Visit of Vriezenveen Members to Essex - 11th -
13th April 2008
Sitting with his legs dangling in the shimmering pool and soaking up the
penetrating sunshine has given your " ComVoc " chairman the
inspiration to reflect on what must be one of our most successful visits from
our twin club
Vriezenveen!
All those who had the good fortune to be involved with hosting,
entertaining and enjoying our Dutch friends will, without doubt, join me in
congratulating Peter and Barbara for arranging a fantastic weekend. It was
non-stop for 72 hours of pure fellowship interspersed by the 'odd' presidential
comments by MMM.
Despite a slight delay in our friends arrival, they were in time to enjoy
lunch at pubs, homes and even Bartellas'. Hardly had they time to unpack and
powder their noses than we were congregating at
Ingatestone Hall, courtesy of Lord Petre, where eating
& drinking took place and our good friend and past Rotarian John Arkell
showed our visitors around the Hall and included two ' priests holes ' in his
tour! Having been travelling from 4am our Dutch pals made for their beds and we
prepared for breakfast.
With our cars parked facing East, courtesy of Peter Larcombe, Saturday
morning saw us heading to Suffolk in a glamorous coach en route to
Kentwell Hall. Despite
a little overcrowding at lunch time most of us found this an interesting visit.
Wim and Marion, who stayed with us and have Highland Cattle back home were most
impressed by the special variety of pigs and also some cattle which had
enormous horns seemingly piercing their noses. The bull had the endowments we
lads all envy lovely skin! The ladies decided the fish in the moat was not as
attractive as the shops so a detour to Long Melford started us on our way home.
Yet another quick change and we were winging our way to Margaretting Hall
for more drink and some stripping...... the willow that is!! Peter had managed
to secure a
band of 4 for the price of 2 and excellent they were. Even the incoming
Dutch Lady President, who has considerable walking difficulties, could not
resist getting totally confused, like the rest of us, and swinging someone
else's partner. After a magnificent evening I'm afraid many of us rushed home
for even more alcohol!
Sunday arrives and recuperation is on the horizon, but first bag packing and
breakfast soon ate into the time that we were due at
Paper Mill Lock for a
canal boat cruise and the chance for a little more " chin-wagging
". The surrounding countryside is very attractive and although we had a
rain shower at the end all looked very happy and no one fell in.
Peter and Babs obviously think we are all undernourished, as we swiftly
arrived at the ' General's Arms ' - real President country- for Sunday Roast
and more drinks. Having gorged ourselves again we made our farewells and took
our guests back to Stansted for their flight home.
All 23 of our visitors were made very welcome and I believe thoroughly
enjoyed themselves. It was great meeting up with our twin club again and from
the reports I've heard want us in Holland next year.
Thanks again to Peter and Barbara & for keeping the costs for the hosts
to a very fair level. - gac
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