Frigate "Hermione" in dock at Rochefort, France

After many years of hard work building this replica 18thC frigate from scratch, she is due to start her sea trials tomorrow. We cycled over to the Arsenal in Rochefort this morning to enjoy some of the atmosphere... a band was playing, crew members in matelot shirts mingled with people in funny costumes, and the sun came out to shine on us.

If all goes well, next year the "Hermione" is due to sail to Boston and commemorate the moment in 1780 when the French Navy came to the support of American 'rebels'.