Frankrijk in de ban van onderbroekenplaag: mogelijk link met bouw Center Parcs park

Al twee weken lang wordt het Franse dorpje Poligny geteisterd door ondergoed. Sinds 5 februari worden 's nachts in het dorpje steeds waslijnen vol strings, slipjes en onderbroeken opgehangen. Niemand weet echter waarom het ondergoed in het stadje wordt uitgestald.

Inmiddels is heel Frankrijk in de ban van de onderbroeken. Het hele land praat erover.

Waarschijnlijk is de komst van een vakantiepark van Center Parcs de oorzaak. Er gaan namelijk geruchten rond dat er gesjoemeld is met de vergunning die het bedrijf kreeg. Daarom zou de dader de vuile was van de gemeente buiten hangen. Dat wordt evenwel ontkend door het gemeentebestuur.

Bron: Telegraaf, Zita 

Activities for little ones

From little adventurers to little daredevils and everything in between, we’ve got activities to suit your little ones.

Teddy Bears Picnic

For who: 2-5 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Every bear that ever there was is gathering here! Bring your teddy and join in with songs and stories then follow the teddy trail to our Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

Street Karts

For who: 4 years +

Where: Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Woburn Forest and Whinfell Forest

What’s it all about: Cruise with confidence on our super-cool Street Karts. In this fun session, our friendly instructor will be on hand to give you a quick introduction on how to ride the Karts and manoeuvre around tight corners. Street Karts are very easy to ride and the latest in karting technology will allow you to build up incredible coasting speeds on our safe purpose-built track.

Fencing for Tots

For who: 3-5 years

Where: Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Woburn Forest and Whinfell Forest

What’s it all about: En garde! Using squishy foam foils (the swords fencers use) and plastic face masks, your young ones can fleche, parry and counter-parry to their hearts’ content. All for one and one for all!

Mini Jet Skis

For who: 3-7 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: An exciting opportunity for young children to experience the thrill of riding a mini jet ski in the safety of a pool environment. There are introductions and a practice session, followed by fun challenges – all topped off with a race to the finish.

Off-Road Explorers

For who: 3-7 years

Where: Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Woburn Forest and Whinfell Forest

What’s it all about: See your little ones don their tweed flat cap and get behind the wheel of a miniature 4×4. With you nearby, they’ll navigate around our bespoke track, tackling rough terrain and rumble strips, collecting puzzle pieces as they go.

Mini Trek

For who: 2 years + (maximum height 1.22 meters)

Where: Sherwood Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest

What’s it all about: Mini Trek is perfect for little adventurers. Once harnessed into our safety system, they can make their way around our 1-meter-high course. With you by their side, your little one will collect puzzle pieces which will make a great memento of their adventure.

Mini Captains’ Adventure

For who: 3 years +

Where: Sherwood Forest and Elveden Forest

What’s it all about: Are you ready to find your sea legs? Learn the ways of the water with this exciting new activity. Board one of our tiny trawlers and set out on a voyage across the lake to conquer the water and solve a puzzle. Anchors away!

Cupcakes for Little Ones

For who: 3-7 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Have fun together and use your imagination to create the perfect cupcakes in our decorating workshop. We will provide you with everything you need to be able to create four beautiful cupcakes to take home with you.

Crazy Science

For who: 3-7 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: You and your little scientists can join us in the lab to try all sorts of exciting experiments they don’t teach you in school! Make a volcano erupt, create real-life slime, climb into a giant bubble and much more. We’ll provide everything you need – right down to the miniature lab coats – to have some super science fun.

Teach Me Balance Bike

For who: 2-5 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Using special bikes without pedals so children can focus on balancing. We start by walking while sitting in the saddle and as confidence is gained, feet can be raised and the children can coast along on two wheels – no need for mum or dad to run behind them! Once they’ve learned to balance, a switch to pedals can be made without stabilisers.

Something here your little ones will enjoy? Take a look at our range of indoor and outdoor activities and book your next adventure today.

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Mysterie: Frans dorpje hangt al twee weken lang vol met onderbroeken

Een mysterie in het Franse dorpje Poligny. De afgelopen twee weken verschijnen daar plotseling waslijnen met ondergoed op straat, maar niemand weet wie het doet of waarom.

Al sinds 5 februari worden er in het dorpje 's nachts waslijnen met ondergoed opgehangen. Er hangen boxershorts in alle kleuren, slipjes en pikante strings. De onderbroeken trekken inmiddels de aandacht van mensen over de hele wereld, toch weet niemand waarom ze er hangen.

