A short visit but new friends made, we wish them a safe journey having waived them off at the community rooms at 0800 this morning... A manic few days but filled with fun and lots of new experiences. A stunning bilingual assembly followed by a display of traditional playground games, by the children of Billinghay Primary CoE School set the standard for what was an activity packed three days for our French visitors, set about the theme of "Sports, Games and Pastimes", Matthew and Joseph joined us for an evening of European fun and games, learning about curling, becoming dab hands at bar billiards and even having a go at French board games such as "Jeu de l'oie"(Thank you Brenda for coming over for a quiet read of your book!!!). Friday I joined a group visiting Carre's Grammar school's Sport's centre.Tom and I opted out of the Greyhound racing evening at Peterborough, but it was a new experience for not only "our couple" and other French, but a fair few of the British contingency...
A very interesting debate on Saturday morning, discussing the way ahead for our twinning and general raising of awareness of the EU in our communities. I had great fun being roped in as an assistant interpreter. A few of us visited the new surgery and discussed the differences in funding and health provisions in both countries before setting off back home, relaxing for an afternoon with
Véronique and Christophe.They have two sons Victor and Paul who are Isaac and Benjamin's age, on this visit they stayed home but will be coming over next visit in two years time.Next it is the turn of Billinghay to visit Ballon, probably next May/June ½term will we be on the coach? watch this space!
The finale was a "Vin et vérité" (wine and wisdom) with a Europeen flavour, a stunning buffet and a show put on by all the French party. A little too late for us we excused ourselves and the children at 2245, knowing we had to get everyone up for the farewell appt...
Panoramic view of the village of Ballon
[Edit- Here is a lovely photo taken of our group, at the Sunday morning departure. Thank you Véronique for sending it to me so promptly!]
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