Friday 11th/Sat 12th April
We left Nether Stowey at 3pm and, after travelling across the channel from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, we arrived in France at 9am the following morning. We drove across northern France, stopping off for a quick lunch break on the motorway, before arriving in the beautiful cathedral town of Chartres where we were able to wander around the town and visit the ancient cathedral for a couple of hours. We then resumed the journey, arriving in Theillay at 6:30pm. All our host families and Theillay Twinning Association members were there to greet us and, after a short and pleasant reception, we all returned with our host families to their homes.
Sunday 13th
The programme allowed for host families to entertain their guests until 6pm. Many families were taken on a tour of the district, visiting such places as the beautiful city of Bourge, small villages famous for their potteries, chateaux and, obviously, some vinyards! Others stayed more locally and explored Theillay or visited friends they had made on previous visits.
At 6pm we assembled in the local village hall (le Foyer Rural) for our, now traditional (but not too serious), sporting challenge. In the past we have played football, table tennis, rounders and boules - but this year they challenged us to a multi-sport tournament of handball, tennis and table tennis. They won the competition - but not the trophy, since we had managed to forget to take it with us!
After all that strenuous activity we sat down to a splendid picnic style evening meal which, naturally, was accompanied by much wine and bon-homie. A sign of the success of the twinning of our two villages was that nearly 200 people in all joined in the festivities.
Monday 14th
In various states of wakefulness we assembled outside the church at 8:15 to travel by coach to a nearby village, where we boarded a delightful narrow gauge tourist train bound for the sleepy town of Valencay. After a pleasant stroll around the quiet (it was Monday!) town and a leisurely coffee in a typical French cafe-bar we wandered down to the local primary school, where we joined the young children in their canteen for lunch.
In the afternoon we visited the magnificent Chateau Valencay where many of our party partook of the grand tour.The chateau was built in 1540 on the remains of a 12th century castle and in 1803 was purchased by Napoleon's minister of foreign affairs. The children, however, seemed to appreciate the fascinating maze more highly than the stunning architecture!
Many of our party also partook of the wine tasting that had been laid on for us whilst others enjoyed a wander around the small but extremely interesting motor museum.
During the evening we were entertained variously by our host families.
Tuesday 15th
After 3 days of extremely convivial hospitality, the day of departure (which seemed as always to come too soon) began at the unfriendly hour of 8am (7am English time!). We congregated at le Foyer Rural where, after half an hour of fond farewells we, sadly, had to board our coach to begin the long journey home.
Heading along the autoroute towards Le Havre the journey passed more quickly for the exchange of anecdotes. Passed more quickly that was until the coach broke down! A mere 40 minutes from the port, just as we pulled into a motorway service station, the alternator started to play up. But Chas, our very competent driver, managed to coax the vehicle all the way to the ferry port.
Because of calm seas and beautiful weather our afternoon ferry crossing seemed like a cruise and gave us all to unwind and share even more memories of a most delightful weekend.
On reaching Portsmouth we were met by a replacement coach which sped us home where we arrived just one minute after the planned time!
Merci Theillay!
Nous devons envoyer nos mercis au comité et aux membres de l'association
de jumelage de Theillay de l'accueil extrêmement chaleureux qu'ils
nous ont donné. Nous sommes très élogieux de tout le
travail dur qu'ils mettent dans organiser un programme si divers et intéressant
des activités pour nous.
(Bob wrote this!)
This visit has further strengthened the ties between our two villages. Half of our party of 50 people were first time visitors to Theillay and, without exception, all have stated their firm intention to return. In all more than 150 residents of Nether Stowey have now enjoyed the warm hospitality offered by the residents of Theillay and the twinning association is set to go from strength to strength.
The age range of our membership is from under 6 to over 60, and complete family groups will often travel with us. We have been most impressed and proud of the behaviour of the many children who have accompanied us. They have really been a credit to our village.
Membership is open to anybody that lives in or around Nether Stowey. If you would be interested in joining us just contact any committee member or Simon Duncan on 01278 732799
