Lock n load

Since the locks are such an integral part of all this, a post just about them.

We crossed through just about 40 altogether, mostly we were climbing (Canal de Garonne) but on the last day we descended (Canal de Montech).

Mostly, these canals wound through farm country, although we went through several fairly urban areas. There is always the old towpath suitable for jogging (that’s me on one of the sunny days next to an old mile marker, remember the game Mille Bornes? ) or biking. The locks are spaced anywhere from right next to each other to several miles apart.

When you come up on one, you have to activate it (rain or shine, ugh) and drive in, where you lasso a bollard or two on the edge to keep the boat from banging around. Over the years the stone walls have become grooved from all those ropes and all those barges.

The hydraulic doors open and close, and water drains or fills as needed, matching the level in the lock basin to whatever it is on the side you’re going to. Most of these locks raised us 2-3 metres.

We didn’t have any major catastrophes, but you do have to pay close attention in the locks… boats and ropes and water and wine and hydraulics can pose dangers when mixed, even at slow speeds.