Although this title makes no sense unless you’ve been watching very closely indeed…..oh you haven’t, well I forgive you anyway. Our third visit to Center Parcs (Elveden Forest) was a relatively last minute affair, prompted by the news that our friends had booked to go and that, following a frankly horrible series of medical setbacks, it looked as though they would actually be able to make it.
So, after checking that there was still availability we booked the waterfront apartment and off we jolly well went. Although this visit was primarily about meeting up with friends, joining them on their deserved break and taking a very big back seat on what we might do whilst there, it is good to report that however reticent the visitors may have been about the trip, they seemed to genuinely enjoy their time away. Don’t underestimate the effort to make the journey though, to the outsider it feels it has to be organised like a military operation – so kudos to the ‘commander in chief‘ 🎖️
We assured them we would leave the meal arrangements to them so they could do as much or as little as they wanted; but, despite the possibility they may be a little tired to eat out, it is pleasing to note that we ate out on every one of the four nights we were there – and so, we sampled in order, Bella Italia, Huck’s American Bar And Grill, Las Iguanas and Café Rouge. It is at this point I would normally regale the esteemed reader with my considered opinion about our particular favourite of the meals on offer, but as on this occasion we all had our own singular preference, I have decided to keep my counsel (but in fairness a shout out for all the repasts).
Alcohol was imbibed, backgammon was played (but not by me this time, I was too ‘knackered‘), the Forester’s Inn was (re)visited and we all managed to squeeze in a couple of games of tenpin bowling – although I sat out the second, as the early signs of bowler’s bum was rearing its literal backside!!
All those old misgivings that I had about Center Parcs are still occupying some unmapped area of my brain (probably the dead part), but it has to be said that the absence of school age children is clearly a big boost and Mrs. No Name was indeed heard to remark that, and I quote, ‘I Was Warming To It‘. However, the real and primary joy of the trip was to catch up with old friends after far too long a gap – Heythrop Park the last occasion, which it turns out was circa sixteen months ago. Here’s to a much shorter gap the next time.
We also played a couple of what I still pefer to call, even in these linguistically challenging times, “Crazy Golf“, but gallantry forbids me from mentioning the winner 😉😜.
Finally, on our way home, we had a lunch time stop over at the much lauded Elveden Inn, which I am pleased to report did indeed serve lovely food, was incredibly busy but still coped admirably and is full of lovely staff. There’s a reason it’s so popular and despite the break in the journey we still didn’t have to spare the horses!