Quimper, May 17, 2017

Quimper, May 17, 2017

We docked in Brest early this morning, our alternate port to Horta in The Azores. Brest is a HUGE harbor on the northwest tip of France. The city was leveled by the Allies prior to the Normandy Invasion in WWII so everything is new, well, 60+ years old which in the Old Country might as well be last week.

The Shore Excursion department scrambled to line up a few outings plus a shuttle to town. Because it is a commercial port, passengers can't just walk off the ship and then wander about. Security dockside isn't exactly air tight, but it is there.

We were met with cool temperatures and a constant light rain as we boarded our bus for the one hour drive to Quimper (kam-pare) that is far enough away from the port to have been spared bombing during the war. Our charming French guide, Nathalie led us through the cobblestone streets to the 13th century cathedral in the center of the oldest part of town. And what a nifty town it is! It's far enough off the usual tourist track that the town is actually a town for the residents with shops they use. Not a Diamond International or Del Sol T-Shirt store to be found.

This is Brittany famous for crepes and butter. They still speak Breton although French is the primary language. All the street signs are in French and Breton which is pretty indecipherable. Nathalie confirmed that. She told us that children are taught French in schools with Breton left to the older generations. She said her parents would speak in Breton when they didn't want her to understand.

It rains a lot in this part of France which means the countryside is very green and lush, very nice for the cows plus the Chesnut trees, hydrangeas and rhododendron which were all in bloom. All in all, despite the rain, a nice day.