MudPud Camp

Saturday
We didn't have any trouble persuading Charlie out of bed today - the anticipation of camp was too much to bear! We set off at 11am and made good progress until we hit the M40/M25 interchange - lots of traffic jams for no apparent reasons. After a stop at the services on the M25 for lunch, a bit of football viewing (Bev only) and petrol we were back on the road and away.

Charlie was a star as usual for the entire journey, listening to Pure Dead Magic on his iPod and we eventually arrived just after 4pm.

After unpacking everything and being rather surprised at how easily the static swallowed all the stuff we had bought with us, we decided to try and find the camping field and see who else had arrived. Charlie played with some of the little ones in a self styled sand pit (dry mud pit).

As we were leaving the camping field to go and get some dinner Charlie fell over and cut his knee rather badly but wouldn't let either of us near him, so we struggled back up to the static listening to the screaming ab dabs!

We were so tired that we couldn't be bothered to go out for dinner so we just got some fish and chips on site. Charlie then persuaded us to go into Sparky's but he didn't like the noise level so we left pretty quickly and went back to the static and put Charlie to bed and we followed shortly.

Sunday
We all slept pretty well although it was *really* *really* hot all night even with the windows open, so we were all up by 8.30 for breakfast.

We set off for Lowestoft at 10am and had a mooch around for a bit, including looking for a new camera for Charlie and buying Bev some new clothes. We were back in the static at lunch time and after sandwiches and cake we all chilled out for a bit and read as it was so hot.

At 2.00 we set off for the beach where everyone was due to meet for sandcastle building. Charlie was really taken with Ady, as he always is with men who are willing to talk to him. Charlie had a fab time and was really thrilled to see Fran again and played with her for ages trying to build a huge wall around the sandcastles. He also played with Maddy a bit but got rather upset when the wall kept getting destroyed!
He also did a serious amount of paddling and enjoyed splashing with some of the others. Bev got serious ganged up on by some of the kids who were determined to drench her!




We walked back to the camping field with the puddles and Charlie disappeared into their tent with Fran. We had to break up their playing after a bit as it was time for dinner at Pizza Hut as we still hadn't done any shopping! A quick play at the playground and then we went into Sparky's. This was our first proper look at what went on there and Bev and I both taken aback at how adult some of the jokes were and the general madness of the whole Sparky thing. After only a few minutes I decided that I needed vodka (I never drink!)so I retreated to the bar and got much needed drinks.

Charlie sat down with Fran to watch the Sparky thing and they danced together too. At one point they were sat down swaying together to a slow song - very sweet. We were back in the static around 9.30 and did Charlie's scalp oil and let him read until 10pm.

Monday
Another really hot night meant I was awake and up by 8.30, those statics really hold the heat until it gets cold that is. After we'd all had breakfast and showers we wandered down to the camping field and spent some time chatting before going to tie-dye Charlie's t"shirt. Kath and her hubby did a fab job with this activity, I couldn't get any photos of it being done and Bev and I had to do Charlie's for him but we got a picture of the finished article. We were surprised how easy it was once it had been explained and Charlie chose his colours.

After we had finished we went back to the static and hung the t"shirt up to dry and then went out for lunch at Livingstone's which was absolutely yummy. We had planned to go back for dinner another night, but never quite made it.

It was still really hot when we got back to the static so we chilled out and read whilst Bev went for a walk. Charlie and I were too tired from the heat to walk anywhere! When she got back we wandered down to the camping field again and sat with the others still doing their tie dye so that Charlie could play with Fran (again!). After dinner Charlie went to the playground and then somehow persuaded (dragged?) us back to Sparky's.





Charlie had a fab time dancing the night away and somehow once the rest had gone I managed to get myself dragged into some parent and child dancing competition and won. My prize? A park resorts "winners" mug! Less said about that the better I think.

Tuesday
A later start for us all this morning - all that dancing the night before was exhausting.

This mornings activity was plaster of paris models and Charlie decided to make a mountain range scene. He really enjoyed this and playing with Fran, Maddy and Claudia afterwards. He made me a lovely bead bracelet too.







We went off to Morrisons and as well as food got Charlie boules, catch ball, disposable camera and paper and crayons - he chose wax for some reason. After lunch Charlie was really tired and lay down for a bit - almost dropping off several times. He read for a while and also did some drawing.

Then it was time for kite making which he really loved and after going back to the static he played with Abi and Becca.



I didn't feel up to the BBQ so we had dinner and after Charlie washed up we went for a walk.



There was a really bizarre moment when we saw a peacock in the front garden of a house which nearly caused a learner motorcyclist to crash.



Charlie had a huge paddy when we got back to the static and eventually fell asleep at 9.15 in our bed.




Wednesday
I woke up at 7.45 after a really bad nights sleep due to the heavy rain which sounded incredibly loud on the static roof. After I showered and dressed I woke Bev and Charlie up at 8.45 so we weren't late for Africa Alive. Charlie was very reluctant to get up.

After breakfast the static was suddenly surrounded by loads of ducks so Charlie gave them some bread.



We got to Africa Alive on time and duly handed our money over to Nic. We checked out the lions, rhino, hyenas otters and meerkats and listened to the otter and meerkat feeding talks.





At 11.15 it was time for our animal encounter. Charlie absolutely loved this and it certainly seemed like all the other children did too. They all got too meet and hold or stroke a giant african land snail, cockroach, 2 rats and a snake.



The lady doing the talk was really fab and we really enjoyed this. After lunch we saw more animals, funny goat like thingies, reject chimps, tortoises etc. Bev and Charlie tried to feed the goats but they kept eating it straight out of the machine.





Charlie bought a literacy pack from the Discovery Centre and a dolphin ornament and aqua clock in the gift shop. After we left Africa Alive we went into Lowestoft as I needed a new memory card for the camera.

After dinner it was back to Sparkys AGAIN for more dancing and bizare game playing before bed.

Thursday
I had a huge lie in today as I was exhausted after a difficult nights sleep, first it was freezing and then boiling - couldn't win! We lazed around reading until 11.00 ish and then went swimming. Alison was there with her youngest three and kindly lent Charlie one of their swimming rings. Charlie loved the pool, he hasn't been swimming for yonks, and we all rather liked how warm the baby pool was which we lounged in for a minute or so as Charlie was too young for the jacuzzi.

After lunch Charlie played with Abi, Becca and Lottie and managed to fall and scrap his other knee and elbow - he looks a right sight covered in plasters now. After dinner it was time to go down to the camping field for the cabaret. When we reached the puddles tent, Charlie popped his head round their tent opening and announced " hello muddle puddles" in a very broad yorkshire accent. Fran, Maddy and Amelie excitedly told me what they were planning on doing in the cabaret and we chatted about the Little Mermaid. Their faces when we told them we had met Ariel in Disney World were a picture!

The cabaret was quite impressive and there are some really talented MP'ers out there.







I tried hard to get photos of everyone performing but failed miserably due to not being close enough most of the time which meant with my lens good photos weren't always possible - next year I will have my zoom lens hopefully and will do better!

After the cabaret we headed back and Charlie played on the swings for a while with A,B and L before getting back to the static and falling asleep in an exhausted slump.

Friday
After waking after yet another terrible nights sleep due to the mattress and me feeling decidedly unwell due to an oncoming mirgraine we decided that we would go home today rather than tomorrow. So we packed and checked the static and were on our way by 11am. An awful journey meant we didn't get home until just after 5pm.