After negotiating 18 locks on our first afternoon aboard, we might reasonably have planned a gentle second day.<\/p>\n
Instead, we faced the longest cruise of the holiday: approximately 36 kilometres from Bram to Tr\u00e8bes, with another 13 locks along the way.<\/p>\n
It would demand around seven and a half hours on the water\u2014and provide a wonderful opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the Canal du Midi.<\/p>\n
We left Bram knowing that we had a considerable distance to cover.<\/p>\n
Yesterday\u2019s intensive introduction had at least made us more confident with the boat. The controls no longer felt entirely unfamiliar, and we had begun to establish a routine for approaching locks, handling ropes and sharing the work.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, 36 kilometres represented an ambitious day by canal standards.<\/p>\n
The engine started, the ropes were released and Bram\u2019s quiet port gradually disappeared behind us.<\/p>\n
The previous afternoon had been dominated by locks. Today brought longer stretches of uninterrupted cruising, giving us more time to appreciate the canal itself.<\/p>\n
The Canal du Midi wound through the countryside beneath avenues of trees, passing vineyards, fields and small settlements. In places, the waterway seemed almost enclosed by the landscape; elsewhere, the views opened across the Aude countryside.<\/p>\n
Progress remained unhurried, but that is precisely the pleasure of travelling by boat.<\/p>\n
At walking pace, details that would disappear from a car became part of the journey: reflections beneath stone bridges, people passing on the towpath and the constantly changing patterns of sunlight across the water.<\/p>\n
Although fewer than yesterday, 13 locks still required plenty of concentration.<\/p>\n
By now, we were beginning to understand how the boat responded inside the Canal du Midi\u2019s distinctive oval chambers. Each lock brought its own currents, awkward angles and opportunities for Chris and Adam to offer entirely different opinions about what should happen next.<\/p>\n
Our technique was improving\u2014even if our communication occasionally remained a work in progress.<\/p>\n
The locks divided the long cruise into manageable stages. We would travel for a while, prepare the ropes, work through another chamber and then continue towards Tr\u00e8bes.<\/p>\n
Each successful passage carried us farther from Castelnaudary and closer to the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
Seven and a half hours aboard sounds leisurely until it includes steering, locks, ropes and the sustained concentration required to handle an unfamiliar hire boat.<\/p>\n
By the afternoon, the scale of the day was becoming apparent.<\/p>\n
We had covered substantially more ground than yesterday, while still negotiating structures built as part of a canal more than three centuries old.<\/p>\n
Tiredness was beginning to set in, but so was a growing sense of confidence. The Canal du Midi no longer felt like somewhere we had merely come to visit. For the duration of the holiday, it was becoming our route through southern France.<\/p>\n
The sight of Tr\u00e8bes was especially welcome.<\/p>\n
The town occupies an important position where the Canal du Midi meets the River Aude and the Orbiel. Its canalside port offered a lively contrast to the quieter rural stretches through which we had travelled.<\/p>\n
After approximately 36 kilometres and 13 locks, we found our mooring and finally stopped the engine.<\/p>\n
The silence that follows a long day\u2019s cruising is one of boating\u2019s simplest pleasures. After hours of engine noise and constant movement, arriving brings an immediate sense of stillness\u2014and considerable satisfaction.<\/p>\n
With the boat secured, we could turn our attention to Tr\u00e8bes.<\/p>\n
The port is lined with places to eat and drink, making it an ideal stopping point after a demanding journey. Les Vignes de Bacchus offered the prospect of local wine, while Le Moulin de Tr\u00e8bes provided a picturesque canalside setting.<\/p>\n
Whichever table we chose, dinner felt thoroughly earned.<\/p>\n
Over food and wine, we reflected upon how quickly the holiday had gathered momentum. In little more than a day, we had travelled from Castelnaudary to Tr\u00e8bes and worked through 31 locks.<\/p>\n
Our arms knew about every one of them.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow was 1 May\u2014a public holiday in France.<\/p>\n
With the lock keepers not working, we would remain in Tr\u00e8bes for the day rather than continuing along the canal.<\/p>\n
After two demanding cruises, this was far from an inconvenience. It offered time to explore the town, replenish our supplies and enjoy the boat without needing to move it.<\/p>\n
For now, we were simply pleased to have reached Tr\u00e8bes.<\/p>\n
Our longest cruising day was complete, another 13 locks were behind us, and a welcome day of rest lay ahead.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our longest Canal du Midi cruise carried us 36 kilometres from Bram to Tr\u00e8bes, through 13 locks and the beautiful countryside of the Aude.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"pqoc_adventure_category":[30,6],"class_list":["post-197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","pqoc_adventure_category-canal-du-midi","pqoc_adventure_category-holidays"],"yoast_head":"\n