Author: john

Avon Tyrrell 2019 – High Ropes and Climbing Wall

The Climbing Wall and the High Ropes are adjacent, so although we were split into two groups, we could try different activities, and watch how our friends were getting on.


  • Chris starts up the log
  • Reaches the upper log
  • and traverses the upper log
  • Paul starting to walk up the log
  • He has reached the high log and started to traverse it
  • At the top of the tower
  • Abseiling down
  • Tom ready to go up
  • Going for a swing !
  • Climbing
  • At the top
  • Triumph !
  • The Leap of Faith is vrey high and wobbly
  • A great achievement to make it to the top
Picnic by the lake

After our picnic we relaxed and chatted in the lodges for a while, and then set off for the seaside !

  • Fish and Chips by the shore
  • View of the sea
  • Chance to paddle and see the Isle of Wight

Avon Tyrrell 2019 – Friday – Wildlife Park and Campfire

We stopped at The New Forest Wildlife Park to eat the packed lunches which members had brought with them, and then to see the wildlife.


The wolves were not bothered by our presence

The lynx is normally hard to see, but we were there for feeding time, so had a really good view, and heard an interesting talk.

There was plenty to see, they have deer roaming freely, and bison, otters, pine martens …

Finally it was time to return to our minibus and cars and continue to Avon Tyrrell, where we unpacked –

And made our, now traditional, campfire in the firepit beside the lodge.


After sunset we toasted marshmallows and sat around and chatted. A great start to our holiday !

Zumba for Cancer Charities

A great bunch of people, including Oxford Phab, got together at the Christian Life Centre on Cowley Road to have a fun evening of Zumba and raise money for local cancer charities.

Wendy getting into the swing of it

We had not, as a club, learned a routine this time, but Kelly and Trish had been practicing with a Zumba group, and joined in their group’s routine.


A great evening, and many thanks to George Martini and all the Zumba instructors for making us feel welcome.

Cookery Night

Club nights which involve food are always popular, and when we cook it ourselves, that is even better ! A team in the kitchen made pizza dough, and prepared toppings.


Members created their own individual pizzas, which were ready to be eaten a short while later.

The results, fresh out of the oven, were delicious !

Beetle Drive

Oxford Phab aims to provide activities for a wide range of abilities, and often games are played in a spirit of co-operation. Beetle can bring out the less patient side in everybody, which is why there is no record from tonight of anybody actually playing Beetle. Once games started there were no spare moments for photography. In the Phab spirit we felt the anguish of those throwing every number except six, while others on the table were trying to complete a Beetle, and kept throwing sixes which were useless to them.


Our final winner generously shared out the prize chocolates with the whole club.

Party and Disco with DJ Lee

Robin has been coming to Phab for many years, and we value his contributions in the form of the quizzes he arranges, the cups of tea he makes and his concerns for the smooth running of the club.

We also love a party, and although we can not dedicate a club night to every birthday, or we would never do anything else, Robin had just had a significant birthday, and Kelly’s brother Lee was available to do a disco for us.


We prepared food

Kathryn made coffee and chocolate cakes, Kelly’s mum make fairy cakes, various members brought contributions
There was enough food to go back for a second round
  • Phab members discoing in the dark
Simon, posing as DJ !

We are grateful for the support of Robin’s parents, who joined us for the evening, to Lee for the disco, and to all the members who contributed both food and to the general party atmosphere.

Boccia

As the Christian Aid Market was setting up in the John Wesley Room, we set up the Hall, both for those who wanted to sit and chat, and an area to play Boccia. This gave the Boccia players an appreciative audience.

It was great to have Hank and Joy join us for a game of Boccia. We all love to try new things and Boccia was new to them.

Tom refereed, and the games were often exciting, sometimes the jack would be hit and moved at the last minute, completely changing the state of play.

Club Night with Tennis

We followed our previous Club Night with Indoor Tennis in January with another tennis session, giving members an opportunity to have a bit of exercise.


This session was more co-operative then competitive with a focus on trying to have longer rallies across the net. Impressively, given how high the ceiling is, the ball managed to be bounced off the sound deadening blocks a few times, which returned it in random directions. Luckily we play with a soft foam ball, which is safer for players, spectators and fitments.