Mousecellaneous - a thread to share non-DLP related posts

[tennisfan]

I thought the weekend at Haven Devon Cliffs in Devon in a caravan in March earlier this year was dire, but it has just been surpassed by our long weekend (cut short) at Haven Littlesea in Weymouth in our tent.
The 2 days we stuck it out for culminated last night in our top of the range family tent ending up in one of the park bins. After waiting and watching it bend and twist in the gale force winds and driving rain for 36 hours, I took the decision to call it a day about an hour before it gave up the fight and collapsed completely, luckily at this point we'd evacuated and were just waiting for Green Flag to come and start the car, yep, just when you think things can't get any worse - they inevitably do.
I gave our "windbreaks" away to a fellow camper, bravely trying to erect his tent, who admitted if it wasn't the first day of their holiday, he wouldn't bother trying. There were people worse than us, the family in front arrived in the morning, battled the wind to get their tent up and by the time we left I'd watched it get ripped out of the ground and somersault across the campsite, while we waited for our Recovery man I watched dad bravely battle the torrential rain and wind to re-erect the tent, while his family looked on helplessly from the car.
Deciding no amount of TLC could repair our tent, more than half the poles had split, it has leaked in several places for the whole 2 days due mostly I think due to the tape on the seams being ripped away as it was twisted and pulled, we decided the bin was probably the best place for it. It wasn't alone there were several other tents in the skip when we got there and I suspect several more by this morning.

Anyway the upshot of this is I have sworn never to be co-erced into a non-Disney holiday ever again. The rest of the family aren't as enthusiastic about DLP as me, which is partly why I agreed to something different and why in addition to our 2 disappointing Haven breaks I've also spent almost £1500 on a week in Butlins in August - it had better be good ! Otherwise in future we will be having seperate holidays.
Despite holidaying at DLP when it's been raining, cold, snowing and horrendously busy, I can hand on heart say we've always had fun.
DLP Rules

This is why I don't do camping. I'm sorry it didn't go well for you Jill.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

I thought the weekend at Haven Devon Cliffs in Devon in a caravan in March earlier this year was dire, but it has just been surpassed by our long weekend (cut short) at Haven Littlesea in Weymouth in our tent.
The 2 days we stuck it out for culminated last night in our top of the range family tent ending up in one of the park bins. After waiting and watching it bend and twist in the gale force winds and driving rain for 36 hours, I took the decision to call it a day about an hour before it gave up the fight and collapsed completely, luckily at this point we'd evacuated and were just waiting for Green Flag to come and start the car, yep, just when you think things can't get any worse - they inevitably do.
I gave our "windbreaks" away to a fellow camper, bravely trying to erect his tent, who admitted if it wasn't the first day of their holiday, he wouldn't bother trying. There were people worse than us, the family in front arrived in the morning, battled the wind to get their tent up and by the time we left I'd watched it get ripped out of the ground and somersault across the campsite, while we waited for our Recovery man I watched dad bravely battle the torrential rain and wind to re-erect the tent, while his family looked on helplessly from the car.
Deciding no amount of TLC could repair our tent, more than half the poles had split, it has leaked in several places for the whole 2 days due mostly I think due to the tape on the seams being ripped away as it was twisted and pulled, we decided the bin was probably the best place for it. It wasn't alone there were several other tents in the skip when we got there and I suspect several more by this morning.

Anyway the upshot of this is I have sworn never to be co-erced into a non-Disney holiday ever again. The rest of the family aren't as enthusiastic about DLP as me, which is partly why I agreed to something different and why in addition to our 2 disappointing Haven breaks I've also spent almost £1500 on a week in Butlins in August - it had better be good ! Otherwise in future we will be having seperate holidays.
Despite holidaying at DLP when it's been raining, cold, snowing and horrendously busy, I can hand on heart say we've always had fun.
DLP Rules

I'm sorry you had such a rubbish time camping but I can truely say a big HERE HERE! to the DLP bit

 

[pyebibby]

Sorry about your camping disaster.
Which Butlins are you off to?
I am taking the children to Minehead one on the 15th Aug, thanks to Tesco clubcard.

