Friday 3rd – Monday 6th June

I’ve been trying to organise a family holiday in France since before the pandemic. This little trip to Center Parcs in Elveden Forest, Norfolk was a stocking filler in lieu of a bigger trip.

The weekend also saw the celebrations for HM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, so cause for a party!!

We have two 3 bedroom lodges booked – the grown-ups in one, the kids in the other. All the food was placed in the adults’ lodge. Later, it was decided to have meals in the kids’ lodge as their toys etc were there. So, a lot of toing and froing of food, plates, cutlery etc. between the two lodges. Good job they were fairly near each other!

Friday 3rd June

Great excitement via WhatsApp as everyone set off from their homes with packed cars and some with bicycles too.

Husband and I actually took both our cars and it was still a squash getting it all in. We had travelled about a mile on our journey when I realised we had the motorhome number plate on the bike rack, instead of the car number plate (there’s a fine for that!). The number plate normally lives in the car but, because of the quantity of stuff we were taking, it had got moved to the garage. Husband kindly made a return trip for the number plate while I waited in a lay-by – ooops.

A bit of a queue in the car on arrival but we were soon checked-in and meeting up. Stanley was very keen on seeing Husband, who is known as Fester (or Ester as Stanley calls him!).

First order of business an M&S supplied picnic by the lake beach.

The only Sub-Tropical Swimming Paradise 3 hour session we could get today was at 15.45, 15 minutes before we had access to the lodges. No problem, as everyone gets access at the same time it can be a little chaotic with cars so perhaps it was better to unload slightly later.

The initial preparations for our Platinum Jubilee Pudding!

Pizza night!!

Saturday 4th June

We were a distance from the central area but, even if you didn’t have a bike, you could cut through to all the action quite quickly. The Famo had booked their own activities – Kayak, Katakanu (sort of a double canoe) and, later, Pedalo hire.

Late afternoon we had our second session in the Sub-Tropical Swimming Paradise. Husband rather thought he was young again and went down the flumes and rapids with the children a zillion times. The bruises took over a week to heal!!

We cut short our 3 hour session in order to get ready for our Platinum Jubilee Party.

The biggest surprise of the evening was when Margaret – without telling anyone beforehand – appeared dressed from head to toe in the Union Flag, plus a very fetching crown. I hope I’m that much fun when I’m 80!!

Sunday 5th June

This morning a treat for the men – paintballing in the pouring rain!

Another contingent of the Famo set off for the Pancake House and then we re-grouped in the Sub-Tropical Swimming Paradise.

Most of us decided to leave late afternoon as you have to be out by 10.00am in the morning so it’s pack and go now or sleep, pack and go! The only drawback was it was an horrendous drive home in torrential rain.

Jamie & family stayed on for Sunday night and treated themselves to a meal out in one of the venues.

Monday 6th June

All home safe – a great long weekend!