About 35 members arrived by Land, Sea & Air, some even emerged from the long grass surrounding Civray!
Members of the French club soon surrounded them, and a great deal of smiling and kissing ensued. Their luggage was quickly transferred to waiting vehicles and the hosts then escorted them to the Town Hall for very welcome refreshments, where even more greetings were experienced.  The club presidents gave their usual greetings and after formalities we were whisked away to the homes of our hosts, and the real business of the Jumelage began.

Monday 28th July, a morning with our hosts.  Many of us enjoyed coffee in the town square, just watching the world go by, basking in the sun and revelling in making ourselves understood.  Quite easy when four friends, on holiday, from Downham Market turned up unexpectedly!  In the afternoon we visited some prehistoric caves alongside the River Charente where it passes through Savigne, and early man hunted for his food.  We were accompanied by the Mayor of Savigne who later officially welcomed us in the Town Hall.  Tinker Taylor wearing a suit and bedecked with his Rotary International, Paul Harris medal for Service to the Community was the honoured guest of the Mayor, who had known Tinker for some twenty-four years.  For once Tinker was lost for words.  We all applauded the man who was one of the originators of the Twinning with Civray when the Mayor was but a young man, and we drank to the health of the Jumelage, after various speeches of thanks in French and English.
 
Tuesday morning, more coffee in a now crowded square full of market stalls selling anything from hats to sausages.  The specially built vehicles for retailing were an impressive sight.  Many of us purchased goods at very realistic prices.  The afternoon saw us in St Macoux for the now famous barbecue, which for some, lasted well into the late evening.  Wine flowed freely, the food delicious, the company as usual superb and many friendships renewed, despite the fact that the French beat us at Boules.  Bill’s underhand tactics were to no avail.  Much fun.

Wednesday an early start today for we were off to The Grand Parc, Le Puy de Fou.  Boy, what an experience.  An Arena just under the size of the Coliseum in Rome complete with Roman Soldiers, Christian slaves, Lions, Tigers, Chariot racing, a full parade, Gladiators, all ending with Caesar being thrown in the ring and chased out by a Hyena.  An active Roman style Hotel.  A working medieval city with craftsmen plying their trade.  Musical fountains.  Vikings invading a village, complete with longships – one rising from the depths.  Birds of Prey prancing and flying to music, Knights on horseback with a huge hunting bird sitting behind the rider.  All shapes and sizes flying everywhere, hopping onto the heads of a row of children, falling down from a balloon high in the sky, gauntlet hands held high, birds were everywhere culminating in some twenty to thirty flying above our heads.  A wonderful sight to see a bird with a metre wing span passing in close proximity.  A short enactment of the Musketeers then horses dancing to music, with female accompaniment. All in a huge hall.  Dressage that left you breathless.  A full-scale attack on a Castle with plenty of ground fighting.  Automated musicians appearing at windows around the Market Square, giving a rendition worth hearing.  Just a few of the things going on, not really possible to see all – but well worth a return visit.  It was good to have a long coach trip back just to try and get back to normality.