Lounging in Languedoc: Paul Coates

Being a keen and reasonably competent cook, Paul watched countless food and travel programs for inspiration and new ideas. One series, by the British chef Rick Stein, had buried itself deep into his psyche. Less so because of culinary merit, which was interesting, but more to do with the setting. Rick spent six weeks on a barge cruising from Bordeaux to Marseille along the Canal du Midi and Canal du Garonne in Southern France. Along the way he explored food markets, learnt about local produce and, inevitably, met with wine makers and cooked regional dishes. Now Paul had no desire to replicate the cooking side of the trip, but he was not averse to sampling the creations of others who knew their way around a kitchen. That aside, the idea of cruising idly along a canal eating good food, drinking quality wine and exploring a historic part of France, without a care in the world, sounded very, very appealing.

Kate was less convinced. She loved travel and organised many meticulously planned excursions over the years which were exciting and adventurous. For her, there were no fortnights lazing by a pool soaking in the sun. It simply didn't appeal. There was an entire world out there to explore and no time for sitting around a rectangle of bacteria infested water watching wrinkly fat old men in speedos develop skin cancer. Every holiday she planned was jam packed with tours, events and visits to iconic places. Nevertheless, the niggling French Barge Thought Worm (FBTW) wriggled in the back of his mind and it wasn't going anywhere. Occasionally it would surface during their holiday planning conversations, only to eventually be dismissed by Kate.

That is until one fateful evening. They were at home discussing a proposed trip when Paul's FBTW popped out whilst new travel ideas and destinations were being brainstormed. This usually happened at the early stage of negotiations before eventual rejection. What wasn't usual was, that on this occasion, the FBTW was well and truly hooked by Kate. Much to Paul's surprise, it didn't wriggle off. A frenetic trip around England, Italy and France was proposed and agreed, but Kate had decreed that a few days on a barge could be accommodated during the four-week excursion. She conceded that it would be quite nice to sleep in one bed for a whole week and just relax. Mentally fist pumping, Paul chose not to argue the point.

Eighteen months later Paul, Kate and four friends found themselves commencing an unforgettable week cruising on the Excellence. This is the story of their barge adventure.