RQYS Mainsheet 2021

Missing the Med

FEATURE

MISSING THE MED Wish we were here …

Who would have thought that, for almost two years, we would not be able to travel and host our guests in this magnificent, historic and scenic area, laments Brian ‘Pozz’ Pozzey, who can’t wait to hit the canals of southern France and the Croatian coast once again.

Whilst Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and the Balearics remain a key focus for us to visit, it’s the French canals that are calling us as soon as we can get there. Our initial target is the famous ‘Canal Du Midi’ – especially its main boating artery which stretches east from Toulouse in the midlands and spills into the Mediterranean at Cassafieres. Sailing Adventures presents a food and wine experience along the Canal cruising from west to east. Hosted by our french chef Phillipe, we explore the food, the markets, the wineries and all things from gourmet to rustic in places not frequented by the typical tourist. Canal boats are our transport and accommodation, with stops at many of the out-of-the-way and boutique places along the Canal. Cruising the Canal du Midi in southern France is a romantic escape, a journey into history, a gastronomic delight, a wine lover’s paradise and a rare chance to move very slowly indeed in a totally relaxed atmosphere. The Canal du Midi is the biggest and most popular boating region of all the canals. Bathed in warm sunshine from April to October, the canal winds its way past a diverse spectrum of remote and picturesque countryside, quaint and sleepy villages and bustling cities full of history and charm. The Canal du Midi and the Embranchement de la Nouvelle run though the merged regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, now collectively named ‘Occitanie’ — although this region is still known as ‘Languedoc’ when referring to wine, culture and traditions.

The Canal’s designer, Pierre-Paul Riquet, created a work of art, with aqueducts, bridges, 91 locks, one tunnel and more than 42,000 plane trees lining its often-shaded banks. Truly an outstanding feat of engineering when completed in 1694, the main course of the Canal du Midi runs for 240km. Its very name—“the canal of two seas”—is imbued with resonance, its network of waterways actually connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and once serving as a major trade route. A Sailing Adventures Canal du Midi holiday presents a very special opportunity to experience this fabulous waterway first- hand with your friends or family, travelling at a pace that lets you meet the people and relax amidst stunning natural beauty while experiencing the produce of the region. Fingers crossed we may all be able to cruise again in 2022!

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YOUR SERVICE EXPERTS Complimentary pickup and delivery service from the RQYS club is available.

BRISBANE | 07 33965822

Mainsheet 2021

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