To the waters and wilds of Camargue

AFTER overnighting in a chilled-out Irish-owned château, we began our journey in Port Cassafières near Béziers, on the “Flamingo Cruise”.

Starting at the end of the famous Canal du Midi, it promised an unforgettable journey through canal, open lagoon, river and marsh, ending alongside one of Europe’s greatest areas of wilderness — the Camargue; where the black bull, the white horse and the pink flamingo roam. It’s also known for the most vicious and numerous mosquitoes this side of the Nile, so we had prepared with insect repellent, treatment for after-bite, and bunches of lavender to place strategically around the boat to ward off the flying pests.

After a brief, unhurried training session with a très patient instructor, named Jean-Louis, it was time to cast off. “Lachez les cordes,” I yelled to the assembled crew (I was learning fast). My three teenage sons stared back at me blankly. I instructed my sons to let go the ropes and to coil them neatly at the back of the boat. Soon, we were pottering along the canal at 8km/hour, floating into adventure.