Portugal Coastline with Steve, Michaela & Jim

  Portugal Coastline  

We enjoyed spending time relaxing by the pool and on the beach where sun beds and brollies were waiting for us. Football, bat and ball games were played throughout the day and some went swimming in the sea. 

During our holiday we ate some delicious fresh food from traditional Portuguese cuisine to Italian pizzeria and steak house.

At the Zoo Marine Park we watched an amazing show featuring six or more dolphins and their trainers performing all kinds of tricks. Some of us actually swam with the Dolphins which was a truly unforgettable experience. We went on the water slides, flumes and took it easy on the Zoo Marine beach. The day was completed by a look around the fascinating aquarium where the most colourful and unusual fish could be seen.

We all boarded the Barca Arade boat that took us for a trip up the local river to the historic old town of Silves and back. Along the way we spotted storks flying and nesting in large numbers. The town of Silves was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed a spot of lunch at a riverside restaurant and afterwards a bit of gift shopping. 

In the evening we casually wandered down the streets which were  buzzing with entertainment. We stopped in local bars to enjoy drinks and listened to brilliant live music.

Farm Experience & Zoo with Netty, Paula & Derek

Farm Experience & Zoo

At the Zoo we saw many different types of animals and even managed to stroke a few. We even got a train ride around the Zoo and a guided tour through the Lemur enclosure. 

Our tour ended at the zoo gift shop where we did a spot of shopping. Some of us bought a few fantastic souvenirs to take home.

As usual we went to play ten pin bowling. It was so much fun, we were all cheering each other!

We drove to Southend and had a walk along the seafront and enjoyed a traditional Southend Rossi ice cream. 

We had a fantastic day on the farm, hand feeding  goats and their kids, along with ponies and a lama. We also fed ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens. We were able to hand milk a cow and bottle feed the week old lambs. We watched a sheep get sheered and we had tiny chicks sit on our laps.

During our stay we had fantastic food. The favourite was definitely a local Indian restaurant where we had an amazing meal with everyone trying lots of new dishes that they’d never tasted before.

Butlins, Fun & Dancing with Roger & Pat

  Butlins, Fun & Dancing   

At the fun fair we all had a terrific time going from one ride to another. We especially enjoyed the dodgem cars, the carousel and the paratrooper.

We had a jam-packed week full of live shows including the Ragdolls, Frankie Vallie,  the Four Seasons and of course the amazing The Rat Pack. We were up on the dance floor dancing and singing along with the entertainment. 

We had friendly competitive games of ten pin bowling. Everyone tried there best and some great scores were made!  

 We enjoyed leisurely walks along the sea front where we browsed in shops for gifts and souvenirs. After a delicious ice cream everyone participated in a terrific game of mini golf!  

Another fantastic holiday at Butlins!!!