Last night at Tanlay

I've just been on my evening constitutional walk which happens around 8.30pm at dusk or 'dimpsey' as Westcoutry folk are apt to say.  The walk takes me past the other moored boats in the port and along the short stretch of canal that leads from the pond of the port to the lock.  It looks a bit like an infinity pool as the land drops down on the other side and tonight the moon was glistening on the water making it look far nicer than it does in daylight when it looks a bit murky - hardly surprising when you consider what is discharged in there in the wake of the pleasure boats!

So it was my last walk and the last time I would walk past the apple tree that in the last week has seen apples ripen and glow, little green glowing balls on the tree for about a week, and then fall to the ground.  They looked beautiful and now lie in a rather brown mess at the base.  More than Myriam and I could hope to eat - although we tried!  We have also eaten a good many Mirabelle plums from two trees that are in the port.  Unfortunately the boughs are just too high to reach and by the time they fall down with a good shake of the tree, they will be past their best and rather woolly.  Anyhow, that has not happened yet and they remain up there - unreachable and in their prime.

As I reach the lock and walk over the metal grating that sits on top of the lock gates I can see the gush of water that continually spills through, so the water is never completely at a standstill in the canal - there is always a bit of flow, and more so when the locks are working.

Wandering back up on the other side there is a very good view of the boats, and I must say that Quercy does look beautiful and many people take photos of her.  To get back on the other side where she is moored one has to walk up over the bridge that takes road traffic over the canal.  As I took this last walk over the bridge I heard a Tawney Owl for the first time.  August 13th.  Has it just arrived, or just decided to start calling tonight?

Immediately after that comes the smell of pizza from the Pizzeria du Port.  At 30 degrees plus even at 9 oclock at night those kitchens must be hot! It's a bustling little place always busy from mid morning to about 10.30pm, but although we are almost on top of it, there is never much noise after this time. People come to eat drink laugh and chat and then go home.  So getting quiet now - people are leaving, the candle is flickering on our table out on the back deck where I am sitting and lots of little dark grey moths are bothering me!