Pentecost Monday

Lone poppy along the side of the road

It's hard to forget that I now live in a very Catholic country.  Everything was closed last week for Ascension Day and everything was closed today for Pentecost Monday.  I had planned to take the bus to Trebes and then walk home along the Canal du Midi.  The religious holiday threw a monkey wrench into those plans.

Why are the stop signs in English and not in French?

Barges "parked" at the Saint John lock

After taking care of Monday chores, which were lightened considerably by having accomplished many of them over the weekend, I planned to catch the 12:05 bus.  However, I missed it...by what I thought was a nose.  It turned out that I hadn't missed it after all--buses weren't running today.  So, I went to plan B--a 90 minute walk along the canal for as far as I could get and then turn around and walk home.  It is a beautiful day, although a bit windy, but what else is new?  

Lock at Saint Jean

The canal always disappoints me with its murky green color.  Not having any real source other than rain water, it gets full of organic matter very quickly.  But the flora and fauna along the banks don't seem to mind.  I noticed that there is considerably more boat traffic than I have ever seen.  There should be some test measuring consideration for others before certain people should be allowed to rent a boat and navigate the peaceful countryside.  Why, when being on the water can be so calming, do people feel the need to share their rock/rap/hip hop racket with everyone else?  I don't have a problem with music, the problem I have is seeking quiet and being forced to encounter someone else's noise.  So inconsiderate.  People like that ONE particular boatful of pale skinned revelers give all water-way tourists a bad name.  I don't understand why people seek out "nature" and then proceed to pollute it--with noise, with trash, with the odors of diesel or gasoline.  They ruin it for everyone, and then leave their messes for the "locals" to clean up.

Peering out from the railroad bridge in Carcassonne

Sorry for the rant, I don't want to spoil what was a lovely day.  I walked all the way to the Saint Jean lock, and decided that in order to not get blisters, I should turn around and come home.  Nearly 3 kilometers each way.  As usual, the trip back seemed shorter.  I was on familiar ground.  

Platane trees have been replaced by cedars

One of the tour boats returns to Carcassonne

Fishermen, young and old, were trying their luck near Carcassonne.  Wild flowers were blooming all along the banks, I stumbled on a duck couple protecting their nest.  I saw some wonderful old houses lining the banks of the canal, and waved to unresponsive passengers on one of the boats offering tours.  I took a little longer coming home, as I stopped for lots of photos, yielding mixed results.

Wildlflowers running riot

It was perhaps a good thing that I "missed" the bus.  After some further research, I learned that it is 14 kilometers from Trebes to Carcassonne.  I need to work up to that distance and make sure the skin on my feet is tough enough to not blister.  Today I walked 6 without incident.  I should be ready for longer jaunts by the end of the month.  I am not in the least concerned with time--I get too distracted by the things I see along the way.  It is the journey, not the destination nor the speed that matters, right?

Poppies line the edge of this field