning you could want so we all slept like babies. Also the bathrooms are large and stocked with L'Occitane products. Very lux and nice.
We got up and slowly greeted the day with coffee. Breakfast was available around 8am.
Yogurt, fruit, pastries. Chef Emma will prepare anything else you desire however.
We decided we wanted to explore the area on foot to get a bit of exercise so some of us went for a run and others walked around the village. Much needed time to move our bodies more after so much travel!
Entering the infamous Malpas tunnel along the canal:
Placing a beer for the "Hermit" - blurry pic, but that's a beer.
Where the stone archway begins, there is an opening to allow for passage between the arch and the mountain (2 m gap) so that maintenance of the structure can be carried out.
According to legend, in the nineteenth century, a pious hermit lived there and to feed himself, he simply dropped a basket down on a rope, when the boats passed by.
Creamy local brie/camembert for lunch
Doug at the helm!
We then took the van to the Fontfroide Abbey. Amazing excursion.
We're now back at the barge, showering and getting ready to head to dinner. We're eating in the village of Capistang where we'll spend the night.
Tomorrow morning we're off by 8am for a 5 hour cruise to Le Someil where we'll picnic at a vineyard, have a wine tasting and then visit an olive mill. The local olives are insanely good! They are called Lucques - and I'll be bringing some back. Can't wait for another fabulous day in the south of France!
Back to Alouette after dinner and more fun aboard before bed. Tomorrow is:
BROCK'S BIRTHDAY!!! Fun day ahead!
