Canal Morning

Blue Snail

Boats on the "Mediterranean" side of the lock

This morning was devoted to picking up trash along the banks of the Canal du Midi.  I was actually surprised by how clean the banks were.  The water is murky and muddy, but I suspect that has more to do with the gunk that falls in from the overhanging trees than it does with trash floating in the water.  There was the occasional plastic bag, but the towpath was pretty trash-free. I expected cigarette butts and dog poop, but found neither.

Far from home

Even farther from home

What a nice morning it was for a working walk along the water.  I have to confess to being distracted by the plants I kept seeing.  At one point I stopped under an oak tree and listened to the scrabble of the acorns dropping onto the sandy towpath.  It sounded a little like rain, except the drops were big, and green and, ouch! hard. 

One of my "distractions."

I kept looking for the signs of the platane cutting that I saw a year and a half ago, but nature had already overgrown the depressions left by the stumps.  The oaks don't seem to be affected by the same blight that has invaded the platanes. 

Another distraction

I recognized some of the plants; I have known red clover and dandelions since childhood.   But lots of the flowers were new to me, so I will go to the library next week and see if I can locate a field guide to the wild plants.

Orange bumper

The canal was busy this morning, hosting plenty of boat traffic, lots of bicyclists and hikers.

Busy morning along the canal

 I asked a lone fisherman if he was having any luck, which elicited some good-natured complaining from him.  As I walked by, I could see the boat dwellers living out their lives--having breakfast, washing hair, sanding some woodwork--in full view of all passers-by.  Without exception, they waved and smiled and replied, "Bonjour."  It is un bon jour, indeed.

The workers who were cleaning the water while others of us walked the banks.