A big focus of the evening was our forthcoming Holiday at Avon Tyrrell. There is always a lot of details to be arranged – accommodation in two cabins, transport arrangements, food etc as well as reminiscences about previous trips and looking forwards to what we hope to do this time.
One of our members, who had been planning on exceeding last year’s achievements, particularly on the high ropes, would not be joining us as he had a recent injury which would have made participation in some of the activities, or even the moving around the sometimes steep and bumpy paths around the woodland site too risky.
We had a potential new member, and it will be good to have an addition to the members who enjoy reading, and discussing books.
Last year’s holiday in Avon Tyrrell was so successful that as soon as we returned from it we booked again for this year, and members who had been on, or heard of the previous trip started looking forward to it.
Friday
We travelled in our minibus and 5 cars, which allowed some members a later departure to come after work, but the majority set off from various locations around Oxford before 11am, and arrived at Avon Tyrrell at lunchtime. We sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the packed lunches we had brought.
Some of our more mobile and adventurous members wolfed down their lunch and tackled the Tree Top Trail, making their way on wobbly ropes and other obstacles though the trees, ending up sliding down a zip wire.
After 3pm we moved into our cabins and unpacked, and awaited our new innovation. Last year we had seen a Tesco delivery to the campsite, and resolved to try this ourselves. In previous years we have had to shop on previous days, store all the food for the group, and pack and transport it in the minibus along with our luggage. This year it all arrived in a van, and and was swiftly moved into fridges, freezers and store cupboards.
Although we had just stocked up on food there is nothing like Fish and Chips eaten by the sea, so we placed an order at Mr Pinks and set off for Milford-on-Sea.
When we returned to Avon Tyrrell to chat and play games we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Saturday
Traditionally we like to start with a good cooked breakfast, with bacon (if wanted), eggs, sausages (with a vegetarian option), beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast etc. This set us up for an active day.
We divided into groups so that everyone who wanted to could do Climbing, High Ropes and Canoeing, all coming together in the middle of the day for a picnic lunch by the lake.
Climbing
Avon Tyrrell have a climbing wall tower offering different degrees of difficulty. They also have seat harnesses which can provide additional support for a wheelchair user, and most importantly, experienced instructors who know how to use the equipment to give people of all abilities a safe, yet personally challenging experience.
Getting kitted out for the climbing wall.
High Ropes
The High Ropes are really high
Martha on the Leap of FaithTom going for a swingTrisha going highThe wire tightrope is very high, and it wobbles!
Picnic lunch
Before we started the day’s activities we had made sandwiches, which we ate by the lake.
Despite having had a substantial breakfast we found an active morning in the open air had given everyone a good appetite.
Canoeing
At the lake they lash two canoes together for stability and to have a hoist for safe boarding.
The hoist in actionLooking after the wheelchair
Dinner time
All our various afternoon activities we were gathered Avon – the largest of the cabins we were staying in – for a meal of pasta carbonara or pasta with tomato and basil.
Campfire
After we had eaten Simon, our pyromaniac-in-chief, presided over a fire where we toasted marshmallows and sang campfire songs.
Sunday
Sunday morning breakfast was simpler, but still plentiful, with cereal, toast, yoghurt and fruit available and plenty of fruit juice, tea and coffee. We then washed up, stripped beds and packed our bags and the kitchen utensils and uneaten food so we were ready to depart after lunch
Archery
Archery is very popular with our members. This is due to the friendly and encouraging staff and the special brackets they have which hold a standard longbow and allow it to be fired by someone who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Homeward Bound
We had booked a roast dinner (with vegetarian option) at Avon Tyrrell house. This meant that we only had to load the minibus and other vehicles and we were ready to depart.
As it had been a very busy, but fun weekend we were all looking forward to getting home and glad that our worries were over…
Or were they?
An accident on the A34 just north of the M4 junction had closed it completely in the Northbound direction. The minibus has a Satnav, but it is not aware of traffic conditions, and only ‘knows’ that the closed A34 was the best way to Oxford. Chris, who was driving does not know the area around Newbury, and there was no one on the minibus who could act as a navigator. Fortunately I was a passenger in one of the cars behind, but mostly in sight of, the minibus, so was able to send directions, over a mobile phone. The roads we used were very minor, often only wide enough for a vehicle in one direction, and were filled with northbound traffic. Anyone who had intended to go in the other direction must have changed their minds, so we made slow but steady progress. The battery levels on my phone dropping worryingly and as a rear seat passenger I had no way to recharge it , so it was a huge relief when we finally emerged back on the the A34 north of the incident and were able to finally get everybody home.
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.
On the Saturday of our 2022 holiday at Avon Tyrrell we set off, bright and early, in our minibus and a car for Poole.
We were very fortunate to have been able to book for 12 of our group (the maximum they can take) to go for a trip on The Dolphin III a wheelchair accessible boat which operates out of Poole Harbour Marina. As there were 18 in our group this year we could not all fit, but 3 of us had Scouting or Guiding connections, so were keen to visit Brownsea Island, while the remaining 3 preferred to enjoy the delights of the Poole town waterfront area.
