A measure of Warninks Advocaat shaken with a splash of lime cordial and topped-up with a R White's lemonade is a mocktail reminiscent of Butlin's, Bognor Regis, where I spent a family holiday with my parents and three brothers in the 60s.
For the first time, families were able to enjoy a one-stop venue for their annual holiday together where they were fed, watered and entertained before heading back to their chalets to sleep-off the days' sunbathing excesses, only to be woken by a tannoy at 7am ~ kinda "Mornin' Campers" a la Hi-Di-Hi !
Fancy Dress competions were a regular feature of the entertainment programme: my youngest brother was dressed as Popeye ~ "That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no more!" ~ he wore a Sea Captain's cap, smoked a pipe and completed the ensemble with a 'tattoo' of a ship on his tummy, rolling the ship across the waves with his abdominal muscles to loud applause. "Well blow me down"!Trampolining Dads competed for the Best Dad trophy whilst children watched in awe at the high performance double front flips, backflips, front drops, knee flips ... WOW !! ... Mums' flashed glances between themselves and back towards their husbands whose dopamine levels had clearly peaked for the day.
Evening dancing to live bands were a must ... it felt sooo sophisticated to sip Snowball mocktails whilst watching my parents trip the light fantastic around the ballroom. "You'll have a really wonderful time at Butlins by the sea". And so we had.
Holidays in dear old Blighty, I predict, will enjoy a resurgence due to the times of austerity we are about to experience, thankfully, this will likely be a saving grace for all, not least, The Kingdom.
Many families book their holidays between Christmas and the New Year. The world is our oyster ~ Eat, Pray, Love ... England.
Hotels to youth hostels await us and most will not break the bank ... ... ... so long as the Eurozone is held off.
With almost 200 BEACHES in South East England on which to build sandcastles, we are spoilt for choice amongst the many that also hold Blue Flags.With 1457.4 hours of sunshine each year, watersports and landside activities offer opportunities to families to enjoy this green and pleasant land ... ... 'til we have built Jerusalem.
Hertfordshire's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic towns and many old villages remain unspoiled with thatched cottages set in leafy lanes.
Broxbourne's Lee Valley Park is unrivalled activities include White Water Rafting, sailing, athletics, golf, horse riding, ice skating, fishing, cycling, bird watching, camping ... the list is endless.
I shall most likely be Peddling off the Pud at 10am-1pm, 29th December with a 15 mile cycle through Lee Valley ParkBook with Lee Valley 08456 770 600. See you there?
With Season's Greetings and every good wish for the coming New Year.
Hostels are undeniably the place for hanging out.
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