|
Visit to
Chatelaillon-Plage
July 1st - 5th
31 of us, including Lord and Lady Cobbold, have just
returned from a wonderful long weekend in Châtel. The Lord Mayor and the
Comité de Jumelage held a reception at the Town Hall on Thursday.
Next day, a coach took us to Royan to catch the luxury
ferry across the Gironde estuary and on to the Médoc wine area. At the Château
Aney we were each invited to bottle our own wine and then awarded
certificates proving that we were now "Maîtres Embouteilleurs."
Someone was heard to comment that it was the first time he had ever put a
cork IN TO a bottle! A tour of the cellars, a dégustation of wine
and a four course lunch with liberal quantities of kir and wine completed
the visit. A quick siesta on the coach and then we were in Bordeaux admiring
the architecture and shops in brilliant sunshine.
Saturday dawned and over seventy of us met up by the
Office de Tourisme. Our tour took us to the area in Annette's painting with
a peaceful ride along the Canal de la Brodoire. This took us to a
fascinating and highly ornate dovecote, originally built in the 16th
century to house 2,959 pairs of pigeons. Whatever for? You may well ask. For
the excrement, of course, to use as fertiliser! Tours of a restored priory
and abbey, crossing the Charente on a suspended transporter bridge
(the only working example in France), a picnic under the walnut trees…
Many happy memories. That evening some of us strolled down to the harbour in
Châtel to see the moonlight reflected in the sea while others went admire
to La Rochelle by night.
On Sunday people chose their own activities - rumour has
it that the younger members of the group had a mud fight out near the oyster
beds. More sedate ones paddled in the sea or sipped their coffees in front
of the Casino. Four members of Knebworth Golf Club were challenged by
Châtel golfers to a match in La Rochelle. The result was an honourable
draw! A farewell garden party was held that evening - we were sad to say Au
revoir and are now looking forward to a return visit here in 2005.
One new member commented that she had always thought that
Twinning was "junkets for the Council" and she was amazed and
delighted to see that it was such fun - local people from both countries
enjoying each others' company.
A big thank you to Raymonde and her Committee for such a
splendid weekend!
Santé! Cheers!
|
