2009 Exchange Visit to Cherbourg Club
Straw Hats!
Off to France!
The Club enjoyed yet another pleasant trip to France to enjoy the considerable hospitality of our friends from the Cherbourg Club. There were nine membersin total: The President, Roy & Margaret Dowman, Tony & Greta Labram, Brenda & Bill Adams, Wendy & Des Ely and John & Vicky Harris, for the first time. If any club member is apprehensive about going to France or hosting, just ask John, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience, especially as his magic was a high-light with the French.
On the Friday ferry to Cherbourg we were all taking it easy and drinking tea and coffee when Bob decided to liven up proceedings by buying two bottles of fine champagne which we thoroughly enjoyed and made us all a little merry!!!!!
Owing to our latish evening arrival we did not have the usual reception party but were introduced to our hosts and the then proceeded to have supper with them and judging by what was said the following day everyone had enjoyed rather special food, along with the usual seemingly unlimited bottles of wine.
Saturday was a thoroughly good day and even the weather, which at times looked rather gloomy, turned hot in the afternoon. We were taken to a "cross between a castle and chateau" which had wonderful grounds of about 10 acres, fully planted by the owner with an amazing selection of trees and shrubs that he had collected from all over the world. We were provided with an excellent lunch at the chateau and as the sun was so hot also a rather splendid selection of straw hats, the choice of some causing great hilarity. In the evening we went to the Hotel at the port for dinner as well as entertainment by a splendid jazz band. The President gave a rather heroic speech in French but unfortunately neither the French or ourselves could understand it. I have a feeling it might have had something to do with the wine once again!
Come Sunday you would think that we would have a quiet time, not so. At lunchtime a superb buffet had been arranged at the very nice house of one of the hosts, followed by wine induced dancing. A really great time was had by all.
We arrived in Portsmouth quite late but happy at the great kindness and friendship of our hosts. Give it try next time, you will not regret it, just have a word with John Harris.
