31 March 2011: Boat Cruise Day Fourteen.

I don't think that anyone would believe me if I said that the canal runs over the top of rivers in some places so have attached this video........

Today was our big day on the water. We had to work our way through the seven-tiered loch along the way and we were really looking forward to the challenge. Dominique was at the helm all the way through and as we approached the last loch we realised there was quite a crowd gathering at the bottom taking pictures.

As we passed through the last gates, Michelle and Dominique yelled out “Viva Australia!!”….nearly created an international incident I can tell you. At first I think one of the girls said, Viva Le Women!!” then the rest of the crowd were shouting, “Viva Nederlands” “Viva Italia” “Viva Deutschland” etc etc. Our boat skills are improving and we looked like real pro’s getting through all those lochs.

The rest of the day was spent making our way to our next mooring spot in Port Marseillan. This was becoming a little stressful as we were close to our deadline time of 5.00 pm and the wind had really picked up in the afternoon. Under the skilful helmsmanship of the Budgens, we made it down the canal and through several lochs, out into the Etang de Thau and into port just in time.

Oh, also slipped on the front part of the boat this afternoon and promptly sat down hard on the small piece of railing there. Nice pain in the backside to accompany me for the next few days.

The manual we had been given warned us against making the crossing to the Etang de Thau if the wind was too strong. From the back of the boat, Michelle was throwing out a warning that maybe we should wait until the next morning (no doubt thinking about the bush walk we had taken a week or so earlier) but there was nowhere to moor and we were basically committed.

A little scary making the crossing but we were always in safe hands with Mark at the helm. Once in Marseillan, we were so glad we had made the trip, it’s probably the pick of the towns we have visited on this leg of our holiday. It’s a lovely little seaside village with a mix of historical buildings and seaside residency. Oh, and Michelle is in heaven because this is the birthplace of Noilly Prat Vermouth!

We strolled the town to have a quick look around and decided that we would explore more the next morning.