Terracina Visit

13th July to 19th July

2024

Report by Beryl Whidden and Claire Mayer

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TERRACINA VISIT 2024 by Beryl Whidden and Claire Mayer (1)

What a start! The seven Italians arrived very late in Exeter to be greeted by rain having left the sunshine of 40 degrees C in Terracina. They were feeling the cold! The Italians were taken by their hosts either for a meal with friends, or to enjoy the sun setting from the Quay in Topsham. 

A relaxing start to the day on Sunday was had by all then followed with a gentle walk down Fore Street Exeter to the Quay, winding their way through the Flea Market and the gem of  St Nicholas Priory, where a member was on duty to help them. A delightful afternoon was spent on the Quay, listening to Jazz and enjoying the atmosphere. The evening finished in the beautiful garden of a member with the Final Football match being shown on TV. What drama!

The Redcoat Guide on Monday from the Cathedral Close to the Quay was a great success, despite the torrential rain. The excellent interpreter was much appreciated. On arrival at the Quay a group photo was taken on Piazza Terracina on the Quay. Time to recover for the Celebration Dinner with the Lord Mayor at the Rougemont Hotel. Welcome drinks were served in the Nelson Room and a dinner was enjoyed in the Derby Room under glistening chandeliers and candle lit candelabra. A Great success – the conversation never stopped. Tuesday was a free day for everyone, either relaxing or visiting Dartmoor, Bovey Castle, Okehampton and Tavistock or closer to home St James Football ground. More time was had for or chatting in the evening with old and new friends over drinks and nibbles in the evening in the garden of another member.

On the next day our trip a boat along the coast from Exmouth to Sidmouth and back, the sun shone and the sea shimmered in the light. Most Twinners disembarked at Sidmouth to wander around for a few hours, returning later on another boat. For the visitor’s last day, Thursday, we took them to Honiton on a gloriously sunny day. The Curator of the Honiton Museum showed us beautiful intricate examples of lace and valiantly answered many questions. The lace demonstration was watched with wonder. Before Covid the Museum had forty four lace demonstrators and now only have four. The Italian owner of Little Venice left his wonderful shoe and bag shop to join us and to help with translating. Lunch was taken in the garden of The Vine, down an alley off the High Street. The sausages and mash were declared to be the best ever by the Italians. Praise indeed. Instead of pudding we had a cream tea – an interesting experience for them all. Before returning to our cars, we stopped off to see a fabulous new exhibition named “The Invisible Threat” at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery. It is an exhibition by 15 contemporary textile artists wishing to push the boundaries and showing a diverse range of textile disciplines and perspectives.

On our way home The Walled Gardens of the Pig at Gittisham were much admired – and quiet drinks were enjoyed under the cedar trees. The evening finished with a flourish at the Beer Engine in Newton St Cyres – with Morris Dancing and most Twinners participating in the last dance. Retiring exhausted to bed in preparation for an early morning departure. Despite the Microsoft computer glitch there was only a slight delay with the plane. However, two of the Italian party got stuck in Paris for two days, but everyone is now safely home.
A wonderful week was had by all. Old friendships were maintained and new ones made.

Programme

Saturday 13th July 2024

Italian guests arriving mid-afternoon.

Evening with hosts.

Sunday 14th July 2024