Half-Term Trip

As we enjoyed our February half-term visit to Center Parcs so much last year (click here if you want to read all about it), we decided to book up to go again this year.  This time, we went to De Huttenheugte (near Emmen, in the Netherlands). 

Our little chalet was lovely!  As our trip was our Valentine’s Day gift to each other, we decided to book a ‘VIP’ chalet.  This meant that we got lots of nice little extras, like a Jacuzzi, a sauna, and a lovely lakeside location.  

The weather was still VERY wintery while we were there.  The lake was frozen over, and we had a few flurries of snow.  As snow always does, it made the water and forests look even prettier and more magical!

Of course, we hired bikes for the week, and got a lot of use out of them.  Our sunset bike rides were my favourites!  

  

We also played a bit of table tennis, went for a few walks, visited the farm animals, fed the ducks, and did lots of swimming (well, floating around on the ‘lazy river’ and whizzing down water slides more than ACTUALLY swimming if I’m perfectly honest).  There were some wonderful, hot outdoor pools too.  I think my favourite bit of the holiday was swimming outside, while it was snowing! 

This Center Parcs trip didn’t involve much  other sportiness.  We spent the rest of the time drinking hot chocolate, eating pancakes (it was Pancake day while we were there), watching movies, and snuggling up in our chalet. 

Of course, I did a bit of crafting while we were there (more of that to come in another post).  I also took LOADS of photos.  I wanted to experiment a bit with the news lens Simon bought me for Christmas.  I lured in lots of little birdies with tasty snacks, and they made the perfect test-subjects!  I really like the photos I took of them.

We had a wonderful, relaxing week!  The only thing we didn’t like was having to leave!!!  

Why do holidays always whizz by so quickly???

Now we’re looking forward to our next one.....

Carly

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Valentine's Presents Part 2

As promised..... my 'Valentine’s Presents Part 2' post!  I'm afraid there's not much craftiness going on in this post.  But, if you look VERY closely, you might spot a little sign of craftiness in one of the photos.  Let me know if you spy it!  ;-)

Our ‘main’ Valentine’s gift - to each other - was a stay at a Center Parcs in the Netherlands.  So, that’s where we spent our half-term break.  It was LOOOOOVELY!!!

We hired a really nice chalet, with a sauna (which we needed, as it was sooooo chilly there), a Jacuzzi, a log fire, and a pretty view over a little frozen lake.  Everything we needed for a cosy and relaxing few days away!

This was our chalet.....

We got heaps of free bread rolls delivered to our chalet every morning.  As delicious as they were, we just couldn’t get through them all before they went stale. So, I HAD to feed the ducks with the leftovers.....

There was a little farm there.....

How cute is the baby donkey?!?!

We hired bikes and did lots of bike riding around the site.  Luckily for me (as my cycling skills are pretty-much on par with my cooking skills), there were no hills (we were in the Netherlands, after all).....

We went for a night-time bike ride one evening, for an adventure!  I felt like we were in E.T., cycling through the woods at night! 

We did lots of swimming and sliding down water slides (Center Parcs pools are always amazing), played crazy golf and pool, went for walks, ate lots, watched lots of DVDs, and (mostly) just cosied up in the chalet.  Bliss!!!

And, as an extra bonus, I spotted a couple of signs that spring is on its way.....

I'll be back soon, hopefully with a more craft-related post....

Carly

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