Center Parcs

Monday - we weren't in a rush, we couldn't check in until 3.30 and we hadn't started to pack.  First things first though, a lie in.  Then breakfast and packing - the good think about having a 10 year old: we don't need half of what we did need only 4 years ago and it doesn't matter if we forget anything, nothing is sacred.

A BBQ in FEBRUARY!!!!!

Hot Dogs and Burgers - beautiful British fayre!

We finally got away around 11, stopped enroute at the Post Office and supermarket in Penrith to stock up - restaurants at Center Parcs are ridiculously over priced, meaning we cook for ourselves.  Then lunch and on to Center Parcs.  We got there at 2pm - too early to go to our lodge, but we could use the facilities, so we got our swimming bags and headed over to the pool.  We spent a good hour and a half doing the rapids, flumes, waves etc. It was busy but the queues weren't too terrible and Tom was mega excited.  By the time we got out, it was gone 4pm, so we got to the car and found our lodge - right at the far corner of the park - we have a two storey executive house complete with sauna and 2 spa baths.  Very comfy and Tom had a choice of two rooms - he went for the double rather than the twin - sensible him!

As it was such a gorgeous day we decided on having a BBQ.  We had brought some charcoal with us - thinking we were being organised - but the BBQ here only has a stand - no where to burn charcoal - so we had to get on our bikes and head back to the village centre where there is a supermarket - selling disposable BBQs, which are perfectly sized to put on their stands.  Oh hum - the exercise did us good.  Fancy that, a BBQ in February in Cumbria?!!!!!!  We didn't expect that - we didn't eat out because once the sun went down it was quite cool, and obviously very dark, but I was only wearing a jumper whilst cooking.

We then played a game of UNO and then after some telly bed for Tom and not much later bed for us.

Outside lunch

Tuesday - another brilliant blue and sunny day - what is going on?  Didn't wear a coat once today!  We had a lovely lie in and then breakfast (jam doughnut - naughty but nice) and then we decided to head to the pool hoping it wouldn't be too full.  We were lucky - it was reasonably quiet so we got to do all the rides quite easily.  I was the only one to get an injury - Matt hurt his (other) elbow on the outside canyon run (he did that last time) and Tom hurt himself on one of the flumes, but nothing was too major and it didn't ruin the fun.  Think we had a go on everything about twice, we wallowed in the outdoor pool IN THE SUNSHINE and had a very good time.  We came home hungry, but we were keen to try out the sauna, so we had a drink and some crisps and then headed to our sauna - it is an infra red sauna - so no steam and it got hot, but not quite hot enough to sweat - but it was very very pleasant.  Afterwards I put a pizza in the oven for lunch and we ate it OUTSIDE IN THE SUNSHINE.  We could have been forgiven for thinking we were in Spain - really!

Cumbria or the Med?

After lunch we went for a bike ride right round the Park - lots of hills - and yes I am the unfittest of the 3 of us by quite some way now (I have lost quite a bit of fitness since giving up Boxercise - really need to find something else to replace it)  I couldn't keep up with the boys at all!  I know my place and it is way at the back - humph!  It is certainly a big place and they are building more lodges on the fringes of the place - we reckon it takes about 6,000 when full and it isn't far off being full this week.  We've discovered it is half term in Wales as well this week - so pretty much everyone is either Welsh or Yorkshire.

After our bike ride, we had an hour's downtime and then headed to the Sports Pavilion where I had booked myself a 1 hour massage (my neck, shoulders and legs have become quite stiff recently).  So I went off to do that whilst the boys played two different types of pool: football pool and regular pool.  They seemed to have a good time, I had the best time: one hour of someone beating out the knots in my shoulders and legs - caused some pain, but boy it felt good and I was sad when it ended.

I found the boys, we headed back to the lodge where we had tea, a game of flags (we've added all the cards now!) and bed.  A good day.

Wednesday - wow what a day.  It was another glorious day with deep blue skies and sunshine - we don't think we have seen a cloud now since Birmingham on Saturday.

Today we were able to send Tom off to the shop on an errand for breakfast.  We are just under a mile from the village centre and the only form of transport allowed is bike (all cars have to be taken off site on Monday after unpacking).  This means it is mega safe for children to bike around.  Tom was desperate to go on errands for us - the route from our house to the centre involves quite a few turns, but he learnt it immediately and we were confident he would be fine (there are signs all over the place).  We had Hot Cross Buns ready for breakfast but Matt suddenly fancied some jam - Tom was insistent that he go and get some for him.  So, off on his bike he went.  How exciting.  We, of course were nervous, but of course we shouldn't have been - he was back in the blink of eye and he was excited that he had been able to do it and told us in detail about how many people he had seen etc.  We now need to 'run' out of things so he can go and get other stuff for us.

