43:19.0N 1:57.1E

Saturday 27 June Hairy day racing thro locks to just make Castelnaudary 40k

Sal rendezvous with Julie for sightseeing day in Carcassonne then train to catch up. First boat thro lock into town pool. Exit 0920. Just Jane and skip.  Jane ashore on Brompton to cycle ahead and get eclusier to have lock gates open and take lines from up high. First eclusiers say we won`t make Castelnaudary in a day, but we leg it to have a go. Eclusiers kindly radioing ahead so gates open as we approach, and the message seems to be that we are in a hurry and know what we are doing. Gates start closing before D`fly totally in, and all sluices opened to give a torrent and rapidly fill lock.(Usual practice is to open one sluice so water fills slowly, then slowly open other three.) Fortunately not in convoy having to wait for grocks on bumperboats. Hectic work as skip solo on board, heaving bow line up to Jane, and stern line up and back roving thro block on toerail to opposite genoa winch to take strain  from torrent, and heave in as water rises to keep stern tight to lock wall (and avoid front of mast swinging in and thumping wall). Exiting rapidly, getting lines coiled as underway ready for next lock. Jane peddles furiously to keep up. Hot day too. 14 singles, 2 doubles, 1 treble and a final quadruple lock. Arrive quadruple just before Castelnaudary 1812. (They close at 1900) Very helpful smiling eclusier uphigh  in control box speeds us thro. Exit 1838,with mega thanks and leaving  cold beer for when he`s off duty. Phew – just made it. Both exhausted, and most pleased after marathon day. Sal rejoins us. Friendly staff and good showers in harbour office. Most enjoyable Cassoulet at Chez David`s.