[password] rachel25
[position] 47 30.022n 002 43.454w
[status] Anchored off Suscinio
We have spent nearly two weeks languishing in Kernevel Marina just south of Lorient. Our check in to Europe and France was helped enormously by Nicolas (of SY Zingaro). Brittany is a wonderful place with warm summer sun, fresh air and a wonderfully energetic sailing population. It reminds us of Auckland. Everyone is on the water. Meanwhile, we have stayed off the water enjoying bike rides along the coast (bikes courtesy of the Marina at no cost) and into the local villages where we have bought fruit, wine, baguettes and croisants. We also visited the maritime museum which celebrates France's yachting prowess. Formidable! THe highlight of the fortnight was staying for 2 days with Nicolas and Benedicte in their lovely house in Clohars Carnoet, a little village 30 minutes drive west along the coast. They wined and dined us and showed us the beautiful architecture and quaint villages in the surrounding area before taking us to a dance where we tried hard with the traditional the Breton Dancing.

Today we had planned to start our passage north to Cornwall where we had hoped to meet up with our family and friends and celebrate the completion of our 5 year adventure. Sadly, Ana's Dad had a bad fall last Sunday, and has broken a vertebra in his neck. He is 96 and the bone will not heal so he is likely to be in a collar for the rest of his life and will need 24 hour care.

So yesterday the plans changed and Ana is now booked with Qantus for the 35 hour flight to Canberra next Tuesday. I considered sailing to Cornwall myself but Ana and I have come too far together and I know it would not be the same without her. So we are sailing to the Vilaine River and a small village called La Roche-Bernard. We will arrive there tomorrow and haul Ithaka onto the hard. There I will "put her to bed" and leave her.......FOR SALE.
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