48:23.551N 004:25.005W

Whisper
Noel Dilly
Sat 21 Jul 2012 15:29
"Rest & Recreation Days"
 
The weather has improved, the sun is out but the temperature needs to rise a little before we dig out our shorts, even the locals are carrying their coats! 
 
Yesterday we had a very relaxed day, found the local supermarket which advertised delivery to the Marina.  This trip was made on foot up hill along the wrong road.  We retraced our steps downhill and walked uphill on a parallel road, this was not the correct road either.  We decided that rather than walk downhill again we would cut across the hill to the first road, via the Cemetery.  We then walked down hill and found the supermarket about 500 yards from where we had finally turned around on our first excursion up hill!  We were very amused, as by now time was getting on and the supermarket was about to close for lunch.  We rushed round the shop made our purchases; paid and asked for a lift down to the Marina as there was no way we could have carried our load.  Out from the back came a fellow swinging a bunch of car keys, we followed him out bearing our purchases, no regard made for our mature years, into the now damp drizzle over to a rather ancient looking saloon car.  Our bags were loaded into the boot and the back door of the car unlocked from the front (a long time since I have seen that happen), the smell of Gualois hit us like a lead balloon, the driver was clearly a smoker!  He turned the ignition key, nothing happened.  There was a slight pause and then he tried again and the engine thankfully burst into life, I didn't feel that I could hold my breath for too long, should he need to get out and crank the engine!  We arrived at the Marina fortunately without mishap, but I was surprised at that, cars were leaping out from all junctions, stopping to drop off their offspring in the middle of the road and such like. I was relieved not to be driving, but even more relieved to get out of the car when we pulled up at our destination.  
 
Today, we went for a leisurely stroll along the promenade and visited the Oceanopolis, a marine scientific centre.  The entrance fee seemed a little extortionate at first, but it really was worth every penny. The distinctive white concrete and glass building is shaped in the form of a crab, has a vast amount of exhibition space and three large aquaria.  We wandered about enjoying the many exhibits including the most amazingly clear photographs of specimens; films of researches and most amazingly film of the discovery of the Ceolacanth, a living fossil thought to be extinct; touch pools; life size models etc.  It really was the most marvelous tour of the worlds oceans.  There were aquaria of tropical fish and coral reefs; fish from the deep ocean bed; sharks; seals; exhibitions of the decompression equipment used to bring the fish to the surface from the deep sea.  All of immense interest and so much to see.  We were so absorbed that we could hardly believe that our visit had lasted five hours.  Most certainly value for money and well worth the visit.  
 
Rest and recreations days are over.  Tomorrow we are off sailing inland up the River Aulne, gateway to the Brest Canal!
 
Photo: Oceanopolis Tropical Fish Aquarium
 
    

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