So what brought this on then?

From time to time, René has been heard to say "I'd love a little boat" which I ignored. It never came over as a burning need, more a flight of fancy. Me and a boat? Er, no thanks, plenty of other stuff to do and anyway, last time I was in a boat we capsized.

Back in August 07, I saw an ad on a forum – 'boat for sale' sounded just the thing for puttering along the Brittany canals. Turned out it was a renovation project and needed some careful thought so we adjourned to a restaurant and stuffed our faces on Moules et frites in Dinan. Post pudding I suddenly realised that Rene was saying something important...

"Are you saying you want to sell up, buy a boat and sail?" I enquired of my husband.

A short pause

"well yes, I guess that's what I'm saying"

A long pause

during which time, my life as I know it, flashed in front of my eyes and I gripped the sides of the table in panic.

Calm returned and a voice said "well then, that's what we'll do"