The numbers of French cyclists travelling the Canal du Midi is inspiring. The photo shows one of them who lives in Limoges and we met as he was searching new routes as his trailer was problematic on some canal paths. A link from the Midi to the Garonne Canal connects the Atlantic coast near Bordeaux with the Mediterranean near Montpellier. Its relatively flat obviously. Tolouse is the place where both canals meet and it seems the name Tolosana derivates from Tolouse and the name Via Tolosana is simply a Latin translation for road to Tolouse. Other camino routes in France are also given Latin names like Via Podiensis etc
Vine growing takes off soon after Carcassonne and an abundance of black grape is ready for gathering. In some wineries grape hand pickers happily gathered whilst in others the grapes were being collected mechanically. The mechanical system missed very little fruit from my inspection.
In Beziers the canal can be seen from the high point of the Cathedral of Sant Nazzaire. Although a little rough around the edges Beziers is nearly the oldest city in France, Marseilles being a bit older established about 100 years BC.
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As I said on What’sApp, Tom - I am familiar with that area, having spent three weeks in a tent there! I fond memories of the place, particularly the seaside and harbours.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos - keep safe and have fun.
Doug
Sète is new to me and a classic family holiday destination. The whole coastline devoted to camping parks, sailing boats and some aquaparks thrown in. Those constructions being out of bounds in last couple of years are horribly deteriorating and real eyesores right now
DeleteHi Dad, I'm with Estelle, she sends her love. It's great for us to see your updates. Gavin and I know Beziers, having travelled there several times to visit Sete, which is a lovely town nearby, will you get to visit it? The organic rose wine there is top notch. Looks like you're getting good weather and enjoying yourself :) Nat x
ReplyDeleteEdtelle told me about your get together. I went through Sète and it's a place I don't know so maybe that's why I don't remember you going there...twice
DeleteWow that's very old . Well done Dad. Making excellent progress. Miserable here in Wales with rain so enjoy the sunshine. Eirian's about to go on a 2 hour bike ride to St Donats.
ReplyDeleteSt Donats is a long ride with hills. Hope it went well. Still hot here
DeleteLooks like you are inspired by other cyclers and Eirian is inspired to get on his bike too. I think we are all inspired by you dad 💪🏽👏🏽🙌🏼😍 Proud of the goals you set yourself 😘 Caroline
ReplyDeleteI'ts something I've become expert at so it's nice to put that experience into practice
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