A Taste of France
A French adventure recalled by Iona Mitchell
What a start.
We thought we were due to set off at midnight on Tuesday but it was Monday midnight. We had just gone to bed and the phone rang. Terry said, “leave it! let the answer machine take it”.
Next, all hell broke loose; the door bell rang, bangs on door and windows. Terry went to the door and there stood John, “are you coming?” he said. Terry replied “where are the cameras”? he thought John was pulling his leg. Finally John got through that we should be off to Saffre now! He waited outside while Terry and I made a mad dash to get things together. We had already packed our cases (thank you God). 30 mins later we were on the coach and away to Portsmouth. We got some minor leg-pull but nothing serious.
The journey down to Portsmouth was not too bad. We had two seats each and our pillows so we got some shuteye. We arrived at Portsmouth early and finally boarded the ferry. The ferry was great and we where treated like first class passengers. Two cinemas and plenty of rest places. We had breakfast at the ships restaurant (very nice) then had a stroll round and found some comfy seats to pass a very pleasant voyage away.
Five and half hours later we all boarded the coach and then drove trough the glorious French countryside.
When we arrived at Saffre lots of people gathered to greet us. We did not know our hosts but he had an original way of getting to know us. Gerard held up a board with the words in English ‘IONA AND TERRY WANTED’ - we Giggled at this. Gerard our host did not speak much English and we were hopeless at French. After much kissing and hugging finally Manee, Gerard’s wife appeared and low and behold she was learning a ‘little Anglais’. They took us to prepared drinks and nibbles and we had speeches from the French Mayor and welcomes in English also an exchange was made between our police and the Gendarmes of helmets, and more good natured talking. Then off we went to Gerard and Manee’s house in the country just outside Saffre. They where very pleasant people and after showing us our bedroom and facilities we had our first home cooked French fare; it was a lovely meal and of course wine with every course. By about 22.00 after our meal and limited conversation we were shattered and we went to bed.
The week seemed to fly by and we had a great time, some lovely trip’s and enjoyed seeing parts of France never seen before. It was great seeing Terry and Gerard trying to communicate with lots of hand signals and the use of French / English dictionaries. The people were great and Terry tried to email Gerard to thank them with the address he gave us but it kept returning address unknown.
To sum it all up it was a long journey but I would not have missed it for the world. I have made new friends here in Blighty and also good comrades in Saffre, so I say thank you very much to Winterton Twinning for a very pleasant and entertaining week.
Our First visit to France by PC Amanda Barnett
In July 09 I made the decision to join the Winterton Twinning Association on their trip to Saffre.
I don't live in Winterton but I am from the area and as a youngster attended the comprehensive school. I'm now the local neighbourhood police officer and I thought what a great opportunity it would be to get involved with local people and support the association by accompanying them on their visit as the local bobby. I took my 11 year old daughter and my mum along too as neither had been to France before and are we pleased we went! I have to admit I was a little dubious about staying with a French family. I could only speak a little bit of 'school French' from all those years ago but I didn't really need it.
The family we stayed with made us extremely welcome and we very quickly settled in. They wanted to improve their English so we spoke in our native language most of the time which I was quite happy to do!
The organised trips were excellent and we experienced French life first hand, something you don't get when just going on a package holiday. My daughter picked up bits of French with the children and she can't wait to go back again!
We had a fantastic time which was both a holiday and an educational experience. I'm really looking forward to repaying the French hospitality next year and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
What is twinning like for us? (an article by Derick Liversidge)
Our First Saffre Adventure
In early 2007 Ida and I were asked if we would be interested in going to Saffre with other members of the Town Twinning Group. We were assured that our very limited knowledge of the French language was not a problem. We agreed to give it a try and joined the twinning group and attended the meetings to learn more about our forthcoming visit.
The day of our departure, in July, eventually arrived and armed with our pillow for the overnight journey to Dover we boarded out luxury coach. Keith our driver would be one of our group and take part in all the activities our hosts had planned for us.
The ferry crossing was very pleasant and gave us an opportunity to stretch our legs and have breakfast before we disembarked in Calais. Then it was on with the final leg of our journey . We arrived in Saffre a very tired, and travel weary lot, but it was now time to meet our hosts and refresh ourselves with the food and wine before the speeches of welcome. Now came the exciting part we were transported to the home of the family (Sylvie and Joel) who would look after us for the remainder of our visit. After we had managed a conversation with our limited French and sign language and had many laughs we retired to our beds feeling assured that we would enjoy our stay.
The rest of the week was a joy we just sat back and enjoyed every trip and activity that had been carefully planned. Meals were always accompanied with dictionaries on the table and we found our French improving each day. The evening meals were leisurely affairs with plenty of wine and good conversation. We had to insist that we be allowed to help with meal preparation and washing up. We also had to insist on paying for the odd ice-cream or drink on our days out.
All too soon the end of our stay arrived and our hosts presented us with gifts and snacks for our return travel. We both felt rather emotional saying farewell to the friends we had made, but there was always next year when we would all meet up again in England. We exchanged addresses and email details and have had contact with Sylvie and Joel who we now regard as friends.
We would encourage anyone to take advantage of the opportunity of a trip to France and live with the locals and enjoy their way of life. We can hardly wait for our next trip in August.
