THREE WEEKS IN FRANCE May 9, 2008 Rochefort

The boys stayed home today and we went to Rochefort to see a ship that is being hand built. The Hermione, picture of completed ship is to the right and information about the project are above, is an exact replica of the ship used by Champlain to help the US win the Revolutionary War. They are using the same techniques used from that era and are giving tours through the ship. It is in a covered dry dock and it is huge. It should be ready to sail in 2010 and it’s maiden voy

age will go into the Boston harbor the same as Champlain. Outside of the dry dock they have more craftsmen working forges and making wood devices for the ship. This way you can see what went into making ships.

Here is the progress being made on the ship from the outside and inside.

This is one of the workers at a forge working on some of the metal pieces going into building the ship.

In this park they also have a rope museum. Sounds kind of dull but what’s fascinating is how long this building is. It’s several blocks long as the ropes being made were that long. They would be used for mooring the ships and other uses in the ships.

On the way back to Thierry's Wes saw these fishermen working on the docks.

We had lunch at Thierry’s parents house along with Yoyo, Delphine and Kylian. Thierry’s father built there house with the help of family and neighbors. They didn’t have contractors help them, they did it all on their own. It’s a very nice house but did notice one strange thing. Their bathroom was very long and narrow with a toilet. The rest of the bathroom was in a different room, another typical French thing. The lunch was wonderful as usual with many courses. After lunch Mia showed me the rest of their house and the garden in the back. Thierry’s dad really takes pride in his homes and the yards.

And this is Thierry, his father, Kylian & Yoyo.

Later in the day we went to a rather unique bridge. It was built in 1890 and was used to transport people and wagons across the river. It has two large towers with a crossbeam across the top. From this beam a large platform is suspended by cables and this is what people ride in. Quite something to see in motion.

Evelyne made dinner tonight and I actually knew what it was. We had veal which I haven’t had since the 70s. I think the US stopped selling veal as it was deemed cruel. The calves were kept confined in such small pens to keep their meat tender before they were slaughtered. But that doesn’t seem to be an issue here. It was pretty tasty.

We have all shifted our sleeping arrangements as Yoyo is here. They are taking the room we had which was his when he lived here. And Mia and Thierry are taking the room next to them and we’ve moved into their room. Thierry thought it would be more comfortable for everyone if Yoyo, Delphine and Kylian were next to family members in the next room.