Our Trip To Civray (August 2004)
At the beginning of August, members of Downham Market Twinning Club made their biennial trip to Downham Market’s Twin town of Civray. Starting out at around 3.30am on Sunday morning, the majority of members were on the coach which had arrived from France to transport us across the Channel. The journey was not without its frustrations as the traffic around Paris was horrific and set us back at least an hour or more. This brought to mind maybe how sensible those members were who had decided to fly individually, but those who believe in travelling as a club still think the coach trip worthwhile. The coach arrived at Civray around 6.45pm, French time on Sunday
evening and we were all allocated to French hosts who looked after us really well all week.
Monday was free in the morning followed by a visit to a goat farm in the afternoon; the goats were supplying milk for the production of cheese and the visit was most enjoyable. A reception was held in the village of Linazy after a visit to the local church. On Tuesday the market held in
Monday was free in the morning followed by a visit to a goat farm in the afternoon; the goats were supplying milk for the production of cheese and the visit was most enjoyable. A reception was held in the village of Linazy after a visit to the local church. On Tuesday the market held in
Civray is a little larger than our one at home and selling almost anything you could think of. A formal reception was held in the Town Hall before a visit to the Floral Park at Magne. In between our hosts found time to take us to a restaurant for lunch; eating outside, what decadence! On Wednesday we had a full day out to Royan which is on the coast. A fine day was enjoyed including a visit to The Gardens of the World and the cathedral was most spectacular, very modern. On Thursday afternoon the regular picnic took place at St Macoux.
This year there was a barbecue with plenty to eat and of course as always, copious amounts of wine. On Friday we travelled to Angouleme for a day trip, with a conducted tour around the old town and then lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we visited a local cognac distillery. On Friday evening there was a dinner dance after a walk around the annual Friday evening market; never any hurry to actually get to the dinner. The ambience and pace of life is most attractive.
The weekend was free with your hosts; Our host family had a family christening to go to on Saturday evening. There was no question that we would stay behind, so we travelled 200 kilometres and took a full part in the ‘Bapteme’. It was a wonderful experience, both at the church and the party afterwards. We stayed in a local hotel and returned to the village hall for breakfast and then another full meal on Sunday lunchtime. On our return to Civray in the evening, another meal awaited with our hosts. You certainly wouldn’t starve on one of these trips. Of course everyone’s experiences are different as you are all staying with different families; however everyone spoke highly of their trip.
We left on Monday morning and arrived home late in the evening. A most wonderful week had been enjoyed by the members; very full, but enjoyable. The experience of life in France for a week is most rewarding, giving you a real flavour of how the French live. In August 2006 the Club will be visiting France again, in between, in 2005 the French will be visiting us at Downham Market. Hosts are always being sought and please give some thought to joining us and having a family visit. You just can’t believe what a good time there is to be had.
This year there was a barbecue with plenty to eat and of course as always, copious amounts of wine. On Friday we travelled to Angouleme for a day trip, with a conducted tour around the old town and then lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we visited a local cognac distillery. On Friday evening there was a dinner dance after a walk around the annual Friday evening market; never any hurry to actually get to the dinner. The ambience and pace of life is most attractive.
The weekend was free with your hosts; Our host family had a family christening to go to on Saturday evening. There was no question that we would stay behind, so we travelled 200 kilometres and took a full part in the ‘Bapteme’. It was a wonderful experience, both at the church and the party afterwards. We stayed in a local hotel and returned to the village hall for breakfast and then another full meal on Sunday lunchtime. On our return to Civray in the evening, another meal awaited with our hosts. You certainly wouldn’t starve on one of these trips. Of course everyone’s experiences are different as you are all staying with different families; however everyone spoke highly of their trip.
We left on Monday morning and arrived home late in the evening. A most wonderful week had been enjoyed by the members; very full, but enjoyable. The experience of life in France for a week is most rewarding, giving you a real flavour of how the French live. In August 2006 the Club will be visiting France again, in between, in 2005 the French will be visiting us at Downham Market. Hosts are always being sought and please give some thought to joining us and having a family visit. You just can’t believe what a good time there is to be had.