 

[Ware Bears]

Oh Jill, you certainly deserve a

I've never been to Butlins myself (we went to Pontins when I was a kid ) but DH's brother and his wife are great fans. Even though they enjoyed their first visit to DLRP last year, Butlins obviously comes favourite with them as they've just booked again for next year.

Hope you will have a lovely holiday there ~ just don't compare it to DLRP!!

 

[Cyrano]

Oh Jill I could just see you battling with the tent

Our tent only comes out in perfect weather. So I don't think it will see ground this year

 

[jillrobinson]

Sorry about your camping disaster.
Which Butlins are you off to?
I am taking the children to Minehead one on the 15th Aug, thanks to Tesco clubcard.

We're going to Minehead too, from the 8th August and again with the help of Tesco Clubcard, no way would I pay that sort of money otherwise and I opted for the Gold Apartment, self catering although I'm wishing now I'd gone for the DB&B option.

Until last weekend, our Butlins holiday in 2002, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2090740.stm was top of my worse holiday list. Apart from the Norwalk outbreak which curtailed our holiday when my diabetic mum got it, my youngest who was only 3 then was still ill a week after we came home, the list of problems we encountered with the accomodation alone filled an A4 page, but not being one to hold a grudge, I gave in to DS's requests and agreed to give it another go. Fingers crossed they've smartened up a bit since our last visit, as I understand the Noddy themed cottages have been demolished, which has to be good news, as everyone who was staying in one when we there was complaining about the state of them.

 

[jillrobinson]

Thanks for all the comments guys I'm sure in years to come we'll look back and laugh about it.
I did point out to DH that I found a newer version of our tent on the internet with £100 off it at the moment, but he didn't seem very interested

I don't think trying to secure guy-ropes at 3.00am in the morning was his idea of a relaxing holiday.

 

[britchic4]

Thanks for all the comments guys I'm sure in years to come we'll look back and laugh about it.
I did point out to DH that I found a newer version of our tent on the internet with £100 off it at the moment, but he didn't seem very interested

I don't think trying to secure guy-ropes at 3.00am in the morning was his idea of a relaxing holiday.

Sorry I know it wasn't funny at the time but it's rather an amusing image now! Sorry it was a rubbish holiday though, it always feels like such a waste doesn't it?

 

[ema74]

Ah jill, so sorry you didn't have fun on your holiday! I hate camping with passion and have sworn never to go camping! Luckily, DH doesn't like camping either so we don't have to argue about it

Hope Butlins is better

 

[Rachie B]

mmmmm food looks nice

thanks for pics and review

we are going to eat here when we go next month

x

 

[tigger300686]

Looks good, I'd not thought of eating here b4

 

[jillrobinson]

It's been such a long time since we've been into WDS, I know we'll definately need a whole day to discover the new attractions and revisit the old ones so I'm planning one meal in here, it looks good.

 

[ema74]

I have to share this with you all... Mia was nominated for an award at school. They have Celebration Evening at the end of every year but this year is the first time someone from Year 1 was nominated. The way it works is the teacher nominates and explains why etc. and the head decides.

I didn't have my hopes too high, I thought it was very nice of Pat (Mia's teacher) to nominate Mia but didn't expect anything...

The Celebration Evening started at 7pm tonight. Mia didn't go, she went on a school trip to the British Library and then we had picnic with one of her friends so she was too tired. I really wanted to go but thought it was wiser to see my kids alive first thing in the morning so sent DH instead.

And the result was:

<a href="http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh13/cutebutwrong/pins/?action=view&current=best_girl_award.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh13/cutebutwrong/pins/best_girl_award.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We're so proud of her, it was all due to her working hard and just enjoying school!!!

 

[Tillybud]

way to go Mia, that is fantastic stuff .... not surprised you're all very proud

 

[Ware Bears]

Wow!! That is fabulous. You must be bursting with pride!

Well done Mia!!

