By Nicolas Baker and David Lloyd
My
name is Nicolas Baker I’ve just arrived at the Royal Clifton Health Spa
Hotel for my Festive Options Holiday. The hotel is very warm with a
friendly approach to welcome the holiday makers and is very nice.My support worker Emma dropped me off with Tony at 4pm. I was introduced to nine other party guests holidaying with Options and John, Georgie and David who are supporting us on this holiday.. Everyone is looking forward to getting into the Christmas spirit. I was taken to my bedroom which I am sharing with Tony and is alright. Nice view from the window of Southport. Room Key is 130 which I carry safely around my neck on a safety chain so I don’t loose it. Tea and Coffee is served when I want it. Oh and look at this hey a Christmas card and present for me left by Santa and his Elves. He must have dropped these off earlier as I didn’t spot him coming out before I went in.
We unpacked our suitcases and got changed for dinner which is served in the Windsor Suite, which is one of a few Royal Diner rooms for such an occasion at 7 30 pm. Beforehand we all met in the Chatsworth Lounge to meet the management team and had a cocktail to slowly chill before a nice meal which we are going to have next. yum yum. This was a four course candle lit meal which was then followed by entertainment by the Christmas host which is nice.
After Dinner I was full up as even after a four course meal , coffee and mince pies were being served while watching a local choir who performed lovely Christmas carols on the ballroom floor. This was nice bringing the Eve of Christmas to a close. Then around 11pm I went to bed to wait for Santa to come to eat his mince pie and take the carrots for the reindeers.
Christmas Day 25th December 2007
Wow its Christmas and its not snowing never mind better luck next year. ! I’m up awoken 7,30am to get ready for breakfast which is again in the Windsor Suite which I forgot to mention last night has nice decorations scattered and hanging from the ceilings which are holly wreathes and huge baubles which I touched when standing by the Christmas tree. This made me smile as the main Christmas tree is the biggest I’ve ever seen. Look at the photograph.!!
Traditional English breakfast was wonderful as it had everything needed for a nice tummy filler. After we had fun and games with our Christmas host in the Chatsworth lounge. We played bingo for an hour and tried to guess the weight of a huge Christmas cake. I was so close to winning the bingo I needed one number for a full house but it wasn’t my turn at winning this time. Had plenty cups of tea and coffee as this was served throughout the morning.
Ding Dong a ring of a bell. What’s this oohh dear its Christmas Lunch time already. Morning went so quick as the whole group had their tummies bursting with butterflies hoping to win a box of chocolates or a bottle of Bucks Fizz from the Bingo prizes.
Fred and Flossy where making us laugh with their teasing of each other lovely couple, been together over twenty years that’s so nice.
Ding Dong of a bell. What’s that ooh someone’s shouting Lunch is ready and yum the smell of turkey is bellowing through the doors of Windsor suite once again, Tummy rumbling already. Smells lovely and been told it’s a five course gala meal.
I chose prawn cocktail, carrot and coriander soup, turkey and all the trimmings, rich chocolate rule log finished with coffee mints and mince pies, now totally stuffed.
After dinner we all sat on huge sofas and oh what joy Santa has brought us all presents, huge sack full for us all, I was given nearly ten.
An announcement has just been made the queens message to the nation is starting in ten minutes we’ve all been told this is in the conservatory suite. We all watched this together and I find her to be well spoken and lovely.
Can’t believe it tea and Christmas cake is now being served in the lounge I’ve decided to give this one a miss I’m still full from the dinner. We are all flat out now and quite tired of eating. We’ve all decided to go for forty winks to refresh us all for tonight’s buffet and evening entertainment.
Boxing Day 26th December 2007
Awoke early to be in time for the best and tastiest traditional breakfast, . Excited this morning as the group is off see Aladdin at the Floral hall pantomime. Lisa Reilly from Emmerdale actress was playing Aladdins Mum and Sid little who was a cheerful genie and funny. Had good seats at the front and bought trinkets to take home, a programme booklet and a light up wizzzer which sparkled and flashed throughout the show. Quite relaxing to see.
After the show the coach took us back to the hotel in time for the favourite Gala dinner which was lovely and filled me up. Entertainment was being presented again but I was feeling tired and decided to chat to Tony in the Chatsworth Lounge over a large glass of diet cola.
Thursday 27th December 2007
The morning was busy as we were seeing off six partying guests home as they weren’t staying for the New Year event. We had a quiet pleasant afternoon relaxing and had a better chance to get to know the other three options holiday makers who where staying through to new year. Neville, Brain and Tony. We had a nice dinner and peaceful evening watching television and relaxing to be prepared for a long walk tomorrow.
Friday 28th December 2007
After yet another breakfast we all went to Churchtown a beautiful village with many buildings and quite historic. The main view of the afternoon was the museum which was nice and friendly. Had lunch at the eating house and went shopping at the gift shop bought some lovely gifts. Neville and Brian bought two really shinny watches, Tony spent a fortune on two very nice hats, music c.d.’s and books on trams. I bought picture books and some crayons to keep me busy when I’m not up to much.
The drive back to the hotel was very busy but gladly, beautiful to see the outside views of trams, old historic pubs, schools, and a lake. This would be beautiful the see and walk past on a hot sunny day in the summer.
The evening dinner was nice and I watched some of the entertainment.
Saturday 29th December 2007
Shopping today at Lord street for some bargain hunting. Neville and I bought two gold rings from a jewellery shop. As being the weekend the shops were quite busy so we all decided to go for lunch in the Wayfarers Shopping centre to miss the mid day rush.
We walked slowly back to the hotel rested for a couple of hours with my legs up to be refreshed for dinner this evening. Quite tasty and filled me up as usual.
Sunday 30th December 2007
Breakfast as usual, the morning was a moment of peace as we where expecting another fifteen holiday makers this afternoon. Preparations where being made for the upcoming of tomorrows lively New Years Party. We went for a walk along the promenade and rested in the evening after dinner.