Heatwave and chaotic crewchange at Toulouse

chrisandjane aboard Liveloula
Chris Cooke
Mon 29 Jun 2015 16:58

43:52.0N 1:16.5E

Monday 29 June Long day. Mid Europe heatwave sets in. Chaotic crew change in Toulouse. Tie up on bank near Dieupentale 63k

 

Thro unmanned lock as soon as lights come on. Unattractive approach to Toulouse. Txting Julie to firm up crew changeover time at lock by Toulouse station, at first of two v deep downlocks (6.2m & 4.4m)controlled by eclusier somewhere else watching on CCTV. Tie up in first to do crew swap, expecting time to get sorted before waving at camera to give OK, but water level start dropping, quickly.  So hectic chucking bags and Sally ashore, Julie scrambling over fence to get into lock area, jumping down on board followed by bags and skip before D`fly out of reach in depths of slimy lock. Welcome on board Julie; sorry no proper goodbyes to Sally! Thro other locks, waving at camera. 90degree turn to stbd into less interesting Canal Lateral. Long straight sections emerging from city thro mainly flat countryside. Thro last lock at 1855, just before they switch off for night, and continue another 8k looking for shaded spot to tie up on canal bank 2010. Notice considerable favourable current in canal. Youngsters cast off on old yacht as sun gets lower and temp falls a tad, skulling towards Toulouse, against the current – one chap is pretty good, the rest are hopeless. We ask their destination, as progress is very very slow – Mer Mediterranee!!!!  Only 300k to go!

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