A French adventure recalled by Iona Mitchell
What a start.
We thought we were due to set off at midnight on Tuesday but it was Monday midnight. We had just gone to bed and the phone rang. Terry said, “leave it! let the answer machine take it”.
Next, all hell broke loose; the door bell rang, bangs on door and windows. Terry went to the door and there stood John, “are you coming?” he said. Terry replied “where are the cameras”? he thought John was pulling his leg. Finally John got through that we should be off to Saffre now! He waited outside while Terry and I made a mad dash to get things together. We had already packed our cases (thank you God). 30 mins later we were on the coach and away to Portsmouth. We got some minor leg-pull but nothing serious.
The journey down to Portsmouth was not too bad. We had two seats each and our pillows so we got some shuteye. We arrived at Portsmouth early and finally boarded the ferry. The ferry was great and we where treated like first class passengers. Two cinemas and plenty of rest places. We had breakfast at the ships restaurant (very nice) then had a stroll round and found some comfy seats to pass a very pleasant voyage away.
Five and half hours later we all boarded the coach and then drove trough the glorious French countryside.
When we arrived at Saffre lots of people gathered to greet us. We did not know our hosts but he had an original way of getting to know us. Gerard held up a board with the words in English ‘IONA AND TERRY WANTED’ - we Giggled at this. Gerard our host did not speak much English and we were hopeless at French. After much kissing and hugging finally Manee, Gerard’s wife appeared and low and behold she was learning a ‘little Anglais’. They took us to prepared drinks and nibbles and we had speeches from the French Mayor and welcomes in English also an exchange was made between our police and the Gendarmes of helmets, and more good natured talking. Then off we went to Gerard and Manee’s house in the country just outside Saffre. They where very pleasant people and after showing us our bedroom and facilities we had our first home cooked French fare; it was a lovely meal and of course wine with every course. By about 22.00 after our meal and limited conversation we were shattered and we went to bed.
The week seemed to fly by and we had a great time, some lovely trip’s and enjoyed seeing parts of France never seen before. It was great seeing Terry and Gerard trying to communicate with lots of hand signals and the use of French / English dictionaries. The people were great and Terry tried to email Gerard to thank them with the address he gave us but it kept returning address unknown.
To sum it all up it was a long journey but I would not have missed it for the world. I have made new friends here in Blighty and also good comrades in Saffre, so I say thank you very much to Winterton Twinning for a very pleasant and entertaining week.
Our First visit to France by PC Amanda Barnett
In July 09 I made the decision to join the Winterton Twinning Association on their trip to Saffre.
I don't live in Winterton but I am from the area and as a youngster attended the comprehensive school. I'm now the local neighbourhood police officer and I thought what a great opportunity it would be to get involved with local people and support the association by accompanying them on their visit as the local bobby. I took my 11 year old daughter and my mum along too as neither had been to France before and are we pleased we went! I have to admit I was a little dubious about staying with a French family. I could only speak a little bit of 'school French' from all those years ago but I didn't really need it.
The family we stayed with made us extremely welcome and we very quickly settled in. They wanted to improve their English so we spoke in our native language most of the time which I was quite happy to do!
The organised trips were excellent and we experienced French life first hand, something you don't get when just going on a package holiday. My daughter picked up bits of French with the children and she can't wait to go back again!
We had a fantastic time which was both a holiday and an educational experience. I'm really looking forward to repaying the French hospitality next year and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
What is twinning like for us? (an article by Derick Liversidge)
Our First Saffre Adventure
In early 2007 Ida and I were asked if we would be interested in going to Saffre with other members of the Town Twinning Group. We were assured that our very limited knowledge of the French language was not a problem. We agreed to give it a try and joined the twinning group and attended the meetings to learn more about our forthcoming visit.
The day of our departure, in July, eventually arrived and armed with our pillow for the overnight journey to Dover we boarded out luxury coach. Keith our driver would be one of our group and take part in all the activities our hosts had planned for us.
The ferry crossing was very pleasant and gave us an opportunity to stretch our legs and have breakfast before we disembarked in Calais. Then it was on with the final leg of our journey . We arrived in Saffre a very tired, and travel weary lot, but it was now time to meet our hosts and refresh ourselves with the food and wine before the speeches of welcome. Now came the exciting part we were transported to the home of the family (Sylvie and Joel) who would look after us for the remainder of our visit. After we had managed a conversation with our limited French and sign language and had many laughs we retired to our beds feeling assured that we would enjoy our stay.
The rest of the week was a joy we just sat back and enjoyed every trip and activity that had been carefully planned. Meals were always accompanied with dictionaries on the table and we found our French improving each day. The evening meals were leisurely affairs with plenty of wine and good conversation. We had to insist that we be allowed to help with meal preparation and washing up. We also had to insist on paying for the odd ice-cream or drink on our days out.
All too soon the end of our stay arrived and our hosts presented us with gifts and snacks for our return travel. We both felt rather emotional saying farewell to the friends we had made, but there was always next year when we would all meet up again in England. We exchanged addresses and email details and have had contact with Sylvie and Joel who we now regard as friends.
We would encourage anyone to take advantage of the opportunity of a trip to France and live with the locals and enjoy their way of life. We can hardly wait for our next trip in August.
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