Centreparcs

A rather long gap between blogs - but I do have an excuse! I was on holiday - went to Centreparcs Monday to Friday with my sisters, mum and stepdad. Rather than boring you with holiday snapshots, I will paint an exciting picture using that most thrilling of paints: words!

Monday-

I was woken up by Mum at around 8:30 (having stayed up late to finish watching season 2 of Scrubs) and, after packing, bathing, and generally panicking, the five of us piled all our stuff into the car and set off on our holiday.

After a 2 hour drive (and some illicit McDonald's for me and my sisters), we arrived at Centreparcs - Elveden Forest. If you are not familiar with the Centreparcs brand, it is a 400-acre area of woodland and lakes, with many little chalets set amongst the trees, and a central 'Village' with shops, tennis courts, restaurants, a swimming pool, etc. It's a really good idea, and though I've been a few times before with my family, this Centreparcs seems the best so far (I think there are four altogether - all in England).

We had lunch at some restaurant (I had Scampi and Chips - very nice), and then we arrived at our little chalet place - the Executive type, including three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a flatscreen TV in each of our bedrooms! Simply amazing, eh? It also has an outdoor Sauna, which I think is just being a bit too indulgent. As long as I'm not paying.

We went swimming (there's a good slide, though the rapids aren't as fast as I had hoped), and then had a chinese meal at the chalet. Talked about politics, and then played Trivial Pursuit; Lucy won after an epic game. Helpful note: Never play Trivial Pursuit with more than three players or teams. It just takes so long.

Tuesday-

Played badminton and tennis on Tuesday. I played a game of badminton against Mark (my stepdad), and though I lost 15-5, I played pretty well. The best I have ever played in my life, in fact. Must be that refreshing forest breeze. Also played tennis in the afternoon, which didn't go as well. It was a baking hot court, and I hadn't played tennis for about 4 years, since PE in school, so was completely atrocious. Badminton seems more of a gentleman's game, anyway. We had a barbecue for supper, and despite a flare-up between my Mum and my sister, all was resolved, and we played Trivial Pursuit again, in two teams this time. Me and Mark won.


Wednesday-

Played badminton again. Just a couple of doubles games - not as good as I was yesterday, but it was a concrete floor, so at least I have an excuse. Also had a succession of visitors to our chalet in the afternoon - first some maids asking if I wanted the chalet cleaned (I turned them away...it just seems so intrusive); then a guy responding to a call about mice droppings in the cupboard. They had even chewed on our tomatoes! He hoovered up the droppings and lay down a couple of humane traps. He was a really friendly guy, actually - we chatted for a while about deer.

In the evening, Mum, Lucy and Harriet went off for some girly spa thing, while me and Mark went to play a MAN'S sport - table tennis. Unbelievably, I actually won (overall).

Thursday -

Jeez...it's scary how quickly memory can fade. Played badminton with Mum and Mark, and then played table tennis with Mum - which I also won! My hands are on fire.
Also read some more...then we had supper, and played Ex Libris in the evening. It's a literary game; the title, author, and premise of a book is read out (from supplied cards), and then everyone has to write down a possible first (or last) line to that book. When everyone has done one, another person reads all them out, as well as the real one. The other players have to try and guess which is the real one. You get a point if you get the real one, but also if someone else guesses your one as the real one. My sister usually comes up with a couple of funny ones:

"Well that about wraps everything up!" said Colonel Wedge. [Last line]
The engine roared one last lustful time. [Last line]

They seemed very funny at the time, anyway.

Friday-

We quickly packed and after leaving our stuff (unprotected, vulnerable...) in the car park, went down to the 'Village' for a final holiday burst. Bought Julia some fudge, and then we went on a pedalo in the lake. Some weird guy in a rowing boat followed us around the whole way though (or possibly he thought we were following him around). We had lunch, and then all drove back.
Julia came round that evening to see me; I really missed her. However, we are together again.

On Saturday evening, went to Julia's last ever choir concert (see her blog for details), and on Sunday, didn't do much at all. Oh, had a driving lesson though - I was pretty good, as well. Maybe this time I won't have to put my test back again!

Um...gosh, it's Tuesday already. Going for coffee later I think. I am also going to start selling some stuff on eBay - everyone go and buy all my stuff.

My user name is elusive_lemma


Fun Facts learned from Trivial Pursuit:

Austin Powers' middle name is Danger.
By 1989, giant trees were sprouting at Chernobyl as a result of what had happened there three years earlier (big nuclear plant explosion).
Japan has the world's highest daily circulation of newspapers.
Sweden has the world's lowest murder rate, but also one of the highest suicide rates.