The historic Vendee

Want to learn more about the history of the Vendee and why it stands out in the French Revolution?

Read this great article in the Telegraph by Anthony Peregrine, entitled "Vengeance on the Vendee".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/6048204/France-Vengeance-on-the-Vendee.html#comments

Gone is the Staycation – introducing the Praycation!

Hi, its Andy here again, hijacking Steve's blog!

I’ve just spent four days working out at Le Pas Opton, the focus of my trip was to take photographs of our guests holidaying at the park, to use in next year’s publicity. The holiday park was almost full, so with weather in the 30s and days without a cloud in the sky, it was an ideal time to capture moments of our guests relaxing and enjoying the holiday they came for.

It’s not our policy to use models, or ‘stage’ shots, rather, we like to show real guests doing what real guests do – it’s the best way to tell the Spring Harvest Holidays story. This visit gave me a unique, almost fly-on-the-wall-documentary experience, as I got to observe, firsthand, the activities our guests take part in.

The swimming pool’s a must of course, reading, barbecuing, bike-riding, family games, all feature too, but many guests have packed their Faith and their Bibles and have come to set time apart to experience their relationship with God while on holiday. After all ‘holy days’ were originally just that, time set apart for God, to worship Him and celebrate His glory.

The spiritual programme at Le Pas Opton is entirely optional but the worship and Bible study times were packed out, with people praying, singing, worshipping together, enjoying their holiday together. And it wasn’t just the adults either. The children’s clubs were all well attended, with the time focused on Bible stories and songs, play-time and also prayer-time.

Beyond the programme, there’s so much more. Spending time in a community of like-minded people tells its own story. There’s an aura of trust and safety that surrounds the park and people, there are opportunities to meet new people, make new friends and share with them. People play together, they pray together, they have fellowship & most important, FUN together!

So, if you don’t fancy holidaying at home and want to be part of a Faithful community of holidaymakers, then forget the staycation and join the Praycation!

While the Boss is away, the mice will…

…fly!

Everyone needs a holiday, time spent away from the usual busyness of life. Time to relax and be restored. Even our Steve. So while he’s not here, it's a good opportunity to introduce myself. I'm Andy Heald, UK Operations Manager for Spring Harvest Holidays and I thought I'd share some details of a short break I took in France last week.

There are many different routes for getting to Le Pas Opton. You can drive and get the ferry, you can take the train or you can fly. One of the closest airports is at La Rochelle, further south on the Atlantic coast.

My journey began at Gatwick, taking the Easyjet flight (booked in advance around £130 return per person including luggage). In the height of the season, the airport is heaving, crammed with holidaymakers escaping their everyday lives. Travelling with three other adults, I arrived just as the baggage check-in was opening, and without queuing, we quickly dispensed with our suitcases. We’d planned to eat airside before flying and headed over to passport control, only to be directed to the end of the line – at the other side of the airport!

The volume of people and today’s stringent security checks, had born a line of people longer than the queue of screaming fans at a Take That gig. As well organised as it is - be prepared - we spent over an hour (longer than our flight time!) shuffling towards the x-ray machines. If you’re not used to this, let me share some words of advice. Put everything in your hand luggage, only carry your boarding pass, passport and any items of fluid under 100ml in a sealed clear plastic bag. Don’t wear a belt, wear slip on shoes & if you have a laptop – make it easily accessible so you can put it through the scanner separately. All this will make your passage easier.

At times we thought we’d never make it through with enough time to eat, but arriving airside was a refreshing experience – the benefit of so many people trapped landside means that there are fewer fighting for space at the varied shopping and eating outlets. With an hour before departure, we opted for a sit down hot snack at the Wetherspoons. For less than £10 a head for a pint and a steak sandwich, which was delivered in plenty of time to eat without risking indigestion, we were well set up for the next few hours of travel.

90 minutes after eating we were collecting our baggage and ready to pick up our hire car. As we had a few hundred miles to cover we’d opted for Easycar’s a-bit-bigger-than-the-bottom-of the-range-model (around £120.00 for 4 days including two drivers and full damage cover!). It’s a bit like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, as you never know quite what you’re going to get, so we were delighted when we were provided with a top-of-the-range Ford C-Max diesel – dual climate control, parking sensors front and rear; all bells and whistles (plus more than enough room for four adults and luggage and only €35 for over 500km!).

From here, Le Pas Opton is about 130km, approx 2 hours drive north, on good roads and the traffic in this part of France is very low volume, making the experience of driving on the right much easier than you would expect if its your first time. Now I must confess. I didn’t actually drive up to Le Pas Opton, as my destination was a family wedding 200km into central France, but I am assured that the journey is a simple one. However, if you don’t fancy making the drive yourself, then the Spring Harvest Holidays shuttlebus makes a pick up at certain times during each week of the season.

If you are one of those people who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, then I can recommend a few hours exploring this beautiful and historic city. The ancient port of La Rochelle has retained its medieval architecture and even when busy, doesn’t feel crowded. The tourist office is located next to the old harbour and for 20 cents you can get a guide book that offers a self-guided tour of the small town. If you have the time, walk back through history and clamber through the three towers built to defend the port, or take a short boat trip from the old harbour, letting a local guide tell the town’s story. There’s no shortage of places to eat and drink, with bars and restaurants surrounding the quayside, but do watch out for the tourist traps. Wander a little further away from the waters edge and some real gems are to be found – with three course menus from as little as €16 (still not as inexpensive as Le Pas Opton!). If its souvenirs you’re after, the pretty street markets open up in the early afternoon and do a busy trade until the early hours of the morning.

The wedding was beautiful and the break relaxing. With the weather at around 30C every day, beautiful blue skies, freshly caught seafood and great company, the only problem I encountered was having to return home! But when the Boss is away…

…the mice still have to work!