this week we have mostly been swimming

we went to centerparcs, which has become a fixture in our calendar, with friends. we were sharing with jax and family at making it up, for the last year, as there will be too many of us for a chalet next time, but we have had fun and will meet still in the pool.

We got there in good time, considering i have been so ill, and on the day had about enough energy to get to car! and then just bob about in the pool – lol the girls were ecstatic to be there, and raced around to see all their favourite bits. we met merry and family leaving the pool. on returning to chalet, waited for a bit for jax and family to arrive and then another swim. We managed 2 swims each day, a morning and evening one, and met at least either fishes or puddles at each swim [or both] so the children all had a fantastic time, and we adults also had chance to chat. SB mostly loved racing around the rapids flumes and slide with friends, but also some diving for seals and general fun. BB is now a swimmer, but rather like buzz who falls with style, her swimming was more like drowning with style, causing me to have rather a few more grey hairs and constant vigilence! an oft asked question was ‘are you allright’ whilst hoiking her up, and yes and no were 50:50 – eek! but she could swim the width of the saltpool, and is better when underwater as stroke is good, just v v poor at breathing and swimming – lol!! she also did well with snorkel. we have therefore got more photos of bb as had to keep an eye on her at all times!! towards the end of the week she got a bit tired, so did use one of their swimvests. i love centreparcs tho, and it was fb

we took bikes, but due to slowly recovering chest, i didn’t ride min which was sad, as a nice afternoon cycle would have been good. chris went out 2 of the days and bb with him once. in the afternoon we did music theory with Big and SB, which went well, and both concentrated well. Also played games of rapidough, giro galoppo and smallworld, all of which were enjoyed. colouring and general mooching also. one lunch was a mini party for Big, and she appeared to be v happy wth the frame SB had made – which is good, and a similar frame was requested by another girl expecting a birthday soon – lol!!

lots of chance for chat and catchup, and as always the week went far too quickly. . but i think it is a perfect way to recover from the post christmas blues, which have been deeper than normal for me this year. i did have a few moments at centerparcs, as could see where my sister was sitting encouraging us all in play when she was there with us last May, and i so wished i could still see her and hear her. Discussing with Jax, who has also lost a sister, i don’t think it will ever leave me, this sense of bereftness. hopefully tho, the surprise moments will be less, and that i can weave her story into my everyday in a more comforting way. But let’s not finish this blog on a sad note, because it ha been a lovely family holiday, and i am, as always, blessed by the love of a great family and also great friends so here is a cheeky pic!

for those that are interested, we use a normal digital camera housed in nereus case. we have done this for 2 centerparcs holidays now without leakage!