Twinning Weekend 30th April-2nd May 2011
Yet another great weekend was enjoyed by all members of the Rayne Twinning Association. An early morning start saw us arriving in a sunny Verberie in the early afternoon.
After an enthusiastic warm welcome by our hosts we had a free afternoon walking in the countryside or along the River Oise, around the town, shopping in Verberie or just relaxing, catching up on the news with long-established friends.
We all met up again for aperitifs in the courtyard of the Chateau d'Aramont, before an evening reception in the chateau where we were entertained by a magician and a singer whilst enjoying a buffet prepared by our hosts.
On Sunday morning two coaches travelled through the countryside (one of the larger roundabouts had rows of grape vines growing - this could surely only happen in France!) - to Meru to the Musee de la Nacre et de la Tabletterie (Shell Museum), where we watched demonstrations of the traditional manufacture of mother of pearl buttons before wandering through the displays of exquisite ivory fans and other items made from shells while the children had a great time on the computers or playing in the large pool of buttons.
A superb lunch was served in the historic Ferme du Roy at nearby Anserville before continuing to the Steam Museum at Butry-en-Oise where, after looking round the various railway engines and coaches in the engine shed, we were treated to a ride on a vintage train pulled by an ancient steam engine with the tricolore and the union flag linked on the front of the engine with a spray of lily-of-the-valley (a French symbol of good luck on May Day).
On Monday morning we were wished Bon Voyage by the local radio station before saying farewell to our French friends.
En route back to Calais we stopped off at Arras with its magnificent baroque gothic town hall and cathedral and where we sat outside the restaurants for lunch in the 1000 year old Market Square in the glorious sunshine.
Once again this was an extremely enjoyable visit organised by our hosts. This year our members spanned 7 decades in ages.
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