Reception and Dinner at the Salle Polyvalente

The Saturday evening reception was held in the village hall as the Mairie was set up for the second round of the Presidential elections the following day. There were speeches, champagne, and the presentation of an engraved slate plaque, before the four-course dinner was served. The evening was a delightful and relaxed opportunity to catch up with the French families we have known over thirty-four years of twinning.

Sunday Excursion

The Sunday excursion was to Rouen, where there was a walking tour with an English speaking guide who led us through the mediaeval lanes to see the Cathedral, painted by Monet, the fascinating charnel house of St Maclou, the old market, and the dramatic modern church of St Joan of Arc. There was a tourist train tour for those preferred to sit down to travel the ancient streets.

Picnic

Our next rendez-vous was in the Forest of Roumare, where our hosts laid out a generous picnic, and the wild boar mothers and their piglets in their enclosure provided the entertainment.

Abbaye de Saint-Georges de Boscherville

A ride through the lovely villages and countryside of the right bank of the Seine brought us to the Abbaye de Saint-Georges de Boscherville, where we were guided around the thirteenth century church and chapter house by an enthusiastic English speaking guide. Unfortunately the sun was not strong enough for us to test the intriguing sun dials in the grounds, but the climb to the top was well worth it for the wide views of the French style gardens and surrounding fields and woods. Our return was via the ferry at Duclair and the left bank of the Seine. After an enjoyable day, the evening was spent in  dinner parties with our hosts.

This was spent re-acquainting ourselves with the pretty village of La Bouille, painted by the impressionists, or visiting the traditional produce market at Bourg-Achard. After lunch there was the extended leave-taking and then the return journey to Calais. We arrived after midnight at Pangbourne, and were delighted that, as we had travelled in an aptly-named mini coach, Matthew the driver could take us over to Whitchurch, saving a longer walk home.