11 August - Toulouse

So the race begins. 

22.8 Km's in the morning and then 21.8' Km's in the afternoon. 

A total of 10 locks to carry your boat around. 

Team Oarsome South Africa starts near the back and relatively quickly move near to the front of the race. 

The crew also very quickly learn the art of getting the boat out of the water and putting it back in reasonably quickly. Each person allocated a job which they do with aplomb. The lifting of the boat is sometimes done on 45 degree and 70 degree banks - where half the crew pull themselves up the bank hanging on grass and other crew members. Thank goodness we have some strong men in the crew  - this is not for the faint hearted. 

One stretch of water between lovkes is only one a half Km's  long. So the decision is to run the boat. Eventually the 007 secret weapon is running the boat along by himself with me literally hanging in the rope ( remember this was my job to never let the blasted rope go) - so poor Ant pulled and run the boat with the extra weight of me just barely holding on - while the rest of the crew fell behind debating who got to ride what bike for how long??? Eventually Mark came cycling to the rescue, dropped the bikes and took on the role of hanging on the rope. ( Finally showing his true colours of being a gentleman). Eventually we reached a reasonable bank and the young Ant almost single handedly launched the boat. The rest of us were huffing and puffing and wide eyed - kinda hoping it was your turn to cycle. 

Everyone had a turn in the boat - even Sue who is still fighting that dreaded flu. 

Lunch was Oarsome with a duck salad, paella and then apple tart as the desert. Naturally red wine was flowing freely together with water. 

Finally in buses on our way to Carcassonne - a medieval citadel - where we will will stay for the next four nights. Cannot wait to explore - but chances are will be in bed early - as was a fairly hard day. 

Tomorrow we will know if we managed to get placed in first 10 crews - here's hoping???? A field of approximately 50 quads and a number of sculls.  Some of the other teams are all men and very big and strong??? Oh boy... 

So far - team all getting on well with very few sarcastic comments - and we have completed day one - only 4 days to go - watch this space. 

The support club of Leslie and Tony were amazing. Leslie cycled the entire route picking up crew belongings on the way and Tony ensured we could communicate with the international teams - being a top linguist and very well known and respected. 

Fantastic day again.... 

Till next time... 

Judy Van Es