Birthday Celebrations 1941- 2011 CenterParc

The family celebration for my 70th birthday was held at the Nottingham CenterParc site where we had three villas next to each other.  Kate and family flew in to Manchester from Switzerland, Nicholas came down from Macclesfield, Liz and family flew to Newcastle from Norway but Philip and Helen had the longest car journey and they set off from Stevenage.

On the Saturday night we all met in Nick and Kate's villa for the start of the birthday festivities.


Cards being opened



Nicholas in charge of champagne

  



Birthday Cake

 


Arrival of candle lit cake



Cake being recorded

Time to blow

After the opening of the presents we went out for our evening meal.  There was not enough space for our party in the French or Italian restaurants so went to the American Diner.

Whilst the adults had more drinks and their starters the children were catered for with a computer games area (Bella) and a ball pool (Sebby, Marisa and Ella)

Fun in the ball pool

On Sunday morning we went for a photo session with the exception of Kjetil who had developed a severe migraine.  Considering the noise in the American Diner on Saturday this was not surprising.  We had lots of photos in various combinations but I'll only show three.

Three Generations



It was a busy time between 2005 and 2008

   


We're still standing

Senior windsurfer aka Alistair

  

Marisa windsurfs in drier location

 

One of the reasons for choosing the CenterParc location was the choice of activities available.  There are no shots of the ladies Spa Experiences on Sunday afternoon but here is a selection of some of the other activities.

 

En garde mes enfants

Les adultes sont arrivee

Helen did grown up riding off site but the grandchildren enjoyed pony rides on site.

Ella and Marisa



Sebby



Bella

 The woodland location was ideal and the wildlife visits much enjoyed.  Alistair was a bit suspicious that whenever a villa's human occupants moved in two or three rabbits arrived to be viewed through the windows .  Either the rabbits are very well trained or they were the same rabbits being deposited by the wildlife vans driving round the site and then collected up for the next arrivals. 

The ducks were always in evidence much to Ella's delight..

Finally a 21 gun salute from Philip who went clay pigeon shooting.

There was a surprise included in this weekend. ........ a Hot Air Balloon Flight for Alistair and I.

Unfortunately it was too windy on Sunday morning and the flight cancelled. It did take place but it was to take two more months to lift off.  (see August blog).