Our last day and home safe!

The sun was still shining, this is our third year of Phab holidays with no rain.

Last night we enjoyed a great disco and some fabulous performances in 'Phab's got talent' show, very late night for all.

This morning it was time to say goodbye to Calvert and head of home on our lovely coach.

We were well into our journey, with the volunteers sleeping it was time for the kids first film, Toy Story 3.

We then stopped at Bristol for lunch. We made good progress on the journey back and before we knew it we were on the M25. Some rather tired Phabbers, but also a few still very lively. So for those awake it was time to watch Hairspray for a good Phab singalong.

Then it was onto the last leg of our journey and then home to Epsom.

A great big thanks to all the leaders and young volunteers and the kids for a great holiday. Watch out for our thoughts on the holiday coming soon.

Day Three - Bring on the fun!

"I did rock climbing and it was really fun because I got right to the top of the climbing wall", blog from Rhea.

Today started with lots of certificates being awarded for daring, entertaining and helping. Everyone works hard to get those Arthurs, Carries & Edgars....oh yes, and then there's the Rodneys!?

Pictures speak a thousand words, so here are a few pictures....and words:
Some intrepid adventurers.









Then a leisurely paddle around the lake watching the jumping fish. Imagine the tranquility, except of course for the famous "Singing Phabbers"!!

"The L'oreal Moments! We had to dunk our heads into the Reservoir, whilst counting to a certain number to get ready to your head really fast above the water when you would be saying when you get above the water "Because your worth it!.", blog from Meghan.

Plenty more team work.









"Today we did crate stacking. Me and Liz got to 15 in 10 minutes. My favourite bit was when it fell.", blog from Sophie.












If you go down to the woods today.









"Today I did archery, it was good fun, I didn't get a gold, but I got all the other colours", blog from Charlie :)









Oh yes.....and then there's the unusual possibility today of a rare double Rodney (yes indeed a double Rodney!!)!? Always ensure you wear more than a towel if you are going to lock yourself out of your room...ooh Phil.












Thanks to all todays bloggers.

A Sunny Second Day Full of Adventure

After a good nights sleep, all awoke, ready to embark on our first Phab holiday adventure!

Wow, what a day! All had great fun in the lovely Exmoor sunshine - abseiling, climbing, canoeing, archery and building forest shelters.

Then it was time to cool down with a Swim. Just to cram even more into the day there was a quiz and an egg drop.

Hhmm, I wonder if there will be any eggs tomorrow of the chocolate variety??......please Easter Bunny??

At the end of the day there were many tired but happy faces yet again.

Happy Birthday to Phil, what better way to spend your 20th birthday!! Thanks to you and all the other young volunteers for your help.

Nite nite till the morning.

A fantastic first day!

The journey started early and we had an easy coach trip down to Devon, lovely sunny weather.









Everyone enjoyed Exmoor Zoo The 5 teams were given names : meerkats, wallabies, gibbons, lemurs and penguins.









Some people got a chance to hold a snake.









The groups were challenged to take a photo of their animal at the zoo and they all succeeded. Here are the Wallabies lookie likeys!?








A short journey round the narrow lanes and we arrived at Calvert. Everyone found their rooms then it was into the swimming pool .

After tea there were games in the sports hall, fun on the playground and even a sensory room. Happy but tired faces all round and many asked to go to bed and there were no problems getting to sleep.

Looking forward to another busy day tomorrow.

Calvert 2011

Getting ready for this year's fantastic Phab holiday at the Calvert trust on Exmoor.

Our Final Holiday Blog

Each day our blog has been written by different young people. This is what a few of them had to say on the coach back to Epsom:

We’re on our way home from a phabtastic holiday (: filled with new challenges, teamwork and a whole lot of fun. The Phab holiday was brilliant and I would definitely recommend it to other people. We did so many different activities which helped us get to know our team mates. The Phab holiday was cool and full of surprises and fun, fun and even more FUN!

Another young person wrote: This was my first Phab holiday which I really enjoyed. We had fab weather, good company and great activities which stretched us all. Now we are on our way home for a well earned rest! It was brilliant doing the canoeing then I jumped into the water and it was very freezing then we had an ice cream then we came back. This Phab Holiday is one of the best Phab holidays ever. I can’t wait to get on the coach for the next Phab holiday to Calvert Trust!!!!! It has been a Phab (fab) trip to Bendrigg.

Just before the batteries on my laptop ran out (a bit like my energy on the coach, at the end of a great trip!), another young person wrote this about their experience: The Phab holiday was the best , it is my second time. I really enjoyed it. I wish I could say my favourite activity but they were all great. The camp fire was great, all my team mates were fantastic. Next year we are going to CaIvert Trust but I have no idea how they can top this Phab holiday. We are now on our way home, I am sad about leaving.

So that’s it for our final blog entry for our Bendrigg Holiday of 2010. As our T-shirts colourfully depicted, in 20 Years of Epsom Phab Holidays, this was actually our 10^th trip to Bendrigg, so 2010 worked out very well indeed! As our very own Hogwart ends, the magical memories & friendships will continue at club on Friday nights and wherever our next adventures take us.

Thanks to the brilliant staff at Bendrigg, Steve our driver from Eastways Coaches, our own leaders and in particular our young leader team for getting so many of the group through their Youth Achievement Awards. But finally the biggest thank you goes to all the children who came to fill the holiday with energy, friendship and FUN!

Till next time……………

Its our last day

It’s been a really exciting day, filled with fun which included canoeing, kayaking, climbing, abseiling, zip-wiring, bendy potting and bendy beaming. The night ended with the entertaining sketches from kids, adults and helpers, which we have been practising for the last 2 nights. Afterwards we all enjoyed a fun disco in the hall where we all danced together to our favourite tunes.

See you tomorrow for our final blog of the trip.

Love from
Sara, Ed, Anna, Ellen and Helena

x x x x x