Hence we split naturally into three distinct groups, each having a different experience, but everybody enjoyed the day.
Boat trip to Wareham on the Dolphin.
Operated by volunteers from Friends of the Dolphin, we had been offered a trip to Wareham, where one of our members would land and pick up a Fish and Chip order phoned in from the boat.
The Dolphin
Crew volunteer showing Nick the route
The Dolphin group
Land party waving bye
Returning to dry land
Brownsea Island Expedition
We greatly enjoyed our trip to Brownsea Island, taking the 11am ferry, we landed shortly before 11:30, and noticed we could take a guided tour at 1pm. Pausing only for a refreshing coffee we set off to explore a little of the island. We investigated St Mary’s Church, met some friendly ducks, and saw a red squirrel ! (Brownsea Island is one of the few places in England where they can be seen).
St Mary’s Church
Scout and Guide flags
Friendly ducks
…want to come with us
Heath and forest
Red squirrel
We returned to the castle area to join the fascinating tour, which explained how the mixed history of the island had created its unique ecological profile, as well as the origins of the scouting connection (and we saw peacocks and another red squirrel). We then visited the site of the original Scout Camp, where they also sell Scout and Guide Souvenirs, and we were joined by a peacock and its chick. Moving briskly across the island we caught the 4pm return ferry, and rejoined the other groups.
Guided tour
Peacock and peachick
Peachick
Groups from everywhere have camped here.
Libby and Baden Powell
Site of 1908 scout camp
The Shore Explorers
Preferring the stability of dry land, and the myriad delights of Poole Quay, the shore party viewed the departures of the Dolphin and Brownsea groups, and then investigated the shops, museums and cafes of Poole. They ate Fish and Chips on Sea Music, a large sculpture by Anthony Caro, and enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of boats in the harbour and tourists and locals going about their business.
Farewell sailors
Dolphin departing
Ferry to Brownsea
Fish and Chips on Sea Music
Dolphin party return
Together again and home for tea.
Some of the re-united group had a little refreshment on the quay, and we updated each other about our adventures, before returning to the vehicles and to Avon Tyrrell.
There, hungry after all the fresh sea air, we enjoyed hotdogs (meat or vegetarian according to preference) and salad, and home grown courgettes, in the large communal space in our challet which allowed all our group to eat together.
Unfortunately the hoist at the boathouse was broken, so only a small group (who also had to be prepared to forego a Sunday lie-in) were able to go canoeing.
As we always find, the instructor was very good, and had everybody playing ‘tag’ – which he was much better at than everybody else !
A group, mostly of members who had not been able to have a go last year, had a chance to try the Zip Wire.
It was a thrilling experience !
While some members were on the Zip Wire, others were trying their hand at Archery, as we did last year.
Having worked up a good appetite we returned to the Lodge for home made pizza as our Pizza Night in June had gone so well.
Fueled by our lunch we loaded the minibus and cars and went home for a rest !
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 !
On Sunday morning the day started bright and early and, not quite so early, we made our way to the Climbing Wall and High Ropes.
Preparing to climb
The instructors are very good, and rope in anyone in the area not actually climbing to hold the rope, which means they know were everybody is, but also means there are fewer pictures.
Our little convoy set off for Poole, where we found somewhere to park near the Quay.
Half our group boarded the Dolphin III, an accessible boat operated by the Friends of the Dolphin. The other half explored Poole, including a stop for ice cream, and for some a visit to Poole Museum.
Both groups met up to eat our sandwiches on the Quay, and then the afternoon boat party set off for our nautical adventure !
We all enjoyed our trip.
They even laid on a Optimist Dingy race for us ! Some of us even had a chance to take the helm !
Finally we had to return to rejoin the other group.
We all dined on fish and chips
and had our traditional group photograph on the Quay
Can you spot the difference ?
Finally we returned to Avon Tyrrell to eat cake, chat and play games.
So many people (24) went this year that we used 5 cars. as well as our trusty minibus. Minibus loaded and almost ready to go.
The weather was lovely, so the journey was dreadful ! As well as the normal attraction of a day at the seaside the Bournemouth Air Festival was in progress. Since its formation in 2009 the festival claims to have entertained over nine-million people, and they were all on the roads between Oxford and Avon Tyrrell that day !
We arrived, only a little late for the Archery session we had booked, hastily ate our sandwiches and unleashed our inner toxopholite (shoot arrows in the general direction of the target).
After archery we unloaded our luggage, and our valiant kitchen team cooked the choices we had selected of spaghetti bolognaise, pasta carbonara, or a vegetarian pasta option.
Another keen group of forest foragers had been gathering wood and pine cones, and we had another campfire in the fire pit next to the cabin.
We also had cherry tomatoes and baby sweetcorn as a vegetarian option, but delicious for everybody.
