Center Parcs - France with Darren & Isobel

Center Parcs - France

Excitement was in the air as we arrived at Center Parcs in France which offered breathtaking views of the lake and sandy shore.

We decided to spend some time on the pedalos exploring the lake. Following a quick safety briefing, everyone donned their life jackets and eagerly climbed aboard. We had two boats and took turns at the helm, each of us relishing the chance to steer as we gently glided across the sparkling water. Naturally, the friendly competition quickly turned into a splash fight, water flying everywhere, a refreshing way to cool off under the warm morning sun.

With the sun now shining warmly, we made a beeline for the inviting outdoor pool. We all relaxed in the infinity pool’s pleasantly warm water before drifting into the bubbling jacuzzi. Meanwhile, the boys bravely tested the cold plunge pool—their initial shocked expressions quickly melted into laughter as they acclimatised and embraced the refreshing chill. Everyone took turns zooming down the flumes and drifting along the lazy river, sharing plenty of laughs and making the most of a wonderfully fun afternoon.

It was game on as we hit the pool table in the sports bar. In a thrilling doubles match, Thomas & Iain took on Jamie & Leon, with Thomas & Iain emerging victorious. Congratulations to everyone for such a fun and exciting afternoon!

Our active group headed to the huge sports hall for some friendly table tennis. Everyone eagerly joined in, thoroughly enjoying the light hearted competition as rackets clicked and balls pinged back and forth. Iain wandered how long it might take to sprint the length of the hall. We quickly grabbed a stopwatch, and his attempt sparked a spontaneous race among the group. Each took their turn, the stopwatch timing every sprint. Everyone was thrilled with their times and proud of their efforts.

Ice creams are always a must.... we were on holiday after all!

Soon, it was time for Mini-Golf on a course known for its challenging and fun holes. Iain kicked off the game, setting the tone for some impressive shots throughout. Most of us managed at least one hole-in-one, adding to the excitement. The ninth hole proved to be the trickiest as it was set in near darkness, illuminated only by a few glowing neon lights but despite this, everyone managed to complete it successfully. After the final putt, we gathered to tally the scores over a well-earned drink. The competition was tight, but Leon clinched the victory with an impressive total score of 33.

It was down to the bowling alley where we split into two lanes and could certainly feel the competitive spirit within the group. Jamie who got off to a flying start with three strikes under his belt definitely set the pace. With some fantastic high scores, the overall winner of the first game was Jamie with an amazing score of 143. We had some time before we were timed out, so we carried on playing and after another four shots each Leon was in the lead with a score of 54. Well done to everyone for being great sports!

Down at the archery shed our instructor greeted us warmly and began with a thorough health and safety briefing, followed by a clear demonstration of how to load and shoot the bow and arrow. After a few practice shots, hitting the target became easier and more confident. As the session went on, our scores steadily improved—Daniel and Leon both proudly landed bullseyes, prompting cheers all around. We were thrilled with how well we’d taken to archery!

Now we faced our next challenge: the High Ropes course. The sheer height initially took our breath away, and a flutter of nerves rippled through the group. But with determination, we listened carefully as the instructor fitted each of us with secure harnesses and walked us through the safety procedures. Step by step, we climbed the spiral staircase and cautiously made our way along the ropes. The adrenaline surged as we reached the zip wire, soaring across to the next platform and steadily ascending to greater heights. Our fantastic instructors provided constant encouragement and were always nearby to assist when needed. Upon reaching a certain point, participants could choose to complete the red level and safely descend. Undeterred, Iain, Daniel, Clare, and Andrew decided to tackle the final, far more challenging blue level. With grit and determination, all four successfully completed the entire course.