Frontignan: the final frontier

Hello shipmates, sorry there's been no update for a week.  We're in sunny Frontignan on the French Mediterranean, where we'll be until next weekend to remast, relax and prepare for our sail to the Spanish border.  We've been away for just over 3 months now and we're ready for a change from chugging through narrow, internal waterways and experience the open sea once again.  We've travelled 850 miles and traversed 219 locks (yes, there were another couple of locks thrown in for good measure at Port Ariane) - will we ever be free of locks?!

Monday 30 July - Aigues-Mortes to Port Ariane
We cleared the mooring despite strong winds and a less than desirable forecast but Skipper waited for a lull in the wind and we were off.  We had a short run along the Canal du Rhone a Sete - slightly inland in case of the forecasted strong winds - to the sheltered marina of Port Ariane, recommended by Alan & Jacqui from "Splodge" - their preferred winter mooring given it's proximity to Montpellier airport and the Mediterranean.  It reminded us very much of Villamoura Marina in Portugal though not, yet, quite as buzzy.  We saw a flock of flamingos though not close enough to get a good piccie. 

Locks: 1 (218)
Miles: 20 (836)

Tuesday 30th July - Montpellier
We visited the lovely city of Montpellier and had nice petit dejeuner, walked around the park, viewed a Bernard Plossu photography exhibition and generally wandered various parts of the City.  There is a new conceptual part of town known as Antigone which reminded us of the Axe-Majeure near Cergy, with its curved architecture and governmental/administrative buildings given central stage - behind the omnipresent EU flag.  Skipper & First Mate smiled as there was a statue representing that eternal French triangle - 'liberte, egalite, fratenite' - sans head - a rather good metaphor for the EU!

Skipper at the headless statue, Montpellier

Wednesday 31 July - Port Ariane to Frontignan
A straightforward trip through the final section of the Canal du Rhone a Sete today.  We're a bit sad not to see more flamingos but that's nature for you - she has her own timetable.  We managed to escape the scourge of the bumper boats - not as many here as we were expecting but when you see how they moor and generally handle the hire boats the fewer the better!  We eventually sighted the end of the canal and the opening to the Mediterranean - hurrah!

The boat in front is "Reward", approaching exit to the Mediterranean!

"Reward" in the Med - Frontignan coastline in background

"Splodge" happily cruising in the Med with Stuart & Katrin

A short hop across the Med for "Reward" and "Splodge" and we arrived at Frontignan marina which is very well-run.  It can be a bit stressful arriving at new marinas, trying to find your berth, avoid other boats, etc., but no worries today as we were met by a reception boat and shown to the visitor's mooring until we officially booked in and  allocated us a berth in the marina.  Just sufficient time to step ashore with Alan,  Jackie and their guests Stuart & Katrin for celebratory drinks.  Then it was back aboard "Splodge" for a buzz in the bay and a dive off the aft deck - a long-held ambition for First Mate and a lifetime ambition for Alan - it was fabulous fun to dive into the warm, blue, Mediterranean sea after being landlocked for 3 months. 

Bottoms up from the Skippers!

Jackie & Alan basking in the big Blue

It was sadly Stuart & Katrin's last night as guests aboard "Splodge" and they invited us all out for a farewell dinner which was fabulous - thank you both!  They were such a fun couple - we'll miss them....

Locks: 1 (219)
Miles: 15 (851)

I'll write shortly with an update of our time spent at Frontignan so tune in soon shipmates!