Share Village Holiday

Cathy Mercer Reports...

After what seemed like an age in planning, organising and fundraising, the 1st August and our Share Village holiday finally arrived.

144 ESCAPE members set off early on Friday morning heading for Exeter Airport and subsequently Belfast and Dublin Airports. The flying experience was for many a first, most were excited, some were wary and nervous!! Later that day, we arrived at Share Village, tired but excited, eagerly awaiting the adventure that we were about to embark.

And, boy, what an adventure. By day and on water we Windsurfed, Sailed, Canoed, Kayaked, Banana Skied, went Dinghy Sailing, had rides in a Speedboat and had a lake cruise on the Inish Cruiser. On land we did Archery and the Climbing Wall, made Modroc sculptures, painted tee-shirts, did some film making and took part in The Share Olympics. If we thought we could rest in the evenings then we were wrong, we held a Disco, watched Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, held a Karaoke Evening, had a Fuzz Ball competition and enjoyed an evening of Irish Music.

With an activity each morning and afternoon, everyone was kept very busy and we all had an absolute ball trying out things that most of us never thought possible.

Mealtimes added to the enjoyment of the holiday, especially for the adults, how lovely was it to be able to walk into the dining room and be served up a delicious two course meal without having to do any preparation.

This holiday has exceeded all of our expectations, Share staff were wonderful (most of them being volunteers) nothing was too much trouble and they went to all lengths to ensure that everyone had an enjoyable and unforgettable holiday.

Returning on the 8th August was 144 extremely exhausted ESCAPE members with a weeks worth of memories that will be very hard to beat. This really was a holiday of a lifetime and if we want to go back then the fundraising had better start now!!

If you would like to find out more about Share Village then take a look at their website, www.sharevillage.org