More wind about wind

I went for a bike ride today from Meze east along the N113 to Bouzigues.  As I was leaving Meze, I ran into a convoy of super-jumbo trucks bearing the blades for wind turbines.  They were coming off of the autoroute at the Sete exit, and travelling west to the Villeveyrac area via the N113.

They were quite a sight, as each blade is probably 25 m long.  They are transported on a truck, which carries the base of the blade.  Its tail is carried on a separate bogie, unconnected to the truck, except by the blade itself.  The whole kit and kaboodle moves in a convoy, complete with police escort.

So how do they get around the rond points?  In this case, backwards (ie counterclockwise).  The rear end of the blade is on a bogie that can actually be steered around corners, and is controlled by radio from a car that follows immediately behind.  It was quite a sight, as the blade was missing the  lampposts by mere centimeters!  In typically french fashion, and notwithstanding the police presence, impatient motorists started following the blade counterclockwise around the rond point.  I watched six of these behemoths negotiate their way through the narrow streets of Meze.  There is obviously a market for wind power here.

While the wind power issue may be very advanced in France, regrettably, the same cannot be said for their bike paths.  Here is the one I was on today.  It may not be obvious from the picture, but the quality of the trail is extremely poor.  There are large rocks littering the way, and very little signage.  In fairness, the signs do indicate that the trail is currently being developed, but my advice is, bring tools and a pump!  On the other hand, the landscape through which the trails pass is unsurpassed.  Today's ride took me through the east end of the Etang de Thau where I saw the running of the Bream (fish so abundant you could scoop them up with a bucket) and countless waterfowl (all they have to do is hang around with an open beak!)