Half term seemed to come around very quickly, and we spent the majority of it at Centreparcs, the Elveden Forest site. I have to admit that having read a few reviews on various websites I was a little apprehensive as they had several bad reviews listed. Many were disappointed with staff attitudes, cleanliness and availability of activities. Still we packed up and headed off arriving just after lunchtime. You cannot get into your accommodation until 3pm but you can arrive onsite early, park up and make use of the facilities, however, the only facilities included in the holiday price are the sub tropical swimming paradise and the outside play areas. Sports, kids clubs and craft activities generally cost extra and at peak periods such as school holidays get booked up quickly.
On arrival we were greeted and given our keys but told we couldn’t go to the villa until 4pm as they were running late with the cleaning, this wasn’t a problem and we made ourselves comfortable in one of the on-site restaurants and met up with the rest of the family. We planned the rest of the meals for the week and booked them while we were waiting and managed to get pretty much what we wanted, we were also able to book in for the spa.
On arrival at the villa we were pleased to see how close it was to the main village and that we wouldn’t require bikes in order to persuade the kids to venture out, as we hadn’t brought any – there were a lot around and you can hire them but beware there are a lot of wobbly riders out there and some do not look where they are going and can be tricky to navigate around on the more narrow pathways. The accommodation was clean and tidy and for a family of five fairly spacious. The remainder of our party were in a villa opposite us and beside them was a semi-famous person; Max from Eastenders and his family – not that we bothered them as they were clearly having a family holiday and did not seem to want to sign autographs etc.
We ate in the villa and again everything was clean and tidy and in working order. On Tuesday the kids were attending a queen of hearts tea party, this enables the adults the opportunity to try the swimming pool without them – the rapids were indeed rapid and not to be tried after a trip to the hot pools as the temperature difference is huge! The slides are fast and for the faster one there is often a large queue. The males of the party enjoyed the competitiveness of clay pigeon shooting whilst the rest of us spent the time exploring the site and using the climbing frames and so on.
We all enjoyed our dinner at Hucks, the kids thought the buffet was brilliant and there was a play area for the kids to keep them occupied while they were waiting, as well as a computer bank for the older kids. The food was quick, the staff friendly and I would definitely go there again. Our second full day was busy as we paid a visit to the swimming pool with the kids. The yellow and orange buoyancy aids supplied were a big hit and gave them all the confidence they needed to try the wave machine, slides and in Hpop’s case the rapids. It seemed a world away from the days when my little imp refused to go near the water, as soon as he came down a slide he was out and back into the queue. Pixie declared in true Pixie fashion that she didn’t like the swimming pool because it was too wet, and she didn’t like the slide because it was too skiddy, right before she asked to go on again.
We tried ten pin bowling in the afternoon, another hit and then in the evening we had a magic show at the Pancake House. The food was buffet style and plentiful and tasty and magic Olly came around to do some close up magic before the show. The trick he did with our children and the multiplying sponge balls amazed them and was brilliant to watch. During the show itself he picked on Pixie to help him with the ever growing wand trick, she was unfazed by a roomful of people and wasn’t afraid of telling the magician exactly what she thought of his giant wands. They were thoroughly entertained and we had another quiet evening.
Thursday saw another visit to the swimming pool before the men took over kids entertainment duty and I and my MIL escaped to the spa. It was a long walk from the village but well appointed, the only thing that was slightly disappointing was the necessity to change in open plans rooms, when we went the place was quite busy and for those who are self conscious for one reason or another this can be a problem. We participated in the 3 hours spa around the world experience where you roam around two floors of rooms at your own leisure and decide where you want to go, we really like the Indian steam room and the Turkish one as well. Again a slight niggle that people spending the day enjoying the facilities had taken up residence on the loungers and water beds meaning that despite the signs asking people to be no more than 15 minutes these facilities were rarely available. It wasn’t the warmest of days but even so the outside pool with various massaging water jets was warm and lovely.
Dinner was at Cafe Rogue and again was fine and another play area to keep the kids occupied. Back at the villas we had to start packing up once the kids went to bed as check out is 10am. On this occasion we decided to leave then and come home to do some other bits before the children returned to school but you can stay on and use the facilities if you wish. All in all a good break with plenty of fun for everyone.
With the snow and ice gone it was back to a proper training schedule. Running at CentreParcs was lovely, the air was fresh, no cars are allowed on site after check in day and you can smell pine trees all the way round. There are some lovely views of the lakes as well and so I felt fairy revitalised running there. At the weekend I ran a half marathon and have to admit I found it very difficult. This week the training has gone well and I already have 20 miles on the board and tomorrow aiming for a 15 mile run. Fundraising is going well with a steady flow of contributors. (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/melsmarathonmadness) It has struck me however how isolating the training can be. You spend a lot of time running at the most miserable time of year, it is cold, wet and dark for most of the time but you need to get the miles into your leg. A lot of people you know see you running or hear about what you’re doing so you spend a lot of time talking about running as well as doing it, but at the same time it can be lonely. If you run for a club or train with someone the experience is probably different, but for me doing the majority of my training by myself due to the hours in which I can train (school time) it can be difficult. Pixie has just switched to going to school in the morning so that makes life easier. I can have breakfast with the kids, take them to school, run and then have lunch with Pixie when I pick her up after my run but at the same time for the last few months I have had to say no to invitations for evening events because I am due to run early in the morning, a couple of birthday parties of lunches because it conflicts with training and even getting up earlier than usual to run or going out in the evenings if Mr T is home early enough. In reality I am one of the lucky ones, I work around the kids so although the writing is suffering at the moment I can prioritise training whereas those working full time still have to fit their running in. Despite this there have been times when I have wondered what on earth I am letting myself in for, why do I want to run just over 26 miles and the answer is because it has always been an ambition of mine, precisely because of the doubts that I can actually do it – I have to now prove it to myself and for the charities that I am raising money for.
A lot of people talk about a running bug, that once you start you won’t stop. I can honestly say that I won’t stop altogether but I will not be running every day after the marathon, I’ll cut down to 2-3 times a week with a maximum of 5 miles. There are other things I enjoy that are less severe on knees and ankles and carry less risk of getting injured. I have been touched by the interest people have shown and the those wanting to come and watch and am also in the process of trying to work out where it would be best for them to be if they want to be together. I have no idea how I am going to feel once I have actually completed the course but I am sure it will be worth it in the end, 8 weeks and counting …