48:23.551N 004:25.005W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Sat 21 Jul 2012 15:29
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"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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