We started with a cool morning, but I was awake early to follow the AFL game between the Hawks and the Giants (who would go to the top of the table if they won). After an oscillating game, the result was a 97-97 draw, after the Hawks kicked the last two goals in the closing minutes. This was the Giants second draw in two weeks (only the second time this has ever occurred in 150 years of the game). The result showed that, while the year overall has been a disappointing one for the Hawks as they rebuild, they can still compete with the best, having beaten the then-leader Adelaide just two weeks ago.

We made an early start at 0845h, and along the way called the Toulouse capitainerie to make a booking for the night, because we realised we were having a slight problem with our power supply system. The batteries were not being charged while we were cruising, even though the display indicated that we were “charging” - leads me to think that there is a problem with the alternator on the engine. And the display for the generator says that “Maintenance is Needed”, but doesn’t specify what is needed. The generator still runs and charges the batteries, but it takes several attempts to get it started and continuing to run. It starts OK, but if the display doesn’t change to showing volts and amps, then it shuts down and tries re-starting. After 3 attempts it gives up and says “AC voltage problem”. You can then try again and eventually (so far) it keeps running. But I don’t want to push my luck until I know what the problem is, so we are looking for a powered site to recharge the batteries from shore power.

The run into Toulouse is not very attractive, with lots of industrial activities along the canal. One that has fascinated me before are the covered car yards stretching for hundreds of metres along the eastern bank. I’ve never been sure of their purpose, since there are a mixture of new and used vehicles, cars and vans, and all sorts of makes. One day I will discover their purpose.

Another place that has puzzled me is St Jory. It looks like a relatively modern town, and has potentially good mooring options, but the long stretch of quai along the western bank north of the town has no bollards for mooring, and the packed stone surface does not allow for the use of spikes for wild mooring.

At the southern end of this quai, there is a dock that is marked on the GuideFluvial, but the timber railing along the face has disintegrated, leaving 150mm steel spikes poking out ready to rip a hole in the hull of any boat attempting to moor there. I guess St Jory is trying to discourage boats from mooring in town! (even though we moored overnight on the waiting pontoon after the locks had closed in 2013).

One thing that has improved on this stretch of the canal are the bollards and sliders within the locks. In 2013, they were in a deplorable state, but the VNF now appears to have rectified the problems.

As we approached Toulouse, Rita spotted an Op Shop near the lock at LaLande, and couldn’t resist ducking in to see if there were any bargains. Naturally, she found some, even though this meant that our arrival in Toulouse was delayed a bit until 1830. As we went though the last lock at Matabiau Gare, we received an SMS from the Capitainerie at St Sauveur asking if we were still coming, and she was relieved to hear that we were nearly there. By now we had decided to stay for two nights, so she allocated us a spot at the end of the pontoon at the southern end of the port.

This location was a good one for watching the big party barges cruising up and down the canal. The first one was a private barge that sported a large garden on the rear deck, and an unusual fender on the front.

The second one was a commercial barge that specialised in parties, as evidenced by all the balloons and all the Captain’s Hats on the men. Never seen so many Skippers on one barge in my life!

One thing about mooring in ports is that you never quite know who you will be tied up next to. As we were tieing up in Toulouse, a German guy on the adjacent boat (no names, no pack drill!) offered to help, and gave us some advice about where to moor on the end of the pontoon. I was quite happy to accept his advice, but Rita seemed somewhat hesitant. It was not until a bit later that Rita pointed out that he was wearing only underpants under his t-shirt! From then on, we gave Mr Undies a wide berth.