TOWN TWINNING TRIP TO PETIT-COURONNE
21 ST – 24 TH October 2017
This was the third trip to Petit-Couronne from Beccles since the resurrection of the
Town Twinning Association. For some of the party of twenty it was their first visit
while some of us were old hands at this very pleasurable reunion. As with the other
trips it was made a very happy occasion by the warm welcome and the generous
hospitality of our French hosts.
We were met at the town hall by the reception committee who had waited
patiently in the rain, as our arrival had been delayed by an hour and a half due to the
rough channel crossing. We were then paired off with our hosts, some of whom were
meeting their guests for the first time while others were old friends.
On the next day, the Sunday, we were taken to the MuseoSeine at Caudebec-
en-Caux, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Seine, which for most of us, I
imagine, was the high point of the visit. This wasn’t some fusty old museum but an
enjoyable and interesting guided tour of over an hour which brought the history of the
river to life. Their were all sorts of artefacts, including beautifully preserved boats and
Roman and Viking relics on show and a vivid video presentation which showed the
engineering work that had been carried out over centuries to make the Seine
navigable, as well as strange features like the Mascaret – a tidal wave which surged
upriver from the estuary at Le Harvre.
After this we were lavishly entertained to a four course lunch at ‘La
Presqu’ile’ restaurant at nearby La Mailleraie, provide for us by the Town Council of
Petit-Couronne. The mayor gave a funny speech in which he claimed credit for
cooking the meal! Afterwards we returned to Petit-Couronne for a quiet evening in,
with a further meal provided by our hosts. The French penchant for enjoying lively
conversation with leisurely meals was one of the things that most of us appreciated, I
imagine, about the ‘Entent Cordiale’.
Monday was a free day, and some of us went with our hosts to Rouen and saw
the famous Cathedral, strolled round the narrow passage ways of the old town and in
my case visited the Musée de Beaux Arts and the Ceramics museum. Others visited
the ruined Benedictine abbeys of Jumièges and La Wandrille, and one or two went as
far as Honfleur.
In the evening there was a further culinary extravaganza in the form of a buffet
meal at La Grange, again provided by the town council, where we managed, with
varying degrees of expertise, to communicate across the language barrier, which was
after all the point of the exercise. The evening culminated in a surprise impromptu
event which was a tug-of- war for women. Unfortunately this didn’t go entirely
according to plan, as the rope snapped in the middle of the contest, resulting in the
collapse in a heap on the floor of most of the participants,and some sore heads and
hind-quarters. Luckily though no bones were broken!
The following morning meant the end of the visit all too soon as we said our
goodbyes. Many of us had renewed old friendships and others had made friends for he
first time. Hopefully long may it continue!
(with thanks to Douglas for his report)