Monday morning was free time for our visitors to recover from the journey. After lunch the programme of visits began with The Denver Sluice Complex. Our visitors also wanted to see the Mill at Denver and we managed this on the return journey. An invitation to join Chas Tagg and Pat Osler in the evening in their garden was spent with lots of very good food and plenty of wine, a very pleasant evening. The weather was good but the evening came to an early finish as it became chilly. The weather improved after this and all the evenings were warmer.

On Tuesday our visitors went on an all day trip to London, Buckingham Palace being the main attraction with lunch at The Thistle Tower Hotel. My wife used the opportunity to pop off and see her mum who was in hospital. Our guests had enjoyed their day. During our meal they expressed that Buckingham Palace was very grand.

A  reception was held by the Town Council on Wednesday morning in the Town Hall to welcome our guests and speeches were made. Once again wine was available along with some nibbles. During the reception a photo-shoot was held with hosts and guests at the Town Clock. The afternoon was free time. We took the opportunity to take our guests for lunch at the Jenyns Arms at Denver where we were fed well. Francis was moved to tell the landlord that all the stories in France about English food being uninteresting were patently untrue, he certainly enjoyed his meal. In the evening a barbecue and Ceillidh was held at the Conservative Club, where the food was plentiful. I hadn’t been sure about the Ceilidh but our French friends really took to it and danced all night long, the quality of the music was top notch, really good.

Cambridge for a guided trip and a visit to King’s College, with the afternoon free to shop or just take in the Cambridge ambience was Thursdays visit. We were lucky enough to be invited to dinner at Steve and Sharon Reynolds, a very good evening ensued with good food, wine and excellent company. Community singing was the high spot of the night, in English and French, I think everyone was especially impressed by Ralph Perkins version of ‘Singing in The Rain’.

Friday morning was a visit to Watlington after our guests were prized from their bed. The church and social centre were visited, followed by an excellent guided trip around Richard Rockcliffe’s farm at Runcton Holme.  In the evening a Dinner Dance was held in the Town Hall. A good meal was supplied by Sally’s Classic Catering and this was followed by a live band. However word had spread and outside, taking place was a reprise of Ralph’s Singing in The Rain! We didn’t stay too late as we were making an early start the next day.

Saturday and Sunday were free with no organised activities, we decided to take our guests to London on the train, leaving at 8 am. From Kings Cross we caught a bus to Oxford Circus and walked down Oxford Street towards Marble Arch. The only shop we visited was the new ‘Primark’ store, we were asked, “can we come back later please”. Another bus took us to Victoria and then a walk to Buckingham Palace where we were disappointed to find no changing of the guard. A Troop of horseguards passing by however slightly made up for this. We walked to through St.James Park to Trafalgar Square and then back along The Mall and had an excellent picnic in Green Park. We returned to Primark’s and then to Kings Cross for the train to Downham Market. A wonderful day was completed by a barbecue in the garden, everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Sunday was quieter with a walk around King’s Lynn, some shopping for our guests at Tesco and lunch in the garden, (more wine). In the evening we went to Dinner at Richard Ehlers, another good evening with good company. All too soon Monday morning came and we had to make a sorrowful farewell to  our friends. It had been a really good week with activities to keep people interested and some good nights at friends all of whom we would like to thank for their invitations and hospitality. Roll on next year and our visit to Civray it can’t come soon enough.

Christine and Stephen Nunn

The Coach
Arrives

At Denver

Dinner with
Chas & Pat

Reception
Speeches

At The
Clock

The
Barbecue

The Ceillidh

The Ceillidh

The Ceillidh

Ralph at
Steve &
Sharon’s

Watlington
Church

Watlington
Church

On the
Farm

On the
Farm

Francis &
Roselyne
On the Farm

Dinner at the
Town Hall

Ralph’s
‘Singing in
The Rain’

In London

Sunday at
Richard’s

Sunday at
Richard’s

Tearful
Farewell