Saturday, October 22, was a bright sunny afternoon, when Whitland Male Voice Choir and their wives left, in high spirits, on Bysiau Cwm Taf for a short visit to Brittany.

We arrived in Portsmouth in time for the midnight crossing to St. Malo. After a good sleep in our cabins, on a calm sea, we arrived fresh and ready to go. We stopped in a small café in the village of Pacé for breakfast, while watching the Rugby World Cup on television.

On to the village of Loheac in time for lunch in the hotel La Gibeciere, which would be our home for the next week. Stephan, the friendly landlord, had spent some time in Whitland as a young boy and spoke very good English.

Later that afternoon we visited the city of Rennes, hoping to see the cathedral, but unfortunately it was closed!

Monday - the sun had disappeared and we were off in the bus to visit the pretty village of Rochefort-en-Jerre. Nearly all of us landed up in a delightful old café, where a lovely fire was glowing in the inglenook fireplace. Of course, we had to try the local specialities - crepes or galletes.

That evening we gave our first concert, in Pipriac, a small town which has twinned with Whitland for the last 30 years. There was a good audience in the Eglise St. Nicholas. Our musical director, Juliet Rossiter, with our talented accompanist, Hefina, took us through a diverse programme of Welsh, English and Latin numbers. One of our choristers, Martyn Davies, sang solo in 'Lily of the Valley' and 'O Gymru'. Clive Edwards, our versatile bus driver and chorister, sang 'The Old Rugged Cross' and 'The Rose', to an appreciative audience.

The concert was followed by a reception in the Poly Valent. We were welcomed by the Mayor and several friends from the Pipriac twinning group. Our chairman, Barry Webb, responded and the Mayor was then presented with a commemorative plaque by Clr. Val Phillips, on behalf of Whitland Town Council.

Tuesday - rain again, but our spirits were not dampened as we went on a visit to an amazing car museum in Loulac. There were 400 cars on display, dating from 1891. There were all types - saloon, sports and racing cars. I think some of the men would have liked to spend the rest of the day there. Later in the morning we went to a local town, Redon, with a look at some French shops for our wives.

That night we gave our second concert in the Eglise St. Gregoire (near Rennes). We were surprised and delighted to be greeted outside the church by a local band, bag pipes, drums and pipes. St. Gregoire was a small, beautiful church, with a beautiful wooden ceiling. The church choir sang unaccompanied for the first part of the evening. We specially enjoyed their rendition of the hilarious 'Cat Song', performed by three ladies and three men, with many 'miaows' - hilarious.

Martyn Davies and Clive Edwards again sang solo spots, and Hefin accompanied herself singing 'Ar Lan Y Mor'. I think everyone enjoyed themselves in a nice, relaxed atmosphere. We went into the Church Hall for a brief reception, with drinks and cakes. Barry Webb presented the Mayor with a gift from Whitland. Throughout the tour we were extremely lucky to have one French lady with us who was able to keep the French audience informed by translating all the announcements. This lady was Angelique Perrault from Pipriac. She now teaches French in Burry Port, but formerly she taught at Whitland School. Angelique has been a close friend of Hugh Lewis's family for the past 10 years. We owe her so much for making our trip so successful.

Going on to Wedneday, the sun was shining and off we went to Vannes, a lovely town near the coast. A nice big market in the town square, and plently of shops to keep the ladies happy. Some of the boys had a little impromptu sing-song outside one of the pavement cafés.

Back in the hotel that evening for the last dinner, and time to 'let our hair down'. The boys were in good voice fore a sing-song. The hotel staff also enjoyed - especially Eirwyn Evans's rendition of 'Old McDonald', with impersonations of all the animals.

Of course, we had to sing our Welsh National Anthem, which, surprisingly, has the same tune as the Breton anthem. Well, after all, they are our Celtic cousins.

It was an early start the next day for our journey back to Cymru.

We must say special thanks to our organiser, Hugh Lewis, assisted by Stan Phillips, for arranging the whole tour, the travel arrangements, accommodation and the concerts. Well done! And thank you also, to our jolly bus driver for his proficient, smooth driving at all times.

TREVOR WILLIAMS