JollyDays Supported Holidays: June 2011

Butlins Skegness with Derek & Roni - June 2011

What a great time we all had. We were so lucky with the weather and enjoyed it to the full. We arrived and organised ourselves in our gold accommodation. Once settled and after tea and biscuits, we went off to Pappa Johns for pizza and pasta. Into Reds for the evening entertainment where we danced to a reggae band before nipping along to see the Abba experience. A late night was had!
After a big breakfast we went to the swimming pool where we enjoyed a ride on the flumes and just swam around in the big pool. Everyone swam well and enjoyed themselves. We had lunch back at our apartment and then went into the amusement arcade where we played the two penny slide machines. In the evening we headed off to a very nice pub for dinner and stayed out late. There was no time for the dance floor tonight.
The next day we went to the funfair and had a great time on the rides and the go karts. After lunch we had a game of 10 pin bowling and several of our team scored near 100 points.....amazing!! It was a fish and chip night in Skegness before returning to the dance floor and seeing the “Blues Brothers” type band. Dancing was late into the night!
Following a leisurely breakfast we went back to the funfair and enjoyed ourselves again. We also played in the amusement arcades. Before lunch we saw a pantomime of Sleeping Beauty. It was great fun & laughs. Rebecca’s sides were splitting because she laughed so much. We wandered around the shops for some presents and mementoes. The afternoon was relaxing and we then got ready for an evening of more singing and dancing along with the “Take That” tribute band. But, before all that, we went into Skegness for a nice Indian meal. It was a good experience. Naturally we had another late night of dancing and finished up with the disco. Off we went to bed, very happy with ourselves.
The final day and after a good breakfast we packed and packed the minibus. Once done it was back into the main arena for some games of pool and even more shopping!! We went off to a lovely country pub for lunch before saying some goodbyes. The journey home began and we all felt a little sad!

Thanks to Kevin, Josie, Rebecca, Emma, David, Robert & John for making our holiday fun and happy.

Derek & Roni

Butlins Minehead with Pat & Jim - June 2011

Our journey was very scenic and even though the weather was poor, it didn’t dampen the JollyDays spirit. We had a nice dinner and set off for the dance floor to sing and dance along to the Beatles tribute band. A late night was had and we just fell into bed.
Tea in bed was the order of the day to help get everyone moving. After a hearty breakfast we went off on a day trip to Lynton and Lynmouth. We passed through beautiful countryside as we drove through Exmoor. We went on the vernicular railway as it’s a steep climb! We had a picnic lunch and strolled around the quaint shops. It was time for a game of putting and all played well with the exception of Pat....nothing new there hahaha. Back to Butlins for a home cooked dinner before another great night in the nightclub where we saw the Abba experience. Again, we danced the night away, led by Pat.
Bowling was on the cards for the next day and everyone enjoyed a close competition. Shopping was also part of the morning itinerary. After lunch we moved onto the funfair and enjoyed the rides. We then went into Minehead for a little more shopping therapy and also had a land train ride. There were lots of boats in the harbour. We went back to Butlins for dinner and even more dancing.....what stamina all our holiday makers have! Its lucky Pat is up for anything you can throw her way!!!
The following day we had another trip out. This time we went to Porlock. We walked to Porlock weir and watched the white horses on the water. It was very blustery! Lunch was a picnic on the moors where we saw Exmoor ponies. That evening we went to a really nice pub for dinner. More dancing was on the cards for the evening once back at Butlins. Rumour has it that Jim danced.......actually we have photographic evidence. It’s true!!
Our final day was started with a big breakfast. We went off to Minehead and Dunster beach for the morning and then onto lunch. It was soon time to say our goodbyes and there where promises of keeping in touch with new and old friends.

Thanks to Gillian, Jacqueline, Kerry, Graham, David, John & Gary for all the fun we had. You were a great crowd.

