Day 9 - 2nd full day on the boat

We had decided if we woke early that we would get moving and be the first in line for the first lock and have brekkie and showers while waiting.

Left about 6.30 trying to be as quiet as possible and slipped out of the sleepy little village of La Redorte.

   Making our escape. Bit cold this morning and overcast. Just about to pass the Argent-Double Spillway where water falls into the Argent-Double River below. Also getting rather windy today.

   Still very dark and overcast when we arrived at the first lock to wait till 9 for it to open. Wind playing havoc with mooring the boat, we had a bit of difficulty with only the two of us. Two other boats came in behind us about an hour later and they all had a heap of trouble, everyone called on to help each other.

    Brightened up a little just before we left to make our way to Homps, which is a small village where Le Boat( the company from which we hired the boat) has a base. Here we can fill up with water and power up using 240V. 

    Took ourselves on a bike ride around this picturesque village which was for a long time an active trading port where barrels of Minervois and Corbieres wine were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux.

The waterside buildings testify to these bygone days. We bought a couple of bottles from the Minervois wine growers. Selling a vast selection of wines from over 100 wineries and vineyards of the region. Very helpful in their advise and as you might have guessed while in France do what the French do and drink wine.

   Lunch was at an old village house on the bank of the canal called En Bonne Compagnie, not very far from our boat. Recommended and the food was delicious. The restaurant is not normally opened on a Monday but, today being a public holiday here, they thought they would open as a one off.

We overindulged as the soufflé with banana and caramel vodka is a must try. It doesn't look anything spectacular but as Mez said it was the best dessert( Mez had panacotta with crumble and rhubarb)she has had in a very long while. They infuse the vodka with caramels by firstly melting them in a pan and while still very warm add the vodka and bring it to the table where they pour the hot vodka into the middle of the soufflé. I am not a dessert eater normally but this was superb. More exercise required😫.

    The wind has dropped and the sun has shone for a late afternoon drink by the canal. 

Homps is a lovely village and I'm sure it would have been even more lively if not for the public holiday.