31.08.18
40 minutes drive and we got to Sete, on the coast, but an island amongst canals and the link to the Canal du Midi through the Etang du Tau, another trip we will be doing one day. We identified the Port du Plaisance where we could moor but saw no boats our size - they all seemed enormous!
The inner canals have extremely low bridges, so only small motorboats are moored and travel along them. However, the water jousting festival was underway - a surprise to us and we enjoyed the entertainment of this daft sport, that apparently dates back to 1177. We watched the very young contestants determinedly lancing their rivals and the triumph when they managed to unbalance them into the water. Some that just stumbled and collapsed in their position on the 'ladder' at the back of the boat were extremely upset. The ones that went in just accepting, either being dragged into the support boats or casually swimming to the pontoon to get out and dry off. Good fun, the players in suitable white trousers and striped blue and white tops and the boats very jolly.
We walked all around the water: the Lateral Canal which leads out to the Etang du Tau. Once again it was baking hot and we were glad to finally relax in a restaurant, although we made the mistake of choosing one on a busy canalside street of many, all fish restaurants and the food was not great, sea bass aside. We will know next time to go further into the centre Ville.
Street parking has to be paid for but we were pleasantly surprised to see that it is free between 12 and 2 - very civilised for people to have their lunch.
40 minutes drive and we got to Sete, on the coast, but an island amongst canals and the link to the Canal du Midi through the Etang du Tau, another trip we will be doing one day. We identified the Port du Plaisance where we could moor but saw no boats our size - they all seemed enormous!
The inner canals have extremely low bridges, so only small motorboats are moored and travel along them. However, the water jousting festival was underway - a surprise to us and we enjoyed the entertainment of this daft sport, that apparently dates back to 1177. We watched the very young contestants determinedly lancing their rivals and the triumph when they managed to unbalance them into the water. Some that just stumbled and collapsed in their position on the 'ladder' at the back of the boat were extremely upset. The ones that went in just accepting, either being dragged into the support boats or casually swimming to the pontoon to get out and dry off. Good fun, the players in suitable white trousers and striped blue and white tops and the boats very jolly.
We walked all around the water: the Lateral Canal which leads out to the Etang du Tau. Once again it was baking hot and we were glad to finally relax in a restaurant, although we made the mistake of choosing one on a busy canalside street of many, all fish restaurants and the food was not great, sea bass aside. We will know next time to go further into the centre Ville.
Street parking has to be paid for but we were pleasantly surprised to see that it is free between 12 and 2 - very civilised for people to have their lunch.
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