Montech

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 Thursday 26 January

Today we continued our journey south, travelling past some very frosty ground

and stopping for lunch at a motorway Aire up high on the Causse du Lot.  About 20 years ago we did a cycling holiday in this area (in May when it was very hot) and had a spare day staying in a village close to this lake.  We walked around it then and had a picnic with a Canadian couple with whom we are still in touch.
We decided against eating lunch at a picnic table.....

.... then continued south to Montech.


Friday 27 January

Having a day off today - staying at the Camping-Car Park beside the Canal du Montech - then move on again tomorrow.  First off, we had a walk to the town, took a look inside the church - sat listening to the organist's beautiful practice for a while -


the bandstand reminded us of home! 

Then it was time for lunch - our first meal out this holiday.  Very nice 2 courses for 15€

My starter is cauliflower soup with basil and croutens - John had sardines.
Both had the same main course - veal and rice with turned out to be a risotto.  Very tasty.

Then we hit the canal towpath,

 

 

 crossed the canal to the visitor centre (in an old paper mill) and walked to a 'rare and unusual site', the Pente d'eau de Montech.  It is a water slide opened in 1973 for boats to save time avoiding 5 locks.  It was used for only 36 years and closed to navigation in 2009 due to the cost involved and decline in commercial use of the canal.  However, there is a museum in the stationary barge (not open at this time of the year!) and we could view the 2 big powerful tractors which together pushed the boat and the water it is floating in, up or down the slope, the moving seal acting like a mobile lock gate.  Interesting stuff.





The bracing walk did us the power of good too - but even better to relax back at our cosy van with a mug of hot chocolate!  

Pastures new again tomorrow....








Comments

  1. Helen28 January 2023 at 10:07

    Sounds as if you are having a good time despite chilly weather. Lorna asked me to tell you she has been reading your blog which she is finding interesting but can't seem to log in to comment! Had fun on Wednesday when went to Capitol with 260 Horsham Guiding members to see a special screening of the film Matilda- excellent! Love Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacki29 January 2023 at 17:14

    Hi ..have just caught up with you! - your seeing some lovely places. Hope you find some sunshine soon . We've lost the sun too but at least its milder than last week! It seems to be very cold and bright or slightly milder, dull and damp - I know which I prefer! Love Jacki

    ReplyDelete

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