 

[tigger300686]

I thought the weekend at Haven Devon Cliffs in Devon in a caravan in March earlier this year was dire, but it has just been surpassed by our long weekend (cut short) at Haven Littlesea in Weymouth in our tent.
The 2 days we stuck it out for culminated last night in our top of the range family tent ending up in one of the park bins. After waiting and watching it bend and twist in the gale force winds and driving rain for 36 hours, I took the decision to call it a day about an hour before it gave up the fight and collapsed completely, luckily at this point we'd evacuated and were just waiting for Green Flag to come and start the car, yep, just when you think things can't get any worse - they inevitably do.
I gave our "windbreaks" away to a fellow camper, bravely trying to erect his tent, who admitted if it wasn't the first day of their holiday, he wouldn't bother trying. There were people worse than us, the family in front arrived in the morning, battled the wind to get their tent up and by the time we left I'd watched it get ripped out of the ground and somersault across the campsite, while we waited for our Recovery man I watched dad bravely battle the torrential rain and wind to re-erect the tent, while his family looked on helplessly from the car.
Deciding no amount of TLC could repair our tent, more than half the poles had split, it has leaked in several places for the whole 2 days due mostly I think due to the tape on the seams being ripped away as it was twisted and pulled, we decided the bin was probably the best place for it. It wasn't alone there were several other tents in the skip when we got there and I suspect several more by this morning.

Anyway the upshot of this is I have sworn never to be co-erced into a non-Disney holiday ever again. The rest of the family aren't as enthusiastic about DLP as me, which is partly why I agreed to something different and why in addition to our 2 disappointing Haven breaks I've also spent almost £1500 on a week in Butlins in August - it had better be good ! Otherwise in future we will be having seperate holidays.
Despite holidaying at DLP when it's been raining, cold, snowing and horrendously busy, I can hand on heart say we've always had fun.
DLP Rules

I know what you mean Jill- We're *tried* to go camping twice this year. We've always loved camping- i get a little freaked out in the tent because of feeling trapped but i put up with it for my bf's sake as i know how much he loves it however i dont think we'll be going camping again any time soon- we treated ourselfs to a nice new tent and went off for the weekend to wales- we ended up spending a whole day trying to get the tent up in the wind with no luck and the poles kept spliting. About 6 oclock we moved to a different area and said one last try- in which we manged to get the text up but we had the worst nights sleep ever. We had the most stunning view of the sea but even my bf said lets go home after that night- camping hasnt been metioned since alto the suggestion was made about buying a camper and my bf even offered to sale his car for it so he must mean business

I have to share this with you all... Mia was nominated for an award at school. They have Celebration Evening at the end of every year but this year is the first time someone from Year 1 was nominated. The way it works is the teacher nominates and explains why etc. and the head decides.

I didn't have my hopes too high, I thought it was very nice of Pat (Mia's teacher) to nominate Mia but didn't expect anything...

The Celebration Evening started at 7pm tonight. Mia didn't go, she went on a school trip to the British Library and then we had picnic with one of her friends so she was too tired. I really wanted to go but thought it was wiser to see my kids alive first thing in the morning so sent DH instead.

We're so proud of her, it was all due to her working hard and just enjoying school!!!

And proud parents you should be - well done Mia

 

[tennisfan]

Congrats Mia , you must all be proud of here

 

[Bolanette87]

Big congrats to Mia!!!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[scampbunny]

hmmmmmmmmm tents and camping..... not sumthin weve ventured into yet - we have the tent, just not brave enuf to try it - the thought of me, dh & 2 hyper kids in a small space does not appeal - spec if it rains!!

mind u - butlins to me is no better- id prefer the camping!! tried butlins last year (won it as a prize) and i wudnt have slept my worst enemy there.... just think holiday camps arent for me....

but disney............. well quite happily fit a holiday to there as much as i can (as long as dh can be persuaded!!)

and as for mia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how proud must u be??? its fab, hope uve got the cert all nicely framed - bless her. what a lil star

 

[tigger300686]

hmmmmmmmmm tents and camping..... not sumthin weve ventured into yet - we have the tent, just not brave enuf to try it - the thought of me, dh & 2 hyper kids in a small space does not appeal - spec if it rains!!

I love rainy weather, nothing nicer then being snuggled up listening the rain or going for a walk (wraped up of course)- but the sound of it on a tent drives me crazy - Camping is lovely when the weathers right,nice camp fire -out amongst nature- everyone has to try is once!!