Given the amount of weed in the canal, we were pleased to find a weed-eater machine in the next section of the canal that was hard at work today. Basically, they dredge up the weed and then unload it via a conveyor belt into piles of weed on the side of the canal, which they then leave to dry. We had seen these dried piles when we rode to Castets, and today we saw how they had been made.

We decided to stay where we moored in Fontet and then explore the area. We rode via a back road along an embankment designed to contain the Garonne River and went to la Reole. A very interesting town, with a variety of new shops integrated into the old town streets, and a large public space next to the old abbey, much of which is now used by the Mairie.

A superb view over the Garonne and the valley was seen from the area near the Mairie, with lots of parachutists going up and down from the airport near Fontet. Found out that a night market was to be held that night, so no prizes for guessing where we are going to be. Lunch from the boulangerie, then cycled back to Fontet. In the afternoon, Rita went to the lake to swim. However, there were too many people and she couldn't really do laps.

We then went to the Matchstick Museum in Fontet. We had heard a lot about this place from other bargees, and it was a fascinating place run by several guys in wheelchairs. The first guide was a ex-speedway rider (grass track) who was injured in a racing accident, and who now does wood carvings, several of motorbikes. He then passed us along to an ex-commercial barger, who had lots of photos from along the Garonne Canal. Then we met the maestro, who had several Guinness Book of Records awards for his matchstick creations. They were amazing, especially the Palace of Versailles. We also liked his model of the Abbey at Le Reole, which we had visited that morning. Compare the two for yourself.

That evening we went to the night market at la Reole. Unfortunately, unlike Damazon, we knew nobody, and the music was not that great (traditional French folky stuff). But the beer and frites were good, as were the strawberries and cream, and it was fun to watch the passing parade.

We cycled home from la Reole over the River Garonne in the gathering darkness.