Visit to Perros-Guirec May 2009
Teignmouth Twinning – Visit to Perros Guirec May 2009
A cheery group of Teignmouth townsfolk boarded a luxury coach on Friday 22nd May en route for a visit to our twin-town of Perros Guirec in Brittany, France. The coach headed for Plymouth to meet the afternoon ferry for a smooth crossing to Roscoff. Then it was off to Perros (the name we affectionately call Perros-Guirec) where the host families were waiting to receive us.
Saturday morning was free to get to know our host families, or for the many in the group who have been to Perros many times before it was a case of renewing old friendships.
After lunch with the families an afternoon of traditional Breton games and crepe making and eating had been arranged. There were about eight games (including Boules or Petanque) set up for us to try and they consisted of throwing various objects at various targets. On the same afternoon there was also an alternative visit to the chapel of Notre Dame at La Clarte which was nearby.
On Sunday morning there was an official “tree-planting ceremony” at the place Teignmouth where a lime tree was planted by M. Yvon Bonnot the mayor of Perros and the chairmen of the both the Teignmouth and Perros Guirec Twinning Associations to mark the thirty years since the twinning was first set up. This is a second tree and was sited near to the original one which was planted at the inaugural visit to Perros by a group from Teignmouth in 1979.
After the heavy tree-planting session aperitifs were enjoyed at the club des Navigateurs where we were officially welcomed by the Mayor of Perros. There was traditional Breton music was by a local group playing on some unusual Breton and French instruments.
There is normally an official exchange of gifts between the two communities and this year we were presented with some ceramic puffins (the local bird) and we presented for the town or school library a selection of books popular with youngsters up to early teens to encourage them to read a learn English.
The afternoon was spent with our host families. Later the same evening the official dinner was held at the “Maison des Traouieros” where we enjoyed some beautiful food with live music and conversation.
On the Monday morning we visited the market at Tregastel then after lunch at Treguier we enjoyed an interesting visit to the gardens at La Roche Jagu.
The last day, Tuesday was packed with things! First thing, we made a lively boat crossing to Ile aux Moines, one of Les Sept Isles (the seven Islands) a group of protected islands just off the coast of Perros. We walked all round the island and watched various sea birds including puffins and oyster catchers. This was a real highlight of the whole trip. In the early evening the coach arrived to take us back to board the night ferry. En route we had dinner in Roscoff and made the customary stop at a supermarche so that we could pick up vine and cheese. We arrived back in Teignmouth early on Wednesday 27th.