This past September, Nigel and Kristin did a kayaking trip across the south of France. Is it possible to kayak across the south of France you may wonder? Mais oui! But of course! Using the Canal du Midi, the Canal Lateral, and the Garronne River and Gironde estuary, they managed over 150 locks and many portages.
Not only that, they did it in the "Doubleshot", the tandem kayak that Nigel designed for Point 65.
It was really a fun way to do the trip, being close, observing and chatting as well as working together to reach their goal of over 600 kilometers. The scenery was rich, as were the fantastic cheeses they were able to sample along the way.
Tent pitched on the canal's bank, they enjoyed some lovely wines, Gigondas, St. Emilion and Chateau Margaux to mention a few.
Carcasonne, with its medieval city and the Cloisters at Moissac were two of the historical highlights that they took time to see.
After the confines of the canals, being on a river was expansive and exhilarating! There is a large tidal bore, or "mascaret" which makes its way far up the Garonne and is surfable at spring tides. At neaps, it is still rushing along at 10 to 12 mph!
Nigel and Kristin got to experience it in the evening from their camp beside the chateux and vineyards at Portets.
On their way again, current assisted, they reached their final destination, Royan at night. By then, the wind was blowing and Altantic swell was smacking the Doubleshot from the side. Once in the harbor, they could hardly see because the rain was pelting down so hard. But as they had come to say to each other over the course of the trip, "Its better to be lucky than smart". And once again, they were lucky. Nigel and Kristin will be doing presentations about their vacation in the south of France in the coming months and in 2011. No dates yet, but Portland Kayak Co. has put in a request.
After paddling across the south of France with Nigel, I thought about where I had been. 
This visit to The Musee de Robert Tatin, in Cosse le Vivien, France, came as a gift to us the day before we left France.
Trusting her enthusiasm, we hopped into the car and sped along narrow roads and through torrents of rain to this personal shrine.
Robert Tatin lived here for the last 21 years of his life. He is buried on the site. Though she moved out of the house so that this special place can be shared by many, a place is waiting for his wife, Lise, to join him when she is ready.
Tatin traveled widely and his imagery reflects this. Figures reminiscent of Incan gods and Indian goddesses populate the meditation garden. The figures all seem happy and content. Harmony reigns. One will see strong influences of great, early 20th century artists like Picasso, Miro and Klee, but the over all effect of the environment is quite original.
The glowering day could not dampen our delight. Heavy skies enhanced an aura of magic here as we wondered through the arcades, literally entering the world of Robert Tatin.
Cement and wire armatures were used to construct the sculptures and buildings on the land around a centuries old stone farm house. With in the labyrinth of the Meditation garden, one will visit numerous chambers and see displayed paintings, prints and ceramics also by Tatin.
Though it was Sunday and the weather was inclement, the museum was packed. It was so easy to spend time there! One wanted to absorb as much of the positive energy generated by such an out pouring of creativity as possible.
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