The best holiday I have ever had. I usually hide my hand, here I don’t have to and it feels more than amazing
ROTB participant
On a Bank Holiday in May approximately 50 people made their way to The Gower.
Borfa House was the venue for a weekend full of fun activities, beautiful beach trips, shared meals, family games and spending time with friends old and new.
We were well fed and sampled a range of local produce and an enormous selection of snacks thanks to the legendary Potts family.
Saturday saw us waking up to glorious sunshine. We had enough free time on Saturday morning for children, young people and adults to re connect, make new friends. We marvelled at the games that were invented just by having time, space and minds full of curiosity and adventure. After breakfast we took a walk to the beach. Some braved the water, some played beach games and others inspected the jellyfish. After a quick lunch we headed off to The Gower Heritage Park. We listened to fairy tales, completed a scavenger hunt and met the animals. Then we used watercolours and screen printing to create some beautiful art work, Lino prints with local Gower artist, Katie Kneath. We finished our visit with a super exciting duck race. On our return to Borfa House we were treated to a fantastic three course meal that had been created using a Thermomix with Gower baker, Sally Cupcake. Sue Kent (Gardeners World) even popped in to say ‘hello’. The evening was full of games and spending quality time together.
The weekend gave us as parents an opportunity to connect and share experiences, hopes and fears in relation to our reach child. For our child being with other children of all ages with limb differences really builds her confidence and pride in being part of such a special community. It felt like a really special family holiday shared with strangers who became friends.
Parent
Sunday morning, opportunity to explore the area of outstanding natural beauty which rewarded us with a beautiful display of fantastic wild flowers, interesting insects, fabulous fungi and a range of rock pool treasures. When exploring the ruined salt house we heard tales of old Welsh smugglers and ship wreckers. Perhaps we even discovered the long searched for, mystery smugglers tunnel to Culver hole in the next bay. We took a walk to Port Eynon Point and Salthouse. We explored the rock pools along the way and our most exciting find was the cuttlefish eggs! After lunch we travelled to Caswell Bay where all the children had a surfing lesson with Surfability. It’s safe to say that this was the highlight of the trip. Riding the waves, so many wipeouts, salty hair, salty toes, salty kisses and new achievements for all. Surf lessons with Surfability’s talented coaches including Ben Clifford, Adaptive surf pioneer and elite coach.
Thankfully, on our return to base there was a chip supper waiting for us. Much fun was then had drawing the raffle and again another evening of games and giggles followed. Twister and Cards Against Humanity (Family Edition!) are now firm favourites for all.
A huge thank you to Mel, Sian and family for the enormous amounts of work that went into making this such a brilliant and memorable weekend. Also to Bethan for helping everything run smoothly throughout the weekend, I think it worked really well having an older reach helper as a role model for the young people.
Parent
Monday morning was breakfast, packing up and clearing out the hostel. There were big hugs (cwtches, in Welsh) and goodbyes as we all headed home following our fantastic weekend in The Gower with our hearts full of wonderful memories. Same again next year?!
Realised we don’t need phones to have a jolly good time. Georgia had great interaction with the younger members, she’s now going to train as a TA.
Parent
I can’t thank everyone involved in putting together this weekend enough. Everyone had an amazing time, it was just perfect. The only thing I didn’t like about it was having to leave at the end.
Parent
Brilliant venue for large groups with great communal areas indoor and out, private space for families in rooms when needed and great catering facilities. Also perfect location right next to beach. What a find!
Parent
The best holiday I have ever had. I usually hide my hand, here I don’t have to and it feels more than amazing
Child
Best comradery, no worse bits. Different age groups really work. The older ones are mentors
Child
Best was surfing/everything/twister/board games
Child
