Muddy Marge

Grisolles.

Last night as the light was fading, we took a walk up the hill through the vines.

 There was a fantastic full moon, and as we looked back, we could see the village nestled amongst the glow of the orange street lights.

It was the coolest night we’d had since being away, and this morning the air was much fresher. This morning we received an unwanted early morning call from the village cockerel. But otherwise a fantastic start to the day, the sun lighting the vines as they stood neatly trimmed by the harvest, they reminded us of well turned out soldiers on parade.  

Today we were headed in the direction of Toulouse, taking the quieter roads, passing through villages, and at one point crossing the canal du midi. This made us recollect our cycle trip to the med a few years back, when we cycled along it. Whilst we miss the cycle camping, it has been good to be able to cover more miles in Marge, and we still get to see some lovely sights when we pass through the quiet villages and surrounding countryside.

After a leisurely journey, we are now on an aire (with about forty other vans) by the canal La Garonne at Grisolles, just slightly north west of Toulouse. Grisolles is famous for straw sorghum brooms, which were made here between 1856 and 1980. The French couple in the van to the right of us, have a lovely green parrot in a cage with them.

Late this afternoon, after the heat had cooled to 25c, we set off on our bikes, to cycle along the canal. It brought back some happy memories of some previous trips along this way.

 In a field near the canal we saw a machine excavating gravel.

At the lock, two boats came through, the owners of one English, the other Canadian. They are now moored opposite the aire. Their is also another large canal boat moored by the bridge, it is named ‘carp diem’, which as you know means ‘seize the day’, something we couldn’t agree more.

After dinner we took a walk up to the bridge by the canal. To the right is the municipal school of music, and we admired the silhouette on the side, of the boy with his cello.

As we are near the water, it is another night with the mosquitoes, so tomorrow morning once again, we will have to break out the germolene!