12 August - Carcasonne

Today we left before the birds woke up - a trip by bus - out the citadel - past sunflower fields ( the translation is flowers that turn to the sun in French - from our linguist Tony) 

Then a tough day of racing - and 007 ( remember the secret weapon) - with the boys agree to run - NB - run the boat between short ( ha ha) distances between lockes. Me - at this stage I am coxing so have to keep up. Eventually Ant and his dad are running ( not jogging) - I am hanging on the rope and cannot speak. The rest of the crew swops bicycles and running intermittently - me I hang on the blasted rope for dear life. Eventually Tim joins me and sees my red face and serious look of distress - takes my hand and we run even faster. Savior - partial?? still damn running - not my forte- My calves are still burning. 

Wendy manages to direct the crew in and manage the boat carriage like she was borne to it. She makes it look easy... ha ha.. Sue is cycling with a bit of running.  The boys team run, cycle, race the boat- lift the boat- launch the boat from Cliffs ( real cliffs ) at times. 

Leslie has cycled a full two days ( apart from when she graciously handed over her bike to help the crew who gave up on running- remember not jogging - you have the 007 infusion -  amazing!!!). Then she walked - a Long Walk to Freedom. 

Remember one of the earlier blogs - she will be the heir to a medal! Her challenge is to cycle the entire canal Di midi.  Think she will make it but two days has been tough!!! 

Tiny as usual Tony ensured we had the best lunch table and the right table at the beer half way stop. Of course he also was our interpreter - par excellence

Then the afternoon was the girls team, Sue, Wendy and me... with some honorary  girl members. - namely Mark as coxswain, and Simon and Ant filling in at bow! Light weight - no chance??? But lifting boat, trolley and then power house - oh yeah!  Row by girls and honorary girls was Oarsome. Short, technically reasonable and honorary girls provided power. Mark found a new appreciation for coxing - especially with wire - steering mechanism - honestly feels like barbed wire after some time) to steer crew to victory. Coxing is not for the faint hearted. Entire crew is still amazing and pleasant - day two done??? Surprising??? All these A type personalities and still a team. 

At the finish a round of applause ( okay- every crew got one but we did not know it then - felt like celebrities....). 

Dinner fantastic - potatoes ( baby ones ) - wow. They know how to cook. Even with the intrepid run and the girls decision ( not me) to walk 100kms ( yes an exaggeration but you do it and you will feel like you achieved the long walk  to freedom too). Probably only about 7-8kms with a boat???? Nuts!!! 

Now we go to bed, still no real time to explore... Too tired. Tomorrow the girls will be princesses - even if for 5 minutes. Have to fully enjoy a castle and citadel!!!!  But first the race??? Oh dear. We lying 4th  or 5th or maybe even 3rd- you try read French with scullers in between. Can now count to 10 in French - but they speak so quickly - let's see. 

Till next time! 

Judy Van Es