News - 11th May 2009 – Respite Activity Holiday 2009

Monday 11th May 09 was really a beautiful day to start the respite activity holiday with the sun out in all its glory and temperature in middle teens, that members from the Fishguard Cardiac Group were pick-up at various locations starting at Newport, Dinas, Fishguard, Letterston, then onto Honeyborough roundabout for Neyland Group members crossing the Cleddau Bridge finally to collect Pembroke Dock Cardiac Members. Secretary welcomed members onboard the coach and introduced Bob Hoy as their driver for Acorn Travel for the tour. Comfort stops at the M4 services Magor & Chievely were more than welcomed before proceeding down to Portsmouth to catch the Isle of Wight 4.30 pm ferry. Albeit the weather by now had changed to almost gale force winds for the crossing but thankfully our members had wonderful sea legs for the 40-minute crossing. We arrived at the Shanklin 4 star Hotel at 5.45 pm in time to unpack freshen up before our evening meal.

Members really enjoyed the evening entertainment “Solent City Sounds” which helped them to relax by reliving the decades, combining audio-visual extravaganza and were able to stretch their legs on the dance floor before retiring for the night.

Tuesday 12th May 09 after a relaxing morning browsing around Shanklin town started the programmed itinerary at 12.00 noon inviting members to visit Arreton Barns & Craft village then onto the Godshill Model village, which were both enjoyed by all. The evening entertainment “Small talk” a fantastic young, dynamic duo with a female vocalist sublime voice lending itself to songs from yesteryear leading up to the current chart hits was a complete success with group members which received great admiration and applause.

Wednesday 13th May 09 programmed as “Round the Island tour” stopping at Isle of Wight, Pearl factory, where the ladies treated themselves to some cultured pearls and other fine jewellery. We proceeded onto Yarmouth for lunch then onto the capital of the island, Newport for a short period. Our next stop was the 30 acres of 11 different varieties of vines at the working Winery “Rosemary Vineyard” which the men folk had all been looking forward to or indeed the free sampling of numerous wines, which did help to inebriated a few members. With two birthdays to celebrate the amusement & jollifications of the evening were second to none with tears of joy & happiness rolling down many a cheek with special party packs and two cakes for our celebrates, we managed to divide the cakes into many slices so that not only our own group members had a piece of cake but also other coach group members as well. All had a marvellous time.

Thursday 14th May 09 our first journey took us to the Isle of Wight Lavender, a 200 acres of unspoilt country side set in a Medieval Grange at Staplehurst which has been managed by the Abbott family since 1927. After a wonderful informative talk of the properties contained in Lavender members enjoyed a light lunch before purchasing many products. We continued our journey to Queen Victoria & Prince Albert’s country retreat “Osborne House” which was breath taking and we should have reserved more time for the exploration of this gem. Our evening entertainment was “Peppermint Ice” a great duo with Danny playing guitar & Trish’s strong vocal talents and their bounce back humour, which members really enjoyed and became involved with more dancing, helped the exercise mode and reduce the calories from the excellent 5 course gastronomic dinners each night.

Friday 15th May 09 a trip to Alum Bay and on route a group photograph was taken in strong blustery winds. Sadly the furnace to witness the glass making was temporary out of action and with the cold Westerly wind blowing our stop at Alum Bay was short lived before returning to the Hotel to start packing for our return journey back to Wales. The evening entertainment “ Neville” a male vocalist with a smooth classic tone sang hits from all ages and held the audience-spellbound attention till almost the small hours.

Saturday 16th May 09 An early breakfast for all as Bob & John checked and loaded the Luggage onto the coach for our return journey back to Wales with comfort stops at Chievely & Cardiff Gate. The Chairman of the Fishguard Cardiac Group, Mr Terry Grover gave words of gratitude to both the Driver & the secretary for a well-organised and thoughtful holiday, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed and helped in the therapeutic recovery of heart patients and indeed supported their Carers as well, suggesting this holiday will be the first for many more. Secretary John Palmer departed the tour at M4 Junction 46 Morriston Hospital, to visit his wife that had been taken into hospital for heart surgery. All the Group members wished Mary Palmer a speedy recovery back to better health.