Center Parcs

"Tot nu toe heeft niemand de actie opgeëist", zegt het gemeentebestuur. "Er moeten inwoners van het dorp zijn die meer van deze actie weten, maar niemand zegt iets. Het enige dat zeker is, is dat de actie niemand kwaad doet. Het hele land heeft het nu over ons." De gemeente hoopt dat er meer toeristen naar het dorp komen door de actie.

Toch is de theorie dat de onderbroeken juist zijn opgehangen om te voorkomen dat er meer toeristen naar het dorp komen. Er zijn plannen voor een nieuwe Center Parcs-vestiging in de bossen rond het dorp. Volgens geruchten zijn de vergunningen voor het park niet volgens het boekje toegekend.

Bewoners zouden tegen het park willen protesteren door de vuile was buiten te hangen. Volgens het gemeentebestuur is dat onzin.

Bron: RTL Nieuws

All your questions answered about our Subtropical Swimming Paradise

What is the Subtropical Swimming Paradise?

An incredible indoor water park located at the centre of every village, heated to 29.5 degrees all year round and decked in lush green tropical plants and trees, it’s positively balmy.

On your break, visit the Subtropical Swimming Paradise as many times as you like, so whether you take a dip in the wave pool, tackle the Wild Water Rapids, make a splash in the water play areas or relax in the whirlpools, we guarantee you’ll love it.

What are the Wild Water Rapids?

For the thrill-seekers and strong swimmers in the family, the rapids are a great part of any break at Center Parcs. Feel the current of the wild river take you along a thrilling series of dips and dives, as you journey through the outside of the pool and back into the comfort of calmer waters.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, but we guarantee it’s great fun that you’ll want to try again and again!

Is there water slides and rides?

All our villages feature rides and flumes in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, which are suitable for all ages.

At Woburn, Elveden and Longleat Forest you’ll find our exhilarating Tropical Cyclone, a two or three-person raft ride with a gravity-defying drop. There’s also Typhoon, a two-seater ride with drops, swings and speeds of up to 45km/ph. Whinfell Forest is home to the Canyon Ride, while at Sherwood Forest you’ll find the Grand Cascade, both are exciting family water rides.

Is there somewhere to get food and drink while in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise?

After hours of splashing good fun, you can refuel at the Canopy Café and Bar, take your pick from burgers, salads, hot dogs and baguettes for a tasty treat.

Refresh with a colourful cocktail, creamy milkshake or chilled beer or wine, for an extra special treat, indulge in ice creams or Millies’ cookies to end your day in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise on a sweet note.

Can we all sit together while in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise?

There are tables and chairs dotted all around the Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

You can add a touch of luxury with a Family Cabana fully equipped with a TV, safe, comfy chairs, towels and complimentary soft drinks for you and your family to quench your thirst. Our Family Cabanas seat six to eight people at a time and we recommend booking them well before you arrive as they’re very popular.

Jump right into the fun at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise on your next break.

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De grootse campagne van het jaar is er weer: De Bungalow Race!

Het is weer Bungalow Race bij Center Parcs. Alleen nú boek je een verblijf voor 4 personen en 4 nachten vanaf 224 euro, inclusief verplichte kosten. Dat is 14 euro per persoon, per nacht! 

Race naar centerparcs.nl. 

3 bird: € 14,- p.p.p.n. ofwel € 224,- o.b.v. parken Limburge Peel & Sandur

4 bird: € 15,- p.p.p.n. o.b.v. park Meerdal

5 bird: € 18,- p.p.p.n. o.b.v. park Eemhof & Kempervennen

Children’s activity guide

Aerial Tree Trekking

For who: Minimum height 1.1 meters

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Fancy exploring an aerial rope course situated just two meters from the ground? Build your confidence and navigate your way through the forest, swinging, climbing, crawling and balancing across many exciting obstacles, including our mini zip wires.

Aerial Adventure

For who: Minimum height 1.22 meters

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Get ready for a thrilling adventure as you take on our treetop aerial course. Swing through the trees, trek to the highest points and make an exhilarating descent on our zip wire – if you’re brave enough, the zip wire at Elveden Forest, Woburn Forest, Longleat Forest and now Sherwood Forest will have you flying over the lake.

Aqua Jetting

For who: 8 years+

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Embark on an exciting indoor aquatic adventure. Twist, turn and dive like a fish using our exciting miniature submersibles. If you have never used a Seadoo before, take the bait: we guarantee you will be hooked! 

