The weather had been much too hot for our originally planned event, of a walk round Farmoor Reservoir, so the friendly people at Hinksey Heights Golf Course accommodated our last minute request to meet there, and we were able to put in some food orders in advance.
We were able to chat, eat and drink in the shade, looking back on our recent trip to Avon Tyrrell, and letting members who had not had a chance to come hear all about it.
We also celebrated some recent birthdays with cakes and cup cakes !
The ever helpful staff at Avon Tyrrell allowed us to roll over our booking to 2021, and then again to 2022 – and our much anticipated return became a reality. Sadly some of the members who came with us in 2019 could not join us on this trip, however we were joined by some people who had never been on a Phab holiday before, and a fresh perspective on trip was refreshing. As one of them, Libby, said
What an awesome weekend. It was great to spend some quality time with a range of top folk, learning together, challenging each other to get outside our comfort zones but knowing that we all had each other’s backs. It was a fun weekend, packed with lots of different activities and things to do, but one where we had the space and time to chillax and rest.
This sums the weekend perfectly.
It could not have happened without a lot of hard work, particularly from Mary, our club leader, but also financial contributions from The Bruce Wake Trust and Wesley Memorial Church. Their contributions enabled the holiday to be affordable for all our members.
Before holiday started a lot of effort had gone into buying food etc, cookng, and packing
Essential supplies packed !
Activities
We had a very action packed weekend, with different activities happening in parallel, so on Friday afternoon some groups were doing Archery, and some Canoeing. On Saturday we all went to Poole, where one group went on a boat trip to Wareham, another to Brownsea Island and another explored Poole town. On Sunday were further opportunities for Archery, Canoeing, High Ropes and the Climbing Wall.
Archery
Archery
Canoeing
Tom in the hoist
The canoes were used in pairs, joined together with a plank securely roped to the boats, making them very stable.
High Ropes
Tricia climbing the tree
Pulling herself along the high wire
Terry walking the tight wire
Terry reaches the end
Sarah – very high up
Helen enjoying the High Ropes
The High Ropes allowed us to push our boundaries, as well as simply have fun !
Climbing Wall
Helen climbing
Chris at the top
Tom ready to start the ascent
Libby at the top
Tricia climbing
Hanging in there
Abseiling down
Triumphant return to earth
The climbing wall had been replaced since our last visit, now even higher !
Poole
Our day out in Poole was so filled with variety that it deserves its own article – here.
The adventure continues …
The holiday was so good that we have already started planning for a return in 2023, meanwhile, if anyone who went has memories or pictures suitable for sharing on a public web site, please contact me, or post a comment.
