Centre Parcs with Derek & Wendy

We arrived to a very pleasant afternoon and considered ourselves fortunate as the weather for the week was set to be great!

We unpacked and set off for our exploration of the park, stopping along the way for a drink at the sports bar before dining at Huck’s American diner! After dinner we went back into the bar area on the first floor and enjoyed a few games of pool before finishing on a game of 10 pin bowling.

The following day, after a hearty English breakfast, we walked towards the centre and played tennis before going swimming. It was great fun as we splashed and swam against the wave machine and onto the slides, rapids and flumes. The newly opened flume was fantastic and we even had a ride in a quad rubber ring!  After lunch it was table tennis and time in the arcade to try our luck on the driving car and bike machines! We had a delicious dinner and went back to the centre for games of pool and 10 pin bowling before setting the night alight with our disco moves!

After breakfast and feeding the wildlife of ducks, geese and squirrels we had a competition of carpet bowls (which Jonathan won) and then played badminton which got us all in a sweat!  Then it was back for lunch and a little rest before setting off for a game of snooker and pool before dinner at Bella Pasta.  We then had a good boogie on the dance floor!

The next day we enjoyed a bike ride around the park and a game of adventure golf before lunch. We had another game of badminton before playing pool and then relaxing back at our bungalow before dinner.  Later that evening, we went back to the bowling alley and finished off the night with dancing and a little more time in the arcade area.

Our last morning we packed before heading back for a final game of carpet bowls and going to a lovely local pub for lunch. We had an absolutely brilliant time at Center Parcs and vowed to go back again next year!

Cricket St Thomas Warner Hotel with Adrian, Pat and Mel

 

We had a fantastic time in beautiful Cricket St Thomas.  Our rooms were lovely and comfortable and there was such a relaxed atmosphere in the hotel.  The food was top quality and our waitress Olivia was always happy to help with a friendly smile! 

We had an amazing day trip to Cheddar Gorge, where we were able to see how cheddar is made!  It ws a fascinating process to watch. We even got the luxury of trying their very own cheese made in Cheddar!  Lots of us bought some to take home.  We also dipped in and out of lovely gift and sweet shops!  We took a drive through the gorge itself, and were amazed at the sheer height of the staggered rock on either side of us!

The entertainment in the evenings was just brilliant.  We danced ourselves through the nights, and of course watched the wonderful enetertainers putting on different shows for us. We saw extracts from the musicals, a 1950's themed show and we even got to see a comedian who made us all giggle alot!

We had lunch in The Terrace bar one afternoon, which was in the Grand House itself.  There was the most beautiful staircase, and we all soaked up the historic feel. We enjoyed a walk around the hotel grounds, visiting the lovely little church and taking in the stunning views. What a successful and relaxing holiday! 

Thankyou all for making it so special.  

 

 

 

 

 

Tenerife with Derek & Melanie

We had a great week in sunny Tenerife! We ate out at local restaurants and bars, which had fantastic evening entertainment. A highlight for us all was celebrating Norvege’s birthday. She had banners and a candle to blow out as well as a gift from us and the hotel. It was a great night with dancing and singing. At the hotel we were kept entertained with a parrot show, as well as sunbathing and swimming in the pool, and the resident singer in the evenings.

We took trips out to local towns. At Los Gigantes we had a very relaxing drink and enjoyed the atmosphere of this coastal town. One day we set off for a day trip into the mountains of Mount Teide. It is the highest mountain in Spain, being over 3,500 metres above sea level and with snow on its cap. It was a wonderful experience of beautiful scenery and a landscape that could well be similar to that of the moon. On our return to our hotel, we managed to get a great view of the local carnival and enjoyed a special position allowing us to be at the start of the procession. It was quite marvellous.

We found time to do a spot of shopping therapy one day. We walked down to the sea front and up through the back streets looking in the shops and buying a few gifts. Naturally we stopped for an ice cream and refreshments before finding a nice tea shop for a lunch.

Boarding our ship, we went for a great trip where we sighted families of dolphins and whales and thoroughly were immersed in the wonder of the seas. On our last day we visited Jungle Park, where we saw a brilliant display of birds of prey, a parrot show and many more animals and birds. Perhaps the best were the big cats.

We’d all had a great time in the sun (especially as it was so cold back in England!) and are looking forward to going back next time!



 

Butlins (Bognor Regis) with Pat & Phil

On our way down to Butlins in Bognor we stopped for lunch where we all started to get to know each other at the start of our week’s holiday. Our accommodation was very spacious and we didn’t have far to walk to all the activities and entertainment offered on site.

We spent the week keeping occupied on the amusements and funfair, the dodgems being a particular favourite, and travelling out to both Arundel and Bognor, where some shopping therapy took place.

There is always plenty to do at Butlins and we certainly seem to get involved in most the camp has to offer. Apart from visiting the funfair a couple of times, play golf and ten pin bowling, we spent every evening watching the entertainment and dancing the night away. No one escaped going on the dance floor at some time during the week !!

Yet again everyone enjoyed another busy and active week at Butlins