Hydrology

One of the fountains in the Gambetta reflecting pool

There's something about being near the water.  No matter if it's boating on a river or playing in a mud puddle or standing on the beach watching the waves roll in, something in me, (and a lot of other people) is soothed by being within sight and sound of a body of water.  And if we don't have a natural water feature, we humans will create one.

Monsieur le Heron ventures forth

I am so lucky here.  There's the river, right down at the foot of the street.  The Canal is within walking distance and I can walk on the towpath for hours.  If I am craving a big body of water, the Mediterranean isn't far away.  I find that whenever I visit a different town, I am immediately drawn to the inevitable river that defines it.  Limoux, Lourdes, Toulouse....  I love the museums, but I always, always find the water.

Looking for an afternoon snack?

Carcassonne's city fathers have, for centuries, responded to our need to be near water.  Look at all the fountains  here--in every public park and square;  wherever people congregate, they've erected not just monuments, but water works.  

He was so handsome, but the light was too strong for me to get a good representation of his coloring.

A recent walk found me along the Aude, Carcassonne's river.  It's low and lazy at this time of the year.  The water is fairly clear, and moves at a surprisingly fast clip.  The banks are home to duck families that I can see, and who knows what else that I can't see.  On this particular day, Mr. Heron was wading, probably looking to spear himself a snack.  I watched him for probably a half hour, which is a lot of time to be standing on a busy traffic-bearing bridge.  The noise and whooshing of the cars and trucks didn't bother him in the least.  He ignored me, too.

Enjoying the reflecting pool

Right across the bridge is the newly revamped Place Gambetta.  At the bridge end of this square, the designers incorporated a very shallow reflecting pool with several fountains choreographed to bubble up in patterns.  This water feature is irresistible to children.  They race around it, shrieking joy.  The older children take off their shoes and socks and wade in.  (The "bonehead" older children simply wade in fully shod)  The adults occupy the benches and chairs placed there, and contemplate, or visit, or keep watchful eyes on the goings-on of their charges. 

Water bubbles from one of the fountains

Time to go home and start dinner

The late afternoon light began to dim and the shadows began to lengthen.  It was time to head home to dinner preparations. I was able to go home with my spirit cleared and refreshed, thanks to my time along the water.  There's more than one way to "hydrate."