Norfolk Camping Holiday - Breydon Water Day 1

Our first holiday of 2016 was a camping trip to Park Resorts Breydon Waters in Norfolk. This was also our first holiday using the new 8 berth Oasis 8 tent that we bought earlier in the year. Due to the size of the tent and the amount of stuff we needed to pack for camping with 3 kids, we ended up taking two cars. So Tina drove the Kia with Holly in the passenger seat and the boys travelled with me in a heavily loaded S-Max. The 2 hour journey was pretty straight forward and seemed to whizz by in no time at all.

 

Once we got there it was all hands on deck to try and get the tent set-up in some pretty windy conditions whilst also keeping Holly entertained and out of trouble. For our first full attempt at getting everything set-up I think we did very well and within 2 hours the tent was up, all the accessories done and everything unpacked.

 

Our first day was just spent on-site getting used to the camp site and exploring all the facilities. The kiddies all enjoyed a little play in the park and then they convinced me to take them swimming in the outdoor pool!!!! Despite the pool being heated it was absolutely freezing in their due to the wind and cold weather. Holly lasted about 10 mins before she was shivering, the boys lasted a little longer as they were having fun on the water slide.

 

To finish our first day we had a nice dinner in the on-site restaurant and then played some games in the arcades. This was to be the start of a week long addiction for Holly on the 2p machines!!! For Brandon it was Marion Kart all week.

 

The first night in the Oasis 8 couldn't have been any worse. The cold windy weather developed into probably the worst thunderstorm I can remember, and it went on and on and on, all through the night. I think that me and Tina managed about 3 hours sleep due to worrying about if the tent was going to hold up in the winds and more importantly if the kids were going to be OK. It seemed like every hour or so I was outside going around the tent checking all the guide ropes were all still intact and doing their job.

 

I think all the kids woke up at some stage through the night but Brandon was the funniest. He woke at about 3am wanting to go to the toilet. Just as he told be that a bolt of lightning lit up the tent and suddenly he had a change of hear. He said to me, "I'm scared, I'm not going out in that, I'll hold it", then off he went back to bed.

 

The tent performed absolutely outstanding in the worst weather imaginable. So despite us all feeling groggy and tired in the morning, we now had confidence in our accommodation for the week ahead as we knew the weather conditions couldn't possibly get any worse. So whilst it was a baptism of fire for our first night in the tent, in some respects it was the perfect start as it was all downhill from here on in. A lot of other campers took the opposite approach and gave up after such a bad night and subsequently couldn't get their tents down and get home quick enough.

 

In no time at all we had the Oasis 8 pitched up despite the windy conditions.

Joshua and Brandon did a great job helping out where they could and also looking after their little Sis.

Te boys exploring the on-site park at Breydon Waters.

The obligatory giant deck chair picture that you have to take at all these holiday resorts.

Brandon showing could balance on a see-saw.

All 3 kids enjoying the park and not letting the weather ruin the first day of their holidays.

Inside our tent and the kids enjoy our new inflatable sofa which doubled as mine and Tina's bed.

Holly enjoyed the outdoor pool for about 10 mins, but then it just got too cold. Tina wimped out completely leaving me to take all 3 kids.

Me, Brandon and Holly in the pool.

Brandon coming down the water slide.

Brandon managed about 4 slides before he realised it was freezing every time you had to get out of the water and run up the ladders to get to the top.

Joshua getting brave and coming down the water slide on his belly.

Joshua doesn't feel the cold as much as the rest of us and spent a bit longer in the pool and on the slides.

Evening fun in the arcades and Holly was doing donuts on Mario Kart.

Holly checking out the motorcycle arcade game.

Sparkles selfie station with Brandon, Holly and Josh.

After a very tiring first day we were all sooo tired. Holly went to sleep like such a good girl in her new penguin sleep bag/bed. Could this be a sign she is now ready to ditch the cot and have a big girls bed?