Oxford is a long way from the sea, so when we have the chance on a Phab holiday, we love to go the the sea. Last year we went crabbing at Mudeford, but this time we went for a evening trip to get Fish and Chips from All Things Fish at Avon Beach (OSM).
After eating we enjoyed being at the seaside, looking for shells and pebbles, paddling, and watching the view of the Isle of Wight.
High Ropes at Avon Tyrrell
We greatly enjoyed the High Ropes last time, and looked forwarded to challenging ourselves again this year.
Archery at Avon Tyrrell
We brought out our inner Robin Hood in a couple of Archery sessions, split into two groups so everyone had plenty of opportunity to have a go.
Once again they had a gadget which allows archery, using a standard bow in a clamp, with a gate latch to release the bowstring.
Everyone who wanted to was able to have a go at archery.
This is just a selection of those who took part.
Evening meal and Campfire at Avon Tyrrell
After our swim some of us played games in the large chalet.
We had a choice of pasta carbonara or pasta with tomato sauce for our evening meal, with salad and home made coleslaw.
The drink in the wine glass is elderflower and pomegranate, rather than rosé!
After the meal we went down to the campfire site by the lake, and built a fire.
We toasted marshmallows, and sang campfire songs.
Swimming at Avon Tyrrell
After unpacking in the chalets, we went down to the pool, which we had booked for a swim. The pool was heated, the sun was shining, a lovely start to our holiday!
Oxford Phab at Avon Tyrrell in June 2017 – the beginning
When does a Phab holiday begin ? The official start was everyone assembling at 10:30 to board the Minibus, and three cars (we were joined by another one later with members who had to work during the day on Friday), and set off for the New Forest.
Before that plans had been made, food and other supplies bought, meals cooked and frozen and a host of other activities to make sure the holiday was a success.
The actual loading was very much the same as in 2015 and 2016, and the journey uneventful, but we were still pleased to arrive, have a picnic lunch in front of the house, and then, once our chalets were free, unload.
Club night with games
As well as our normal club night chatting, with quite a bit of administration this week as the money for our meal out at Oxy next week, and for Mama Mia in November needed to be paid.
We have several games in the Phab cupboard, and it is great to have so much space to be able to play them in the Hall at Wesley Memorial Church. We had the indoor tennis out for these pictures.
Oxford Fun Run 2017
We enjoyed doing the Fun Run in 2012 and 2013, and went back again to do it this year.
The Oxford Fun Run is organised each year by the Rotary Club of Oxford. They have run this event every year since 1989, and their activities have raised a lot of money for good causes over the years.
There was a slightly different route for wheelchair users, which avoided having to travel over grass, which can be difficult if the weather has been wet.
We gathered at the start.
We did not race round, but enjoyed the event, content to be overtaken by speedier runners, and walkers.
Reunited at the end.
We were very pleased to be awarded the Pathways Workshop Special Achievement Award.
It was presented by Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, who also met us when we did the Oxford Fun Run in 2012.
We did this to raise money for our club activities, particularly so we can keep our Minibus going and to subsidise some events which would not otherwise be affordable for all our our members.
Several of our members have fundraising pages at mydonate, which it sponsored by BT, so does not take any commission of your donation, and deals with Gift Aid etc. Donations via my link, above, or any of the following will all help.
Games Night at Banbury Phab
We had a great time at Banbury Phab, who had kindly invited us to their games evening. They had wide variety of games, from putting to seeing how many marbles you could spoon into an upside down flower pot in 30 seconds. Many of them had been made by their club leader, Barry, over the years, including his amazing switch game.
Bar skittles, also known as Devil among the tailors.
Getting marbles into a flowerpot is harder than you might think.
The marble maze requires patience and concentration – this shows a particularly tricky section of the maze.
They were also celebrating two birthdays, so we had birthday cake as well !
Thank you Banbury Phab !
Zumba – with Tango !
We always enjoy Zumba, and George Martini had us try some dances in a different style, rather like a cross between the Zumba we had been doing and the Wheelchair Dance we did in February.
Here we are in action !
As well as dances in lines there were dances in a circle – this one was taken while dancing, so the room as well as the dancers seems to be moving !
We even did a tango – but participating and filming a circle dance is possible, but a tango would be too tricky !
We all really enjoyed the session and look forward to more Zumba in future.
To fund out activities we will be taking part on the Oxford Fun Run on May 6th, so please consider sponsoring us.
