It was our turn to be hosts after Bernard and Mary had brought us home. They are going camping in Narbonne, but stayed on Roaring Girl last night, together with the dogs. They'd never been on board before but settled down very well. This is Izzy, wearing the (debraided) cap of the Commodore of the New Zealand Navy. He's not very appreciative, but otherwise enjoyed being aboard with so much going on to watch and the endless attention of four people.
Now they've moved on, leaving us on our own. We are relaxing for a day or so and then moving on to Port St Louis de Rhone. There we are going to stop, sorting out the boat and having yet another de-cluttering exercise. (It's amazing how much you can accumulate.) By 20 September, our precious boat will be in dry dock, cleaned and swaddled for the months we will spend in the UK and New Zealand. We are very clear: this is real life. Working is an unfortunate necessity. Come next January, when we fly round the world, life will get back on course.