Strange sofa-catamaran

Would you sail with this sofamaran on the canal ?

Locate Photo on PaB DP Map

The 2 towers

A panoramic view Baziege.

Did you remember the previous posts : bell tower and grain elevator ?
It is easy to play Where's Wally ?

Along the canal

During my weekly biking tour along the canal, I discover this rowboat and I shot this mellow view of the canal.

Wisteria

I just discovered the meaning of Wisteria ;-).
This plant is coming from the garden of my father-in-law.
The 6 years old stem was planted 7 years ago.
Every spring it enjoys our patio.

Canal du Midi #3

A plate is fixed on each locker house to indicate the distance between the previous and next lock.
It is very useful when you bike along the canal.
In addition, you could rent a boat for an unforgettable travel on the "Canal du Midi".

Canal du Midi #2

On the right side of the locker house, a small and simple chapel allowed (or still allow - I've to ask to the locker) travelers to meditate when they stopped.

Canal du Midi #1

This photo is the 1st of a cycle on the theme "Canal du Midi". The "Canal du Midi" is located near Baziège and part of UNESCO World Heritage List. This channel is a very important way of exchange for the whole southweth of France. You will find useful information here in French and in English.
The above picture shows the lock called "Ecluse de Négra", here on Google Maps. You will see tomorrow something special about the lock keeper house.

Old aeronautical beacon

There is still an Aeronautical beacon (local explanations in French and general in English) from the time of old Aéropostale airlines.

Rape field

Today, I'll not speak about elections.
I prefer to show you the color of our scenery at this time.
It's pure yellow.

Saturday Market

There is a Market every Saturday in the Main Street of Baziège with local vegetable producers, 2 butchers, 2 poultry farmers with fresh (or organic) eggs, a fish store, a cheese store, a dressmaker and 5 to 10 other small stands.
So as we live nearby (5mn by feet), we buy what we need for the lunch and for the week also (we often go also to the market of Montgiscard on Sunday morning).
Today it was : radish and beet, beefsteak and garden peas, strawberries and Chantilly cream.

On the way to work

Once again in the week, all the valley was under the fog.
I shot this picture from my car this morning.

Chateau de Lamothe

On the top of a hill stands the Lamothe Castle (a little bit pretentious, isn't ?).
Built in the 17th, 18th or 19th century, they are named as "Wheat Castle" because during this period many families make richer on wheat farming and trading.
This period was also called the Yellow Gold Age.
I've you want to improve your French, don't hesitate to read this article.

Grain Elevators

This big and ugly building rises in the heart of the village.
This was a huge set of grain elevators owned by a local farming cooperative.
Bought by the commune, it is now disused but nobody knows what to do with.
It you have ideas and also 1 million €, you're welcome.
All the story in French here.

France Presidential Election 2007

Who will win the Presidential Election Race ?
A lot of people sees candidates and programs as this picture : blur and fuzzy.
Hope that next week it will be clearer for everybody and will not have the same choice to do as in 2002.

Sunday, it's "Recup'Verre"!

Sunday, it was Glass Recycling activity. As you can see that a good citizen of my village and I follow correctly the rules regarding waste management.
Main of glass I throw in this big container is bottles of wine.
You think it's obvious because I'm french. But it's not the case : I throw also bottles of beer ;-).
Ok, Ok, the picture shows a bottle of wine !! By the way, this wine was really good.

Roman ways are always there !!

After Montgiscard, the Roman way crosses the former marshy valley of Hers on small bridges or culverts ("pountils") until Baziège.

"Pountils" is the occitan word for "ponceau" in french or culvert in English.
It's fantastic to know that you are walking on the same road as Romans 20 centuries ago.

Bell Tower of Baziege

This church was rebuilt in the 14th century after a blaze due to the Black Prince - Oh what a terrible name !

On top, you can see the bells. The carillon was restored in 2000 and contains 26 bells.
It is fully automated and able to play around 1000 melodies.
The picture is really not easy to shoot because the church is located on a small place with lot of houses around.

"Entre Deux Mers" Highway

This is the East part of the highway called "Entre Deux Mers".
It links Bordeaux to Narbonne from Atlanic Ocean to Mediterranean Sea, so that why it's called "Entre Deux Mers" or "Between Two Seas".
Mostly used during holidays.
It passes nearby Baziege, sometimes we can hear it as background noise when we're in the garden and there is a specific wind, but it's another story.

Cherry Tree

My neighbors have an old cherry tree in their garden.
Children long to pick big red mature cherries.
One month to wait !

Morning Haze

A morning haze on the Hers-Mort River this morning.
"Mort" means dead in french, because this marsh was dried out from the 18th.
More information about Hers-Mort here.

Baziege Railway Station

On the way back from Sainte Colombe Chapel, I stop at the railway station.
This is the way to Toulouse which is 20 km far.
Nobody at the ticket booth : there is only a vending machine.

Chapelle Sainte Colombe

The Sainte Eutrope Chapel known in Baziege as Sainte Colombe is located in a charming glen outside the village.
It is a small building in bricks which is typical of our area.
Pilgrims can stop here on the way to Saint Jacques de Compostelle.
On April 12 1814, there were a battle here during the retreat of the army of Napoleon.

Violets from Toulouse

A bouquet of violets I found in my garden last month.

This flower is the symbol of Toulouse.

Hope this will augur well for this new daily photo blog.