On the 23rd August 2008 all the young people from Cumbria View and six lucky staff departed for the Home’s annual holiday. This year the destination was Puerto Banus in the Costa-del-Sol, Spain.
Although several of the young people hadn’t been on a plane before there were little nerves shown by them. In fact as the pilot set off there were lots of smiles and cheering to be seen and heard.
Once the flight to Malaga had landed, all the party then got in the hire cars and drove down to the villa at Puerto Banus. When we arrived the excitement was in full swing, the young people and the staff couldn’t believe how nice the villa was. 2 swimming pools, table tennis, table football, pool table, barbecues, and not to mention the fact that we were only 2 minutes walk from the beach! All the young people then sorted out their rooms, 7 bedrooms in total!
Then even though it was late they all went for a quick swim in the pool before settling down for the night.
The first day was a relaxed one and a chance for all the party to get their bearings. Some of the young people enjoyed a walk into the town looking at the enormous yachts and fast cars. Others chose just to enjoy what the villa had to offer and spent considerable time in the pool. In the evening we all had a barbeque and enjoyed chatting and playing games until it was time to settle down for the night.
The next day we all headed out for a trip to Gibraltar. When we arrived we all went on a boat trip to go and watch dolphins. Many dolphins were seen and performed for us right by the boat. Every one thought the trip was great and for many it was again a new experience and an opportunity to get some much needed sun!
After the boat trip we all went up Gibraltar Rock. Some nerves were seen this time not by the young people but by the staff due to the height! Once there everyone enjoyed watching the monkeys, even though they were very hungry and pinched several people’s food! Not ours I may hasten to add! After a long day we headed back to the villa very tired.
On Tuesday we had another relaxing day around the villa and the surrounding area. Some went and spent their pocket money in the town while others relaxed on the beach catching the rays with sun cream liberally applied. In the evening we all went for a nice meal to a local Chinese restaurant. Again this was a great experience and an opportunity for the young people to try new foods. Every one enjoyed it apart from Tony when he got the bill!
Wednesday was another planned trip. We all went to the Water Park at Fuengirola. Although we got a little lost on the way, once there every one enjoyed the day relaxing by the pools and going on the water slides. As well as once again topping up their tans! Some races down the slides were very close but all in very good humour. Once we arrived back at the villa another barbeque was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Thursday was again another relaxing day and an opportunity for everyone to buy presents and send postcards. Most of the young people enjoyed spending the last day in the pool or continuing to develop their skills playing table tennis.
In the evening all the group including Howard, Operations Director for Witherslack Care & Education and our Guide for the week, went for our final meal to TGI Fridays. Again the conversation was very pleasant and an enjoyable meal was had by all.
Friday was then the return journey. All the young people kept asking “can we stay for another week?” The journey this time was a quiet one and several people in the group were seen nodding off on the plane.
Although considerable effort went into the holiday prior to us arriving, a big thank you to everyone, the atmosphere and the whole experience was fantastic. So much fun was had by all. It was a great pleasure for all the staff involved to witness and take part in so many happy memories, some that will hopefully be remembered for the rest of their lives.
