Not a very snappy title to a rather strange eclectic film about my cycle journey along the Canal du Midi in Southern France going east from Toulouse through Castlenaudary, Carcassonne, Trebes, Narbonne, via Beziers to Sete, during late summer 2010.
This video is about French towns. the canal, art, graffiti, a bicycle and some people I met long the way....
I started in Toulouse, which I enjoyed a lot so I stayed longer than I had intended to. Also the main art gallery was closed on the Monday and the Tuesday, and when it did open most of it was sealed of for the hanging of a show. Annoying!
So I paid €3 to see not very much. There were some phallic African tribal sculptures that I liked. there was also a black abstract painting. by a Japanese artist who's name i have forgotten, which had a great texture and energy and lusciousness.
There are some photos of the Jacobins church in Toulouse where there is a circular mirror on the floor around one of the amazing tall columns, which means you can also peer down to give an amazing optical effect.
I also took photos of the graffiti in Toulouse and along the towpath. which was good work, but i have to say most of the graffiti that you see in Southern france is just visual pollution. It is everywhere and it is very crude.
I met a couple of people in my journey who I befriended, especially André and Jean, Karim and his mum and brother helped me when i needed to have a place to stay in Castlenaudary which was the first stop along the canal after Toulouse.
Then it was onto the amazing Carcassonne, which although is incredibly touristy, even late season when I was there, is still worth seeing. Very evocative of times gone by even though it is essentially a bit of a fake because it is an imagining of a mediaeval castle and is of modern invention. The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, I was there on the bridge when there was a wedding on the river bank was being celebrated and also when parade of horse riders trotted by. Perfect timing.
Cycling along the canal was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I actually felt quite proud that i did it. in the end, with detours I cycled nearly 500k.
Some days were terrible - after Carcassonne where the towpath was just a small stick mud path which was impossible to cycle along as the brakes and gears just got clogged up with mud, that was bad. And back from Narbonne where the wind was really strong and against me, that was my low day.
But otherwise I had the most wonderful time and met some great people and saw some interesting things and had an uplifting personal experience. I came back fitter, lighter and with a clear head.
Finally I reached Sete, the last leg of the Canal du Midi, I had done it. Quite an achievement for me really.
This film is about some of what I saw and experienced on that journey.
The music is by Kinder Atom called "Simplicity".
I hope you enjoy it. Thanks.
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Le Boat journey on the Canal Du Midiby LeBoatvacations23,194 views
@yottytotty1 Hi I wrote you a long message which i managed to delete oops! but basically get good puncture resistant tyres, I used Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tours and didn't get a puncture. Front suspension and disc brakes (both of which I didn't have) are a strong consideration because of the deep roots and thick mud in certain sections that are really tough. Go as light as possible. Have fun - the canal is truly beautiful to behold, but it's not always a joyride. Declan Lyons' book is useful.
notwikidub 1 year ago
Hi
great capture of the Canal & towns on route. I am planning to do the same route with a friend in September 2011. Do you have any tips etc that you would like to pass on?
yottytotty1 1 year ago
@tawnyforever Thanks Dawny. I wanted to include more, but was well over 10 minutes, so had to edit hard. x
notwikidub 1 year ago
Interesting video Justin..
Thanks for sharing some of your photos of your trip to
France :-)
tawnyforever 1 year ago