Crufts Dog Show with Ase, David & Nick

 Crufts Dog Show 

Our group of dog lovers couldn't wait to head to prestigious Crufts Dog Show at the The NEC. The sheer size of the exhibition hall was overwhelming, but the excitement was contagious. We walked for miles, with everyone gaining more enthusiasm with each dog we encountered. 

We had the chance to pet various breeds and engage with their owners, learning about the dedication involved in training and caring for such incredible animals.

One of the most fascinating highlights was watching the Medical Detection Dogs demonstrate their remarkable ability to detect early diseases in patients, as well as predict medical emergencies like insulin comas in diabetic individuals. Later, in the main arena, the Police Dogs showcased their impressive skills, using their sense of smell to locate stolen electronics such as mobile phones and data chips. We were also mesmerized by the Flyball competition, where teams of dogs raced against the clock, jumping over hurdles and retrieving tennis balls to hand off to the next dog in the team. 

We were in heaven as we embarked on a chocolate lovers trip to the world-famous Cadbury World. The visit was both informative and fun, offering an in-depth look at the history of Cadbury and the journey of the cocoa bean, which is transformed with full cream milk into the delicious chocolate products we know and love.

We were ready for  Super Saturday at Crufts! We all wanted to visit the different breeds of dogs again as they were so irresistible. They were all too happy to see us again as we made a huge fuss of them.

We witnessed history being made with the award for Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2025 being presented to Monty, a Giant Schnauzer. He was the first of his breed to win this honour. Making sure we didn’t miss the grand finale- Best in Show which was the highlight of our holiday. The seven dogs that had won in their previous categories were now being intensely judged and we all agreed it was a close competition. The judge had made his decision and started walking over to his winner, a Whippet from Italy, secured the title under the guidance of handler Giovanni Liguori which was a fitting end to the world's greatest dog show. 

We ventured out to the Festival of Steam at Statfold Country Park, home to the UK’s largest collection of small-gauge railway steam engines. Danny was thrilled to be in his element, as he's passionate about trains, particularly steam trains. We got to ride in a carriage from the collection, taking us on a scenic journey through the country park. The Steam Gala was an exciting experience for everyone, with steam engines chugging away and the atmosphere filled with nostalgia and fun.

Potters Leisure Resort (Hopton On Sea) with Judy & Leo

 Potters Leisure Resort 

The excitement was clear to see as we arrived at Potters looking forward to a relaxing yet action packed stay.

One of our favourite activities was archery. Our expert instructor led us through the basics, showing us how to properly hold the bow, load the arrows, draw the string, and release with precision. With a bit of practice, everyone managed to hit their targets successfully during the first round. The real challenge came next: the competition. Our goal was to score a combined 1000 points over two rounds. The tension was heating up, but the camaraderie was even stronger. Four of us scored an impressive 250 points, while three others followed with 300 points. By the final round, we had surpassed the 1000-point mark with ease. Cheers and applause erupted as we were awarded medals for our efforts—each of us proudly wearing them.

Spring had officially sprung and we were keen to blow away the cobwebs down by the coast. We took a glorious walk along the seafront stopping in the arcades to spend a few of our holiday pennies.....

.....and of course treat ourselves to an ice cream! Well, we were on holiday after all! 

The rifle shooting session was a success, with everyone scoring well and proudly receiving their targets as mementos, along with medals to commemorate the experience.

The competition was fierce down at the bowling alley where we had a few friendly games. There were high scores and a couple of strikes. It was great to see everyone cheering each other on!  

The evening entertainment was 5 star! From tribute acts to some of our most love musical hits. The live shows had us up on our feet dancing and singing our hearts out in true JollyDays style! 

It was back to Yarmouth for an underwater adventure at the Sea Life Centre. There was plenty to see from starfish, octopuses, piranhas, an alligator, and even penguins. 

London Royal Places with Jackie & Ayshea

 London Royal Palaces 

Our very royal holiday started at the iconic Buckingham Palace for our highly anticipated guided tour of the West Wing. Unfortunately, we missed the King, but we did spot his helicopter leaving for Scotland, which was a fun surprise! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating stories about the palace's history and the royal family. One of the highlights was standing on the famous balcony, where some of us even tried out our royal waves, much to the amusement of the crowd below.

We joined a crowd gathered for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. As we waited, the atmosphere was vibrant, and the sun was shining down on us, adding to the excitement. We were treated to a lively performance by the band, which even played some ABBA tunes. Some of us couldn’t resist dancing as the guards marched past.

Kews Gardens was a must! Our first stop was on the little train that took us on a scenic tour around the park, where the guide shared interesting facts about the trees, including the tallest species and efforts to protect endangered varieties. The ride provided a perfect overview of the vast gardens.

We were all amazed by the sheer size of the gardens. Armed with maps, we set off to explore. The Hive, an interactive experience allowed us to learn about the fascinating world of bees. Next, we visited the Palm House, which housed exotic plants from tropical regions. It was incredibly hot inside, as the plants had to be kept at high temperatures to thrive. Some of the leaves were so large they seemed to dwarf us! 

Everyone was super excited  to catch our Uber ferry from Putney Embankment, which would take us down the Thames to the Tower of London. Some had never been on a ferry before, and Clifford was particularly excited, though a little nervous. The boat ride was exhilarating as we passed iconic sights like Big Ben, the London Eye, and Battersea Power Station. The views from the Thames were breathtaking.

We took a leisurely stroll to St. James’s Park. Along the way, we were treated to the sight of beautiful swans, ducks, and squirrels. 

Our next iconic landmark was the Tower of London. Once there, we met our guide, JJ, who shared intriguing and sometimes gruesome stories about the Tower’s history. Lisa recognized her from a TV show about life at the Tower, which made the experience even more exciting. 

We took plenty of photos, including some with the famous Beefeaters. We also had the opportunity to see where animals, including an elephant and monkeys, were once kept. One of the more sombre stops was the memorial plaque for the Queen’s execution.

We jumped in the ‘Jolly’ bus to Windsor Castle. Here we toured St. George’s Chapel, where Prince Harry and Meghan were married and where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were laid to rest. The chapel was stunning, and we were all in awe of its beauty and historical significance.

Luckily we were fortunate to witness the Changing of the Guard and enjoy the band’s performance. Once again we were blown away by the musicality and slickness of the band. We can only imagine the hours they spend practising.