16th July – Wednesday – Brest

Brest is one of the largest cities in France.  It is dominated by the castle which holds the Maritime Museum.  On the first day we just had a walk around, it was very foggy, to the extent that the fog siren was sounding.  The town is built on a grid pattern and has many shops, new squares and a metro.  Found a McCafe French style, cappucino and a lovely biccie for 2.60 Euro, bargain.

We have both read ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, Mick took 4 days (speed reading), I took 4 weeks and finished it today, but what a cracking story of wrong doing and revenge.  Kept us both enthralled, you need time though, and a kindle is deceptive when trying to judge the length of a book!

17th July – Thursday

Washing done and dry in 2 hours!!

Tourist trip around the Castle ‘Chateau Maritime Museum’, 6.5 euros including English audio guide.  The castle itself is impressive, parts have been rebuilt, during the tour there is a video showing the town after the war, totally ruined.

The tours takes you through the castle which also houses the museum.  There is a famous set of models made for one of the Louis’s which show ships interiors and how they are made, there are many relics from 16th century maritime explorations made by the seafarers of Brest.  Brest is a seafaring town and they are proud of their heritage and achievements.  There are a set of larger than life-sized sculptures of Greek gods which made an impressive display and were part of the wood carvers art used in the making of ships.  The museum then changed tack and displayed modern models and artefacts from submarines and warships of the 20th century.  Items which would normally not be seen and would go to the breakers yard.

There are a big thunder and lightning storm tonight.  We had left the bedding airing, fortunately under the canopy, unfortunately not all of it was under the canopy.  Fortunately the skies cleared and we just managed to dry everything before bedtime, with the help of the de-humidifier.

Met Donald and Deirdre on ‘Daylight Xpress’ and had a lovely evening chatting about life.

18th July – Friday

I have not yet mentioned the steps which lead from the marina to the main town.  Big old stone steps which just manage to wear out your legs near the top.  I cannot resist humming the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ tune and jumping up and down a bit when we get to the top. (da da daaaa, da da daaaa etc).  

Hypermarket shop, trolley, 2 rucks sacks and 2 bags. Up and down the steps.  Second wheel fell off trolley, this time un-repairable, we are down to our last trolley.

Early night as early start Saturday.

Info: The Marina is large and the visitor pontoon is a few minutes walk to the ‘Marina de Chateau’ capitainerie’s office (above), which is very well run and welcoming. There are two sets of facilities, one set in a cabin on the visitor jetty, which are new and clean, but have no mirror or plug socket, and no ventilation.  However, for the extra walk,  the facilities on shore are excellent (best yet), new, clean and free.  Marina charge was 33 euros per night.  There is a boulangerie 7 minutes walk along the sea front.  A small Carrefour City supermarket on the main street, approx 15 minutes walk and a huge L’Eclerc Hypermarket, upstairs, at the top of the main street approx 30 minutes walk away.