At the start of last month I went away for five-day break with Will and his family to the place beyond the pines, the place we went to every school holiday without fail, the place where wild deer casually come to check out your back garden and the place where you would happily live if you had the option. That's right, people - Centre Parcs. I've got so many fond childhood memories of Centre Parcs and it's definitely one of my 'happy places'.
One of the reasons I love the big CP is for its chilled out vibe. Despite living in the countryside, I can't spend much time being 'outdoorsy' these days due to my ME and there's something quietly relaxing about being surrounded by trees and wildlife. A little haven away from 'business as usual', it's like nobody at Centre Parcs is stressed about work or refreshing their Twitter feed - everyone is simply happy to be there with each other.
When Will and I came with my family in February, we hired what Centre Parcs call a 'duet', which is essentially a bike with a wheelchair on the front. At first I thought it was pretty darn cute but it soon transpired to be pretty darn unsteady, so we opted for a tandem bike this time around which is even cuter and made me constantly sing this old song.
If you also live with a chronic illness, have mobility issues or a health problem that makes it difficult to go on holiday, I'd absolutely recommend a short break to somewhere like Centre Parcs. There's something for everyone - "so many activities!" - which enables you to do as much or as little as you like without feeling like you're missing out, as the setting is so peaceful and pretty. The cosy villas are incredibly homely if you need to rest and besides, everyone is there to relax which means it couldn't be easier to go at your own pace.
It's always lovely to spend quality time with Will's family and even lovelier to go away with them, and I'm so thankful and appreciative to have such fantastic memories of our trip.
Have you ever been to Centre Parcs?
Meg
what a great looking couple.. i would love to go there and try segway and things. well done.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you! I'd really recommend it, you can do as much or as little as you feel up to and you can take it easy. Plus they're all over the UK so you shouldn't have hours of travelling, I'm already excited for our next family visit! Every ME sufferer needs a segway to get from A to B, they're cooler than motorised wheelchairs ;) thanks, Darren!
DeleteYour pictures are so lovely - looks like you had a brilliant time! Centre Parks seems to be one of those UK places everyone has been on holiday at least once but I've never been, I'd love to go! Plus those segways look like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you managed to make some lovely memories :)
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Thanks, Emma! We did indeed :) our family used to go every half term so I've got lots of happy memories, but it's just as fun now as it was then! You should definitely go if your health permits it, their disability facilities are great and you can have an action-packed trip or a really calm, relaxing break - there's something for everyone. It's like the perfect spoonie holiday as the villas are so cosy, so even if you need to rest it's not like you're stuck in a hotel room away from everybody. They are fun :) thanks so much! x
DeleteSo pleased you had a lovely time away Meg :) the pics are great and you look gorgeous as always!! Well done for managing to get out whilst you were there :) amazing!! Xxx Spoonie love
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sophia, appreciate it :) you're so kind! It was nice to make an effort to join in and spend time with everyone, I'm really glad that it went without a hitch. Lots of love x
DeleteId love to go to Centre Parcs it really looks like my kind of thing :) That bike with a wheelchair is a genius idea ! If only it was more steady it would really be the best invention :) Looks like you had a lovely break x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, I think you'd have the best time! Isn't it good, I thought it'd be amazing but I only actually went on it once before I swapped to a motorised scooter, it felt like you were able to topple off at any second and just really unsafe! Thank you :) x
DeleteLooks like you had such a good time! I've only been to Centre Parcs once when I was younger, but I remember it being really good!
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Thanks Alice, we did indeed :) it was so much fun, wasn't it - I remember absolutely loving the rapids and just spending all day going down them a hundred times. If I had the energy for that it's probably what I'd do at this age, too! x
DeleteI do like Centre Parks but I always hated the biking so much - wasn't my thing, but I love the tranquility! It seems you had a lovely relaxing time, and I hope you're feeling better after some lovely trips :) Sending you lots of love,
ReplyDeleteLauren x
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Thanks, LS! It's so nice and peaceful, isn't it. I think you can book villas nearer the main plaza, then you could walk instead of bike :) or alternatively, get one of those kiddy carriers that clips onto the back of a normal bike - I considered it, haha! Tandems are so cute though. Hope you're doing well! x
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