Pat & Jim

Out & about on the Isle of Wight with Derek, Pat, Colin & Jenette

Well, what a week of mixed weather! But that didn’t deter the JollyDays group from enjoying themselves.
We were at our usual venue on the I.O.W. and as always we were spoilt with good food, great entertainment and friendly, helpful staff!
Making the most of the weather, we set off for a day at Osborne House on the Tuesday. It is a fabulous Stately Home and the grounds are magnificent. We had a splendid day looking around the house and then onto the huge grounds. We visited the doll’s house too and as the weather was so good we even managed a picnic on the lawns! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In the evening we watched the entertainment team putting on a show and then we danced late into the night....as only JollyDays can!
It was a very wet day on Wednesday, so we took advantage of the indoor events. Firstly we spent time at Waltzing Waters, a water show with music and lights in time with the dancing waters. It is really worth a visit! Later that day we spent some time back at the holiday resort either swimming, playing pool or just relaxing before the night time entertainment. It was decided to go 10 pin bowling and we split into three teams. Colin’s team romped it with a miserable second by Derek’s team and an even more miserable last place by Pat’s team.....but it’s only a game and it’s about taking part, isn’t it?? We don’t discuss Colin’s score, but the other members of his team more than held their own. Well done to Stuart, Derek(2),Peter & Jenette.
The following day was much nicer, so we set off to see the donkey’s at the donkey sanctuary. They are so cute. There were also some small ponies too and we were lucky enough to see some being shod. Afterwards, we went to see the monkeys and owls at another venue. We had a guided tour and it was very interesting. From there we went on to the Needles at Allun Bay where we happily filled our shapes with coloured sand. This was fun. Once everyone had finished playing in the sand we went to see glass being blown and made into lovely colourful shapes. It was then time to head back to our resort to freshen up for dinner. As it was Rays birthday, we had the tables all laid up with streamers and balloons. It looked really, quite pretty. Ray even got a cake with candles. He was lucky enough to get a few hugs and kisses too! To finish of the holiday we watched and joined in with the entertainment. We all danced, yes, even Corbett with his two right feet!!! As usual it was a late night on the dance floor, seeing off most of the other guests.
It was our last day and we spent time after breakfast in the games room, playing table tennis, snooker, darts & pool. Laura & Tanya must have played the longest game of snooker ever!....but there was no rush. Kevin & Trisha enjoyed the table tennis, while Barbara & Corbett threw a few darts. There were a number of bulls eyes, but no shout of 180! It was time for lunch, so we headed off to a very nice cafe in Yarmouth before getting on the ferry for the start of our homeward journey.

We all had a great time and the JollyDays team would like to thank Kevin, Derek, Neil, Laura, Tanya, Stuart, Dawn, Corbett, Ray, Terence, Barbara, Trisha & Peter for having helped to make it FUN.
We hope to see you all again soon.

Derek, Colin, Pat & Jenette

Relax by the pool?

Look, it's a bulls eye!

I taught Steve Davis everything he knows!!

Anyone for table tennis?

A trio of lovlies.

Birthday boy.

Fine dining.

On our veranda.

Glass blowing demo.

Careful Trisha.....you don't want to spill any sand!

Wise owl.

Monkey biz

You need to grow a bit before I mount you!!

He's so cute.

Dressed for all weathers.

Now, that's how to bowl!

There's always time for an ice cream.

Who needs a mike?

We need a rest!

Picnic in the park.

Cycling in Holland with Derek & Wendy - June 2011

After a long journey, we were glad to settle in to our lovely accommodation at Center Parcs. Off we went to the club for late night refreshments and to play some pool.
The next day, after a hearty breakfast, we set off for our first day of cycling along safe cycle ways and minor roads. We managed a round trip to another Center Parcs which we estimated to be 23-24 miles. That was a good start and although it is nice and flat we still had some sore bottoms at the end of our first day. A very nice dinner at our bungalow was followed by a night in the clubhouse. We played more pool and Gary was the best player of the night.
On Wednesday we set off for another leisurely cycle ride and kept it down to a much more respectable 8-10 miles. We visited Coevorden and wandered around the shops there and stopped for refreshments at a nice restaurant. We then cycled onto Dalen and decided to dine at a lovely restaurant for our dinner. It was a fantastic meal. Afterwards we set off to our bungalow to get refreshed for another night in our clubhouse. It was an evening of pool and ten pin bowling. The bowling was Jons favourite pastime. The pool results were much more even with Jason and Gary winning the same number of games.
Thursday we decided to take a train ride with our bikes to Emmen and cycled back to our base from there. We passed through some lovely forestry and villages, one being Noord-Sleen, where we had a very nice light lunch. Again, we set off through other nice areas and another stop was taken at Oosterhesselen. By the time we got home we reckon that we had covered around 25-26 miles. As the weather was good, we took the decision to have a BBQ and it was very enjoyable. Derek forgot the fire lighters, so he collected fire wood and used his boy scout knowledge to get things going. It was successful although a little smokey to start with. Afterwards we set off to the club again and played more pool and had another session of bowling.
The day had come to journey home. As always we took the option of dining onboard the ferry in Langans Brasserie. It is such a nice way to finish our holiday before our farewells.

Well done to Gary, Jason & Jon for cycling so far.......added into cycling on site, we probably covered close to 60 miles! Hopefully everyone has fully recovered by the time you get this update?

Thanks from Derek & Wendy

Our usual spot in Langans Brasserie