Our routine today was the same as yesterday and after a leisurely breakfast we headed to the pool which was emptier than it was yesterday.  We did some good rides on the flumes, canyon and slides and without too many injuries.  We have now decided that if you leave Center Parcs with no cuts, bruises, aches or pains then you weren't trying hard enough!

Out on our bike treasure hunt

Winners!

We cycled home, had a sauna and a pizza with salad for lunch (outside - again!) and then headed to the Sports Plaza for 2.15 as we had booked on a bike treasure hunt.  This involved reading a map to find clues.  Can't say we found all the clues easily - where they were marked on the map and where they actually were seemed to be different and some were up roads marked for Emergency Services only - meaning we couldn't find them without asking.  Anyway, we did good, the parc is quite hilly so  we got a good workout and we found parts of the parc we didn't even know existed.  All in all we did just under 4 miles which isn't much for us, but it felt much longer and the hills are quite hilly!  We got back to find that we were the winners (we didn't know it was a race!  Apparently the other competitors didn't turn up so actually we were the only entrants but hey, no-one needs to know that!)  Our prize: a choice of baseball cap / swim bag and a badge each and a 1st place certificate.  The boys choose a cap and I went for the bag.  We toasted our success with an ice cream which we ate outside in the sunshine.

The pool building at night

Then back home for an early tea (beef stew which I made yesterday) another game of flags and then back to the swimming pool for an evening swim - we had been recommended evening swim by the Holmans - especially the Canyon as you are outside in the cold but in warm water.  The flumes are also different - one is completely black so you can't see where you are going at all.  The pool was much emptier than during the day meaning more room and less queueing, always good.

We got out at 8pm and walked home (we forgot to bring lights for the bikes).  We collapsed shattered, a good but exhausting day.

Thursday - we had run out of smoothie and the milk was out of date - oh no, who can help?  The shop is a mile away...yay Super Tom to the rescue, up and out of bed, fully dressed with bike helmet on to save the day and off he went.  Only took him about 10 minutes again!

Pipped at the post!

We had breakfast and then headed out to the village centre and the bowling rink for a session of 10 pin bowling.  I had a shocker of a game and lost both games by quite some way.  Matt won the first one easily, in the second one Tom led the whole way and then Matt beat him on the last bowl of the game by 2 points.  Let's say there were sulks.  We offered him a fancy mocktail in the bar, no good, so then we offered him a game of pool in the Sports Bar - we had a flicker of a smile so we headed over there.  It was Tom vs me and Matt.  Tom won the first game (when Matt potted the black, the white followed suite!)  Matt and I won the second game and then we won the third game because Tom accidentally potted the black.  A face came back on!  Oh well, we cycled home and had an interesting lunch of left overs.

Pool

Then a full game of flags, a spa bath for both the boys and a sauna for Matt and I before heading out to the pool for another session of slides, flumes and wetness.  This time we all injured ourselves - I managed to bash my head twice on the same ride - the outdoor canyon, I got it completely wrong, was on my front at one stage, legs and arms going akimbo - completely out of control!  We had a good session though, eventually dragging ourselves out just before 5.  We got outside to get our bikes and found them wet - it had been raining?!!!!  What on earth?!!!  It wasn't much just mild spitting - but a shock none the less.  We cycled home just as the light disappeared and tucked into a chicken curry and jacket potatoes.

Local (FAT) wildlife!

Not looking forward to leaving tomorrow - we have all relaxed loads, and enjoyed the woodland life, cycling everywhere and swimming once a day - we all think we have gained quite a bit of fitness with all the cycling and swimming.  Doing one activity a day seems about right and generally we have enjoyed being with each other without the stresses of everyday life at home.

Notes for next time:
+ Bring lights for bikes
+ Bring torches
+ Bring tupperwares
+ Bring enough food for breakfast / lunch and dinner - really no point eating out here, way too overpriced
+ Arrange one activity per day - that with swimming pool is enough to fill the day
+ Bring board games for evenings / relaxing afternoons
+ If you want a BBQ - need to bring a disposable one
+ Don't need coffee or tea
+ Bring 3 rucksacks - so each person can carry their swim stuff whilst cycling
+ Remember wireless speaker - it has been on almost constantly.