SUMMER VISIT 2007

 By Marion Stoddart

A little apprehensive at the prospect of hosting children from CHILDREN IN TROUBLE, I neednπt have been. This was one of the groupπs best years.
 The children, all in remission from cancer, taught me a lesson in courage. Together with Olga, the interpreter and Anna their doctor we went straight from the airport to Lllansannan, North Wales for our first week. The children settled in straight away. Once again Rhyl sun centre and Towyn fair proved firm favourites, Igor showed his approval by vomiting down Peterπs leg whilst on a fast ride, at which all laughed except Peter, Igor went on to have a great day, but the real winner was catching crabs from Conway harbour followed by a healthy meal of fish and chips which approval from all.

From Llansannan  the children went to their host families in Liverpool  for the next three weeks , the day after their arrival all enjoyed a welcome party at Kevins  and due to his excellent cuisine weightwatchers went out of the window. We enjoyed a full programme of events during their stay and mostly the weather held out.

   New and old host families worked well together and the children were treated like royalty wherever we visited.

   We watched a ≥pre season friendly≤ from the directorπs box at Everton and the children were given shirts.
   The Merseyside Fire Brigade treated us all to a day at the training school, where we cut the roof of a car and learnt how to put a fire out, a three course lunch was enjoyed by all, the children also received  gifts to take home.

   Food did seem to play a major role during our holiday as we dined out on a regular basis, usually free of charge.

The children swam and bowled, we ferried across the Mersey. We meandered the canal on a barge, Vika fed every duck in sight, and we visited Blackpool, Chester Zoo, too many places to mention.

   Then Kenπs farewell party!!  Linda summed it up beautifully with ≥Only in Liverpool;≤ as she photographed our ≥sober≤ men dressed in costume dancing to YMCA, quickly followed by our ≥Morris Dancers≤ complete with bells and ribbons.

   The holiday can be summed up by a postcard sent home to Belarus, translated it read ≥I love and miss you very much, but I donπt want to go home.