New Year Holiday 2008 – Southport, Royal Clifton Hotel
by Jacqueline Smith

After a long journey from Chelmsford changing at London Victoria I eventually arrived at Southport at 7pm. I was very relieved to be met after all and taken to the hotel. I was introduced to Georgie and she took me to my room on the second floor and explained a lot of things to me as I have not been before as this was my first time with Options Holidays.

I had a welcoming brew of tea and then it was time for dinner.

I was very tired and did not know any one so I was very nervous.

I was glad to get to bed and slept well. Next morning Mary knocked to take me down to breakfast as it was my first morning. I met the rest of the group after breakfast. Then we went bowling. I found the frame very helpful as the balls are quite heavy for me. After our bowling we had lunch and then went back to the hotel. I watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in my room with a cup of tea while others swam or had a rest or played dominoes until it was time to come down for the New Year Gala Dinner.

They served pre dinner drinks and then a piper played as we went into dinner.

After dinner we had a singer and lots of people danced and sang . We saw the New year in in style and a lot of people had champagne but I don’t drink alcohol.

We had a lie in this morning and a late breakfast or brunch.

Some people went for a walk to the fun palace and others went in the bus to Formby. I stayed here with Georgie, George and Yvonne and Stuart and Ivor and played dominoes.

In the evening we had another gala dinner and then we had a disco which kept some people going till gone midnight but I went to bed earlier after I had spent some time singing to the music.

On Friday morning we spent some time over a leisurely breakfast before going out to Fun land where we spent some time playing on the slot machines. We had lunch in the café in Fun land and then walked along to the theatre.

We all went to see the Pantomime of Cinderella. It was fantastic. Every body thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

We walked back to the hotel and some people went for a rest while others went for a swim. When everyone had changed for dinner we went into the hotel restaurant for dinner. We had a game of bingo and spent the evening relaxing before going to bed.

It was a new experience for me. I would like to thank David and Geraint for meeting me and Georgie and Mary for their support and explaining things to me and nice to have met Wendy and Kirstine

Happy New Year