43:13.0N 2:21.0E

 

2 June – more fun and games with grockle boats, heading for tourist trap Carcasson

Depart Bram 0800

Arrive Carcassonne 1305 then down city lock to moor up 1340, 14nm 5 locks

Rain,v windy, eased and cleared noonish – sunny evening

 

Picked up a load of self drive grockle boats waiting downstream for the first lock. V windy so took 40 minutes to get 4 of us in and through lock. Two hopeless cases! One came in fast behind us and slammed into astern. Thank goodness gearbox held out otherwise D`fly’s rudder would have been smashed. After a couple of locks let them race ahead to avoid same routine all day. Then locks to ourselves. Peaceful.

The medieval  walled city above Carcassonne looks like Disneyland, but it is real though now rather a tourist trap. Walked around the ramparts and bought a postcard (and stamp) for Sally. (But Jane now discovered her address book is at home - sorry Sal!) Friendly HM and good showers, tho  a bit old fashion. Wifi gratuit with beer in Hotel Terminus, so have to have a couple of large ones as lots to do. Meet a NZ couple doing the same.