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We all rose at around 7:30 for breakfast in the beaming sunshine before packing up the last few bits and pieces and loading up the van. We said our goodbyes and thank yous to the Harding's before heading off on the minibus. As we travelled toward Le Harve, we stopped a couple of times for refreshments and lunch. We have just arrived at the port and are waiting to load onto the ferry. It won't be long before we're home!
For the full diary of our trip, take a look at the France 2010 section. |
Today was going to be a relaxed day in comparison to yesterday. We were up between 9 and 10am for breakfast before heading out to the InterMarche (a hyper market close by). Here the members got a chance to do some last minute shopping before leaving for the UK. After a couple of hours we headed back to the geits where the members got a chance to have a swim in the pool again, thanks to the beaming sunshine. After enticing everybody out of the pool with ice cream we headed off to a mobile fish and chip van which toured the area, serving authentic British style fish and chips. It was a pleasant meal, British style food, in a French town, accompanied by a French accordion player!
After dinner, we headed back to the geits and some had a kick around whilst others played on the swings.
It was an early night to bed tonight as we had an early start tomorrow. |
Everybody was up bright and early this morning as we were heading out to the Doue Zoo. We tucked into a lovely breakfast before loading into the minibus and heading out. Once at the zoo, the members separated into their various groups and went around looking at all the different animals the zoo had to offer. We regrouped for lunch before heading back in to see the parts of the zoo that the members hadn't already seen.
We set off in the direction of the geits again to prepare for this evening BBQ to which we have invited l'Avenir Allonnais, l'Elan Saumurois, the owners of the Vinyard we visited earlier in the week and other friends we've met during our time in France.
Soon we were ready and the guests began arriving as Simon, Nick and Mark were cooking on the BBQ's, Vicky, Anne and Emma were cooking in the kitchen. As the guests were drinking and chatting, Elan Saumurois marched in and started playing an array of tunes. They finished their display and Avenir Allonniase started theirs. Blasting out a selection of catchy tunes to the onlookers they continued entertain us until the food was ready to be eaten. Everybody tucked in with the BBQ's constantly pumping out freshly cooked meat, the kitchen topping up all the other salads, sauces, dressings, breads etc and of course, the wine (a lot of it generously donated by some of our friends) was in full flow for the guests. DYMB were soon marching round to the BBQ to play an array of our tunes to the guests. As soon as we had finished l'Elan Saumurois had marched round with their instruments and were blasting out yet more tunes to the guests.
Once l'Elan Saumurois had finished their second set, all three bands got together for a group photo. Following the photo, most departed for home, with some staying for a couple more drinks.
This evening was a great success, further enhancing our friendship with those we meet in France. |
Today we are playing in Saumur. We weren't leaving until the afternoon though, so spent some time playing around and cleaning our instruments. At 2pm we loaded our kit into the van and set off in the minibus toward Saumur. Once we had arrived we fell in and marched to play in front of the Marie. The spectators crowded round as we played a range of pieces. We stopped and had some photos taken with the Mayor and his staff before falling out and heading upstairs for a drink and some biscuits. Whilst up there, we were thanked for playing and each member was given a gift. After taking a look around we headed back down stairs and put our instruments away in the van, giving us a chance to have a look around Saumur and use the opportunity to do some shopping.
After a couple of hours we were back at the van and fell in ready to meet with Elan Saumurois to perform together in Saumur. We headed off to the starting point and marched down the long road to meet with Elan Saumurois. There was a series of static displays and marching from both bands along the street. After an hour or so, we headed back to van, packed up our kit and proceeded toward the Elan Saumurois practice hall, where we met with the band again and tucked into the brilliant refreshments laid out by the band. Soon it was time to head back to the geits for a good nights sleep as we have a busy day ahead of us! |
Today was a free day for us, so we took advantage of the opportunity and visited the shops. We headed out at around midday toward the Hypermarket and Decathalon. We arrived and the members went off in their separate groups to take a look around the hypermarket, whilst the leaders shopped for Wednesday's BBQ, to which Avenir Allonnais and Elan Saumurois have been invited to attend.
After stocking up we loaded the food onto the minibus and headed overt o Decathalon, where the members would get a chance to look around and buy any outdoor/sports equipment they had their eye on. After the short visit, we loaded everybody back onto the minibus and headed back to the Geits.
Simon cooked up a brilliant Chili for dinner, which was highly enjoyed. Before long everybody was back in the minibus and we were on our way to a local Vinyard, run by a friend of Avenir Allonnais Bandmaster, to perform to the owners, workers and some of the neighbors. We were given a tour around the Vinyard before those over 18 get a chance to taste some of the wine The owners put some food out, all of which was incredibly enjoyable. Some of the leaders made their purchases and we were once again back on the minibus heading back to the geits. we had a hot drink and some biscuits before heading off to bed. Another brilliant day in France. Tomorrow we will be playing in Saumur, be sure to check back again! |
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We rose for the second day in France. After eating a lovely cooked breakfast, we piled onto the minibus and headed out to Allonne. Here we met with Avenir Allonnais, who treated us to an excellent lunch, starting with salads and bread. Moving onto a gorgeous BBQ with sausage and pork. Soon, we were eating ice creams and playing around outside. We had water fights, a couple of members had a go at playing one of Allonnais' fan fare bugles.
Soon though it was time to head back to geits to chill out and have something to eat for dinner. This included some leftovers from the BBQ earlier, which was very enjoyable. After some more chilling it was soon time for bed, bringing another brilliant day in France to a close. Tomorrow we will be heading into Saumur to do some shopping, be sure to check the website to be kept up to date! |
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DYMB have arrived in France! We departed from the Ferry in Le Harve at about 8am and headed down the motorways toward Saumur. The Leaders have been mostly sleeping (with the exception of the drivers of course!) and the members have been chatting and having a laugh.
We just stopped for half an hour at a service station for lunch and are continuing toward Saumur.
More updates to come! |
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DYMB are going to France! |
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The Dorset Youth Marching Band, Wimborne's Town Band, are on their way to France.
We should have arrived in Saumur, located in the Loire Valley, by lunch time on Saturday. Once there we will be meeting with friends from previous years, including Avenir Allonnais and Elan Saumurois. We'll also be visiting a Zoo, playing in and taking a look around Saumur. As well as all that, we'll host a BBQ whilst over there for friends we've met.
We hope to keep the website up to date with what we're up to, so be sure to keep checking back to find out what we've been doing! |
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France
