This year for my 40th we went to Centre Parcs. We’ve never had a centre parcs holiday, purely because of the expense. But, we had a voucher kindly gifted to us by Family Fund. I will write an additional blog to Family Fund. With the voucher, it meant that the cost was dramatically reduced and that it fell within our budget so off we went. We also took our 2 dogs.

It was only a weekend, but for a taster, and the fact we had never been before, I think that was enough. Our days consisted of dog walks, food and the swimming pool. Which was definitely the highlight of our trip. We also managed to squeeze in bowling, yoga, gym session, laser clay shooting. Firstly, the ban on cars was the best present I could ask for. Charlie has zero awareness of danger and will just run out into roads randomly. Also, he struggles to wait. He will just go! Without a second thought to anything else, he gets it into his head and just goes. And because of this, it means I find it really hard to keep him safe when we are out in the community. It is even referenced in our latest support package that Charlie needs 2:1 in the community. So the no cars rule was such a benefit to us and well needed.

The other activities were great, and Charlie came first in his laser clay shooting. He not only beat his older brother, but several other grown adults and it gave Charlie so much confidence and really raised his self esteem. I was so pleased about this as Charlie’s anxiety leads him to have such low self esteem. Anything that can raise it is definitely a blessing.

The swimming pool - this was the best part of our trip. All of it was amazing. The pools, the tempreture the slides, the outdoors. Especially the outdoor pool. Charlie felt that the outdoor pool had the right sensory feedback for him, being in the warm water and having the cold air on his face was perfect for him. Charlie spent 3 hours minimum every day in the pool. My other children, not so much. They enjoyed it and had the best time there, but could leave it if they wanted to. But Charlie couldn’t he focused his whole day on going to the swimming pool that is all that mattered to him. We definitely got the best out of the trip.

There was only one hiccup. And that was we hadn’t booked anywhere to eat Sunday night. We got out of the pool around 8.30pm and that meant by the time we were ready for food, everywhere was shut! In the end we ordered from a local takeaway and they came to deliver. That is definitely something at we would have to bear in mind the next time.

Would we go again? I’m not sure. It is extremely local to us, but so expensive. I would have to look hard for an alternative, and it would have to be local too. Charlie hates travelling at a distance, and I find it difficult to travel with him on the most part. So that will always be key in our decision making. But if I am honest, I don’t know anywhere will ever match the incredible swimming pool that was there. It really was something else. And I would need to think very hard about taking Charlie somewhere that didn’t match those expectations. Although we do have another caravan family holiday in Wales in August so we will see!

Up next, a blog on the Family Fund and then I will be sharing with you all our cruise experience.

Georgina