Junior Quads

For who: 6-11 years

Where: Sherwood Forest, Whinfell Forest, Longleat Forest and Elveden Forest

What’s it all about: Your mini daredevils will get to grips with handling and controlling a quad bike safely to gain their personal driving licence, before zipping around the thrilling purpose-built track under our guidance.

Laser Combat

For who: 6 years+

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: A family paintball adventure without the paint! Armed with state-of-the-art laser guns, you and your team sneak through the forest to beat your rivals and solve the general’s mission.

Woodland Wheelers

For who: 8-11 years

Where: Sherwood Forest, Longleat Forest, Woburn Forest and Elveden Forest

What’s it all about: With this exciting new activity, those too small for Segway Experience don’t have to miss out on a fun, futuristic way of seeing the forest. Zoom around our specially designed practice area and learn how to control your direction using tiny body movements. Once you have found your balance, you can test out your skills on our bespoke track.

High Ropes Challenge

For who: Minimum height 1.22 meters

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Test your nerve and prove your head for heights in this ultimate combination of high rope activities including the leap of faith and the climbing wall. A great chance to enjoy three activities for the price of one.

Fencing for Juniors

For who: 6-9 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Similar to Foil Fencing, this lesson is dedicated to our younger guests and their parents with experienced instructors teaching basic fencing skills in a safe environment.

Cupcake Decorating Workshop

For who: 8-11 years

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: At our Cupcake Decorating Workshop learn tricks of the trade and create six beautiful cupcakes to display in a presentation box which you can share with family and friends! We will provide you with the cupcakes, buttercream and all the equipment needed for this creative class.

Indoor Climbing Adventure

For who: Minimum height 1.1 meters

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Abstract themes, vibrant colours and a variety of materials on our series of climbing walls makes this a stimulating but fun environment for all abilities. From chess boards to race walls, don’t miss out on the exciting Indoor Climbing Adventure.

Seen something exciting? Take a look at our range of indoor and outdoor activities and book your next adventure.

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How to make the fluffiest perfect pancakes

I’m always looking for something a bit different for Shrove Tuesday. So when I spotted these impossible deep, fluffy Japanese pancakes, I just had to try them out. I’ve had a go at a few different recipes and this one is the simplest – no extra-egg-white-whipping required.

The batter is easy, but they take a little while to cook. These probably aren’t one to whip up before the school run, but to keep for an evening treat on Pancake Day, or even a leisurely weekend breakfast.

They’re so rich that you’ll only want one (or two…). The secret is the buttermilk (neither butter nor milk – it’s the slightly sour liquid left behind after churning butter) which activated the flour and baking powder, creating lots of little air pockets to make the pancakes super fluffy.

There’s one extra secret ingredient, and I want you to bear with me here: a spoonful of mayonnaise. Don’t be scared – it’s mostly egg and oil after all. It just keeps them moist and delicious.

Psst! If you can’t get on board with mayo in your pancakes, here are some of my other pancake recipes…

• Sweet and fruity stacks and savoury oatcakes
• Chocolate-stuffed pancakes and cherry blintzes
• 5 of our favourite pancake recipes, including traditional crepes

Ingredients

125 self-raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
30g icing sugar
1 large egg
190ml buttermilk
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 can coconut milk (high coconut extract – 60-80%), chilled overnight
2 tsp icing sugar
Fresh berries
Syrup
A crumpet ring, egg poaching ring, large scone cutter or rosti ring

Method

1 Sift the flour, baking powder and icing sugar into a bowl and mix
2 Mix the egg, vanilla and buttermilk in a jug
3 Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until smooth
4 Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise and whisk again
5 Grease the inside of the crumpet ring with butter
6 Put a flat-bottomed frying pan on a very low heat and oil lightly
7 Pour the mix into the ring, leaving at least 1cm for the pancakes to rise
8 Cover with a lid and cook on the lowest heat for 12-15 minutes, checking every five minutes
9 When the top is slightly set, carefully flip the pancake and ring over
10 Replace the lid and cook for another 12-15 minutes until golden on both sides
11 While the pancake is finishing cooking, open your chilled coconut milk and remove the cream (the thicker, opaque white part)
12 Whisk the thick cream with an electric mixer for 5-10 minutes until light and fluffy. Add your icing sugar to sweeten slightly
13 This can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days, and will set slightly further when chilled
14 Once cooked, remove the ring from your pancakes and serve with your whipped coconut cream, syrup and berries.

