A party of 42 adults and children, led by their President Jean-Michel Rault-Thiebaud, travelled by coach and ferry on the weekend of 22/23 May from Horndon’s twinned Brittany village of Romagné.
A fun-packed weekend started with a continental breakfast reception at the village hall when the guests were welcomed by the Horndon Chairman, Mike Tarbard. One French family made the trip for the first time. The visitors spent the rest of Saturday, as usual, with their twinned families and took advantage of the superb weather.
Sunday saw both groups travelling by coach to Windsor for the organised part of the visit with guided tours around the castle and the towns of Windsor and Eton. The French visitors were most impressed with the castle and its interior. Although The Queen was in residence she was not seen by anyone. However, one alert member did spot a corgi being taken for a walk by one of the footmen! The day concluded with pre dinner cocktails at Browns restaurant in Windsor followed by a traditional British evening meal. Our French friends entertained us with their versions of a couple of English songs as adapted for the Twinning visit. Toasts were made to the Twinning (or Jumelage in French) as well as to two couples who were celebrating wedding anniversaries and one of the teenagers who had a birthday.
Monday morning saw the departure of the French visitors for Portsmouth and onward return to Brittany.
Both groups now look forward to the return visit in 2011 by the Horndon group.
