Saturday 16th July

Once we’d checked into our rooms and unpacked, we had our welcome meeting where everyone got to meet properly. We enjoyed our first meal together and the evening entertainment was great; Jenni enjoyed a dance then joined Cyril for a game of bingo.

Sunday 17th July

After breakfast, we went for a walk on the Britannia Pier. Some of us had a go at winning a prize by throwing bean bags at tin cans. Mick and Nick showed their competitive side in a race on the dodgems while Jade and Roger went on the ghost train. We also saw the donkeys on the beach. 

Walking down Regents Road, we all enjoyed browsing in the Good Times music shop. Then it was off to lunch in a busy café and relaxing as we watched the shoppers go by. It was a lovely hot day today, so we really enjoyed cooling down with an ice-cream. Next it was off to the theatre, for the matinee of a musical theatre performance that gave us over 30 numbers from our favourite West End shows. To quote Jenni, “The show was brilliant!” Back at the hotel, we enjoyed a great Sunday roast for our evening meal. 

Monday 18th July

Today, we drove to the small station of Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads. We boarded the Bure Valley steam railway where the nine-mile line ran through the picturesque Bure Valley countryside. We had some time in Aylsham, to enjoy the café and gift shop. In the evening, after dinner, we joined in a game of bingo and took in the evening entertainment. Jenni said, “I really enjoyed the train journey - I bought a new train driver’s hat.”

Tuesday 19th July

We took ourselves down to the Wellington Pier for a fun game of tenpin bowling - everyone enjoyed the game, and Jenni and Nick both got strikes. We had our lunch there with a great view of the beach. We chose to walk back, stopping for ice cream along the way. In the evening, after dinner at the hotel, we enjoyed a game of bingo.

Wednesday 20th July

The group chose to have a shop ‘til you drop day! We went to the Pier and on to Regents Road, with people treating themselves to new clothes and some lovely gifts. We had lunch at one of the cafes on Regents Street, making the most of the breeze as we sat outside in the cool shade. We had to watch out for the greedy gulls – they had their eyes on our food! We hit the bingo game again after dinner, and the night’s entertainer, Carol Ann, was super. She took some requests and Nick danced to his favourite, Status Quo. 

Thursday 21st July

Roger went out with his nephew and family today and came back to tell us that he’d enjoyed the model village and a ride on the big wheel. They treated him to lots of lovely things! As for the rest of the group, we headed out for a walk on the Britannia Pier. Nick and Mick wanted to go on the dodgems again and had a great time racing each other around. Jenni had a go at winning a teddy by throwing the bean bags at the tin cans and this time she did so well she won a cute unicorn. We visited Merrivale Model Village which we thought was great with some beautiful flowers on display. We saw some miniature Banksy graffiti which was really cool, but our favourite was the dramatic scene of a thatched cottage on fire with a fire engine rescuing someone from the window. Nick liked feeding the koi carp - they were huge! We enjoyed lunch next door in the oldest tearoom in Great Yarmouth. We had a pleasant walk back to the hotel, along the promenade, then took some time to relax before dinner. Tonight’s entertainer, keyboard player Tommy, was hugely entertaining, telling jokes and singing songs. We loved the bingo tonight with Mick winning a line and Cyril winning the full house.

Friday 22nd July

Today, Mick, Nick and Cyril visited Caister Castle. Built in the 1400s, the Tower was still there, and the ruined walls looked very impressive. The castle’s car museum was superb, showing off the amazing private collection of the Hill family. Nick told us, " My favourite car was the Bentley" and Mick added, “I saw some cars that were made in the same year that I was born and one from the same year as my mum!” For lunch, everyone went to McDonald's. Jenni and Jade took a walk to the Venetian waterway. Dating back to the 1920s, it has been restored beautifully and the outdoor café served delicious food. After dinner tonight, we were entertained by Herbert the guitarist. No winners in the bingo tonight, but everyone had a great time playing. Cyril summed it up: “I’ve really enjoyed my week’s holiday!”