Adventures In Beaune

IMG 6689Led by Past President Maurice & Hilly, Past Presidents Brian & Rosie Clements, Craig & Orla McClelland, Campbell & Gaile Morton and John & Hester O’Carroll left Dublin for Lyon airport Wednesday 06 June and that is when their 5 day wonderful adventure began!

01.Our HostsAfter an initial hiccup, getting cars that would go and take all the luggage, they left the airport to drive to Beaune. The visit, organised by former member Derek and Sandra Forshaw and despite some inclement weather, was a fantastic success featuring wine tasting from vineyards in this beautiful area - the very traditional  and interesting Domaine Girard, Savigny-Les-Beaune, (5 red and 3 white wines) and  Veuve Ambal (sparkling wine); touring Chateau Sully situated between Autun and Beaune, the largest of the Renaissance châteaux of southern Burgundy and wandering round nearby Autun. They also enjoyed great food even eating lunch outside under umbrellas whilst it was raining hard!

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meetingSo many members turned up at the Rotary Club of Beaune meeting Thursday evening the hotel had to set 2 extra tables and they were regaled with a group singing starting with I’ll tell me Ma which they loved and responded with a rollicking napkin waving song and Danny Boy and the Mountains of Mourne which received “wild applause". It was also Past President Brian Clements' birthday on the day of the Rotary meeting and he says he has never had Happy Birthday sung so many times!
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However the highlight of the trip was the visit of the group to chez Forshaw’s gorgeous home. Again sadly it rained so they had to enjoy the great spread of food sitting inside. However it did not deter the great craic and chat and more singing from Maurice & Sandra. A bouquet of flowers and a voucher from the local garden centre were presented to them with thanks for their organisation.

Beaune3Beaune2There was a relaxing personal choice of activity day on Saturday when most went to the market in the town and visited the Hospices De Beaune and the visit concluded with dinner with Derek & Sandra in a neighbouring village at Le Cellier Volnaysien which also celebrated Hester O'Carrol's birthday. The group departed Sunday evening, some back home and some for an extended visit in France. A montage of other pictures from the visit can be seen right.

Thanks are extended to Past President Maurice for co-ordinating the visit and Past Presidents Alan Rundle & Craig McClelland for driving and especially to Derek Forshaw for co-ordinating it all in France.