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Salvation at Center Parcs
Watery wonderland
I still class myself as a new Dad but I am slowly learning some valuable lessons; one being that when you find an activity that keeps them occupied for hours on end (while giving them loads of exercise and completely wearing them out), stick to it.
And, as we entered the fantastic swimming pool complex, I knew we were onto a winner. Every age group is catered for, from toddlers who want to splash around in the heated shallow pools and sand pits, to the big kids among us who can re-live our youths being thrown around by the wave machine and hurtling down the rapids and water slides.
The whole area is patrolled by qualified life guards and there are buoyancy jackets available (for free) for toddlers. There are also cafes and snack bars located within the comfortably-heated dome and there was evidence of families who had 'set up camp' for the day.
As for Kieran, it's safe to say he had found his nirvana.
Family-friendly nosh
After working up an appetite, we headed for dinner at The Grand Cafe, a continental bar and brasserie set in the heart of the forest. Clearly well-versed in catering for families with young children, our waiter made sure Kieran's fish pie was delivered swiftly (he doesn't do patience) while the 'grown-up' food was excellent.
Later in the week we enjoyed a meal at the creme de la creme of child-friendly eateries, Huckleberry's. Here, Kieran was able to flit between high chair and soft play area while the free balloon and sticky chocolate pudding made him feel like it was Christmas all over again.
We also took advantage of the takeaway service provided by the Italian restaurant, Strada, and, had our stay been longer, would have sampled the fare on offer at both the French and Indian restaurants on site.
Despite Kieran leaving us in no doubt as to where his heart now lay - his new favourite word having changed from 'tree!' to 'splash!' - we were keen to sample as much of Center Parcs as we could and so took him to an organised 'Tumble Time' session, complete with soft play apparatus, bouncy balls, rubber rings and a farewell nursery rhyme singalong.
If I have one slight criticism it would be that the session was only half-an-hour long, and Kieran was just about warming up when it was time to pack everything away.
Louise was also able to fit in another treatment - a coconut oil wrap - while I enjoyed my first ever spa session. Unlike Lou, who would happily spend the whole day at a spa given the chance, I have never been that taken with the idea. But, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how refreshed I felt afterwards.
As a sporty type I wouldn't have minded a game of badminton, squash or tennis, not to mention a few frames of snooker - all of which are available in the sports centre - but Kieran's obsession with the swimming pool put paid to those ideas!
Not that I was complaining. By the end of the week it was very much a case of mission accomplished, and the conversation on the journey home was all about what we'd do on our next visit.
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