pushka Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Hello Campers!!!!Guess who's just been to Pontin's!!!! Yes, you guessed it....your favourite poster...Pushka!!!! and the kids of course...We had a great week at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands, in Wales...UK.The weather was fantastic....we've all got burns to prove it, lol The entertainment was great, most of the time....entertainment for tots to teens was superb all the time...the competitions have altered as the UK has become more PC...no longer do we have such contests as 'Dads and Lads' (now it's called Top Team) and Miss Pontin's and Mini Miss Pontin's. The talent competition is still around tho, and Pool and Snooker Tournements...The Bluecoats were friendly and the staff overall, very approachable.Food delicious and lots of it too!! (Pontin's Pounds help with the cost of meals, if you can get some...do)Chalet...we only went for the 'budget' priced ones, so no different from when I went as a kid...very basic but warm and comfortable.Out and About...lots of beautiful countryside around the camp, minutes from the beach and the sand dunes, and lots to see at it's neighbour...Rhyl, including the funfair that will be demolished by next year...grrrr to Asda and fancy apartments!!!! I'd love to spend a 'retro week' at Pontin's or Butlins, to relive the old times when all you could get was full board, and each family was given a table no. and the Bluecoats and Redcoats used to entertain the campers at set dining times, and all the campers got a party hat on their last evening....and all the kids used to march out of the ballroom and other entertainment areas, and were left in the care of the camp's own chalet baby patrollers, who used to patrol the chalets to make sure no babies were crying....nowadays we don't do that sort of thing, which is a good thing in view of all the kidnappings that happen now.Here's a link to the Butlin's memories website...it features some of the Pontin's sites too...and is really interesting for those people who want a little history of British Holiday Camps, and another link to Pontin's in the present day....hope you enjoy.http://www.bygonebutlins.com/http://www.butlinsmemories.com/http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=X0PXR8D8Wh0http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1770http://www.pontinshistory.co.uk/http://www.pontins.com/centres/prestatynsands/index.phpI will print some pictures once my link to the pc is working... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elphaba Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I missed you Pushka! I'm very glad to see you back. I also have something to look forward to for the next hour, so thanks for all the links! Love, Elphaba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 I missed you Pushka - did you get my email?? Glad you are back, glad you had a good holiday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushka Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Awww...thanks for replying Elphie and Iggy...I have 2 fans at least, lol. I did have a great time down in Wales, and would go back tomorrow if I had the chance... Iggy, I didn't get your email I'm afraid! Hope you enjoyed the many links, lol! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr T Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 WB Push :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonKairos Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Dang, sounds like you had yourself a right jolly time. I drove through Wales once on a family vacation (I was like 10 though). I'm glad you got a break. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrawberryFields Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 I am jealous. WB Pushka. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Were you gone? hahah j/k I am jealous over your trip. I would love the opportunity to visit England and Wales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushka Posted August 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 Thanks for the welcomes everyone...we all deserve a good break occasionally, and sometimes the more traditional the holiday the better..nostalgia fills me with delight :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanstress70 Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Sounds like fun, Push. I'm all about retro stuff lately. I don't have a long time to go through your links, but I did look briefly. Would you mind explaining Pontins in a nutshell? Looks like a beach resort that used to be popular and people are getting into it again trying to recapture their childhood? Glad you had a good time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushka Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Both Pontin's and Butlin's were chains of Holiday Camps, designed for families around the time of the 2nd WW. During the war some of the older camps were used to house regiments of armies. Following the war, the chain of camps continued to expand. They offered families holidays 'full board', which meant that all meals were provided, accommodation in chalets, and a full programme of free entertainment, competitions and games. They also provided a nursery for younger children, and a 'baby listening' service so that the adults could enjoy later evenings of entertainment, satisfied that somebody was listening out to see if any child needed their parents to return to the chalet. The groups are both very successful and a number of other holiday camps, in a similar vein, have grown over the years...the main one being Haven which is a sister company of Butlins. Over the years the programmes of entertainment, child care and competitions have altered according to the changing needs of families. The camps are traditionally close to beaches, across the UK, making them competitive with Bed and Breakfast accommodation available in seaside resorts. Over the last few years, the camps have started to hold themed weekend breaks, depending on the interests of visitors...they have 70's music weekends, sport weekends etc. Although the camps are still interesting in their new form, I do miss some of the old atmosphere of everybody dining together and the feelings of camaraderie that this forged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 WB Michelle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushka Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Thanks Jason... Hey! Don't be making too many posts around here...I'm trying to knock you off that 5 spot!! LOL...give me a chance, please... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yediyd Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Sounds like you had an awsome time!!! I am happy for you...and I missed you up here, WB!!! (you heathen, you!) (wink!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pushka Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Lol, Yediyd I missed you all too!! Funnily enough tho, there wasn't a PC in sight on this holiday, so although I missed chatting on this site, I didn't really miss the computer as much as I used to do...evidence that my PC addiction is wearing off perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yediyd Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Lol, Yediyd I missed you all too!!Funnily enough tho, there wasn't a PC in sight on this holiday, so although I missed chatting on this site, I didn't really miss the computer as much as I used to do...evidence that my PC addiction is wearing off perhaps? I slowed down a little with my posting, too...no vacation, just got some awesome new books to read from another "heathen" friend of mine!!! ( Elphaba sent me some awesome new books) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr T Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Cool avatar Pammy. If one image is too big, how the heck is it that you have something that moves and that is not too big? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanstress70 Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 That sounds like a great vacation, Push! I'd like to do the 70's or 80's themed vacation. Of course our child would be like, "What tha...?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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