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Private Barge Cruise in the South of France via Lufthansa First Class

Private Barge Cruise in the South of France via Lufthansa First Class

Old Jun 22, 2015, 4:52 pm
  #61  
 
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Thank you sir! For once again sharing an epic journey!!
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Old Jun 22, 2015, 7:09 pm
  #62  
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Love this TR thanks SFO777

Can you identify this cheese closest to you? It appears to be something resembling a pont l'eveque but I didn't see it on the trolley. Given you have previously taken your own ramekin on a flight, do you now carry your own cheese supply?

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Old Jun 23, 2015, 12:58 am
  #63  
 
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SFO777, this is another great trip report!
Im pretty sure I recognized your wife today at MUC FCL while I was waiting for my flight to BOS.
I should've said hello but I wasn't sure it was actually you
Thank you for sharing your amazing trips.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 7:48 am
  #64  
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I loved the barge accommodation.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 9:53 am
  #65  
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Day 2 started off calm, sunny and +15/59. So breakfast on the deck.



And we headed just after 10AM for this morning's tour.







To the Ensérune archaeological site and museum, featuring ruins and artifacts from a 2,000+ year old Roman settlement.



























On our way back to the barge we stopped in Capestang at a local wine producer for wine tasting. Languedoc is not Burgundy, and these wines for the most part, while interesting, were pretty forgettable.









Meanwhile, back on barge, Ang met us with the usual welcome back drinks.





Since the wind had picked up, we headed inside for lunch.











And resumed our cruise up the canal.



As the weather started to turn cloudy and windy.













Windy and rainy outside, we passed the afternoon drinking wine and playing Trivial Pursuit, the Canadian version. Hah, that was a hoot.



Happy hour, hors d'oeuvres and more wine.



Ang with tonight's menu.







Fabulous potato and truffle tortellini.



Wonderful wine.



And amazing pork medallions.










For more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.

Last edited by SFO777; Jun 23, 2015 at 12:21 pm
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 10:08 am
  #66  
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Originally Posted by flyingbee
I'm loving this report - you are in my area and I know the canal du midi. I've seen some beautiful barges on the canal so it is nice to see what kind of experience you get. I'm curious to read about your departure from TLS and what you thought about the airport. It's been a beautiful weekend in the TLS area. Wonderfully warm, but not too hot!
Thank you flyingbee. We loved the Canal du Midi. And TLS is a very attractive airport. The lounge is adequate although the colours a little abrasive.
Actually spent a lot of time there as our Lufthansa flight was 90 minutes late.

Originally Posted by HawaiiTrvlr
What an amazing journey. Did the barge go through any locks while on the cruise? Looking forward to the rest of the trip. And welcome back to Denver. Apparently summer has finally shown itself.
Thanks HawaiiTrvlr. Yes, lots of locks towards the end of the cruise.

Originally Posted by johnashw
This may have been mentioned previously or may have been part of your pre-trip research but if not, and you want to vicariously relive the joys of travelling down the Canal Du Midi, then I would recommend watching Rick Stein's (a UK TV Chef) journey from Bordeaux to Marseille.
https://www.rickstein.com/about/rick...rench-odyssey/
As TV Chef's go he makes for a genial travelling companion.
Thanks very much johnashw. Will have to check it out.

Originally Posted by flyer121
Great report. I must say, however that food portions on the barge look rather skimpy.
LOL. Thanks flyer121. With multiple courses, portion size was perfect. Can't imagine trying to eat anymore.

Originally Posted by Yahtzee
Adding popcorn to that dish is such a nicely whimsical French touch. That runny cheese in the middle looks amazing.
Food presentation and quality was wonderful.

Originally Posted by JohnRain
Who says FT isn't an educational site... I just added two new words to my English vocabulary


Originally Posted by Martina70
Thank you for another fabulous trip report. :-:
Thanks so much Martina70.

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
presumably multiple courses?
Lots of multiple courses.

Originally Posted by HMPS
They were in France
^

Originally Posted by DutchGuy
Thank you sir! For once again sharing an epic journey!!
Thanks DutchGuy.

Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
Love this TR thanks SFO777
Can you identify this cheese closest to you? It appears to be something resembling a pont l'eveque but I didn't see it on the trolley. Given you have previously taken your own ramekin on a flight, do you now carry your own cheese supply?
Thank you very much JohnnyColumbia. I think it was the Rouge Affinée, hidden behind the grapes on the cart.

Originally Posted by heramato
SFO777, this is another great trip report!
Im pretty sure I recognized your wife today at MUC FCL while I was waiting for my flight to BOS. I should've said hello but I wasn't sure it was actually you
Thank you for sharing your amazing trips.
Thanks so much heramato for your kind comments. If it was between 10A and 11:10A (in the dining area and then back towards the Cigar Lounge across from the guy in the Montreal Canadiens T-shirt), that would have been us. Too bad you didn't stop by.

Originally Posted by Annalisa12
I loved the barge accommodation.
Thank you Annalisa12. We loved them.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 10:29 am
  #67  
 
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Were you on LH458 yesterday (22JUN)? Wasn't quite sure if it was you and your wife as I walked past to the J cabin.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 10:30 am
  #68  
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Originally Posted by GE90115B
Were you on LH458 yesterday (22JUN)? Wasn't quite sure if it was you as I walked past to the J cabin.
No, wasn't us. We returned Sunday (21st) on LH452, MUC-LAX.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 11:47 am
  #69  
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Consider that cheese already Googled, and loving the update thanks. Looks amazing.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 12:11 pm
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
Love this TR thanks SFO777

Can you identify this cheese closest to you? It appears to be something resembling a pont l'eveque but I didn't see it on the trolley. Given you have previously taken your own ramekin on a flight, do you now carry your own cheese supply?

That cheese looks like Vieux Pané to me, based on the pattern and colour of the rind, although I think there are other cheeses it might be that look similar.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 1:34 pm
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Originally Posted by JohnnyColombia
Consider that cheese already Googled
Hah, ditto. And looks to possibly be available at Costco; doesn't get any better than that.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 1:53 pm
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What an awesome trip report SFO777!! Thanks, T
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 2:21 pm
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Another awesome TR SFO777-always something new to supplement the usual LH F flights ^
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 3:18 pm
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Originally Posted by steveman518
Another awesome TR SFO777-always something new to supplement the usual LH F flights ^
Alas ! No BA flts.
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Old Jun 23, 2015, 6:55 pm
  #75  
 
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First, muchas gracias for the detail, context and well-rounded report. Great stuff!

Three questions: (1) did the donkeys that you photographed make a classic donkey honking noise? They seem sublime in the moment of the picture, but I recall from my Peace Corps stint that they can and do make a racket sometimes ; (2) were the vegetables on the barge noteworthy? They look special but it could be your camera wizardry; (3) are the wines on the barge your own, or could you have opened your own / something you bought along the way? I have never taken such a trip and I am curious about the protocol.

Cheers and thank you very much.
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