Tips

• A non-stick crumpet ring will give you smooth-sided pancakes, whereas a scone cutter will create a textured edge. I used ‘poachette rings’
• Don’t skip the lid over your pancakes – a plate or bowl will work fine, and a glass one will help you tell when they’re set

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Mijn leven is veranderd door een Center Parcsreclame

O mijn God, mijn leven is veranderd door een Center Parcsreclame. Misschien komt het doordat ik nog maar weinig reclames zie - als ik ze dan zie, hebben ze meteen een keiharde impact op me. Zo heb ik twee weken geleden een vakantie in een bruine legertent met kippen geboekt omdat mijn kinderen vagelijk 'leuk' mompelden toen we een spotje van Farmcamps voorbij zagen komen.

En nu die Center Parcsreclame. Hij is sowieso goed gemaakt, en voorzien van een diepe vorm van ironie die je zelden tegenkomt in Center Parcsreclames, of bij Center Parcs zelf, of überhaupt in reclames - de voice-over van Raymonde de Kuyper helpt daar nogal bij, maar ook de tekst.

Ik zal hem even oplepelen, misschien is hij ook voor u levensveranderend en dat scheelt weer een hoop boeken van Eckhart Tolle lezen en mindfulnesscursussen volgen.

.......

De komende weken moeten mijn kinderen dus aanhoudend met mij voetballen, en ze moeten mee naar een kunstmatig aangelegd vennetje in een Center Parcspark.

Nu maar hopen dat zij daar ja tegen zeggen, want zij zijn heel goed in nee zeggen.

Bron en hele artikel: Volkskrant

Family adventures at Center Parcs

Adventure Golf

For who: All the family

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Get serious or simply just have fun on our Adventure Golf courses, the perfect place for family fun. You’ll find out who’s got the best putting skills, as you tackle the tricky tests set out for you on the course.

Den Building and Decorating

For who: 3 years +

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: This woodland adventure allows families to build lasting memories and special family moments. Set in our beautiful forest, our den masters will share their trade secrets as each family – with natural resources and a helping hand – will create their very own den which can be decorated with leaves, twigs, fir cones, feathers and much more.

Ten Pin Bowling

For who: All the family

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Even if you have never picked up a bowling ball in your life, this is one game that you can pick up easily. And, whether you’re aiming to get a strike, or just to have fun with the family, Ten Pin Bowling doesn’t disappoint.

Outdoor Tennis

For who: All the family

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Always a popular sport. These outdoor courts are available to play during daylight hours. You can hire tennis equipment needed for the family competition before you arrive.

Badminton

For who: All the family

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Badminton is a sport that can draw out the competitive spirit from everyone. It is excellent for increasing your level of fitness and takes stamina, strength and speed. It’s incredibly enjoyable and fun for all ages.

Pottery Painting Studio

For who: 1 month +

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Choose a piece of pottery from our huge selection and paint it with your own design. We will then professionally glaze and fire it overnight for you to take away. Suitable for all ages and abilities. From baby footprints on a mug to a masterpiece on a fruit bowl, and everything in between!

Baby Owls

For who: 1 year +

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: This is a golden opportunity for you to share some very special moments with your younger children quietly observing ‘Pop’ the barn owl and his many feathered friends as they play in their natural habitat. But wise owls beware, this session is full of surprises.

Treasure Trail

For who: All the family

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Always a popular activity, this Treasure Trail on bikes sends you all over the forest. It’ll take teamwork and co-operation to crack all the clues and if you get them all right, you’ll each win a prize.

Football Pool

For who: All the family

Where: Sherwood Forest, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest

What’s it all about: Challenge yourself to a game of Football Pool that will have you stepping onto our giant 12ft pool table. Spots against stripes as you replace the cue with your feet and aim to score the footballs into the pockets. Will you be the first to pot them all?

Something here your family will enjoy? Take a look at our range of indoor and outdoor activities and book your next family adventure.

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Your guide to our indoor activities

We can’t predict what the weather will do on your break but the one thing we can know for sure is there will be plenty of fun indoors while you’re at Center Parcs.

Pottery Painting  

For who: Everyone

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: After you’ve chosen a piece of pottery from our huge collection, you can then pick up your brush and start painting your masterpiece. Leave it at the Pottery Painting Studio overnight and it will be glazed and fired for you to pick up the next day.

Roller Skating

For who: Minimum skate size junior 11

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Once you’ve got your balance you’ll whiz around the roller rink like a pro – you don’t have to be young, but being young at heart will certainly help.

Indoor Climbing Adventure

For who: Minimum height 1.1 meters

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: From climbing into space and playing snakes and ladders to weaving through bubbles and taking on the race wall; there’s plenty of different climbing walls to get to grips with. So no matter your age or your climbing ability the exciting elements of the Indoor Climbing Adventure will provide lots of indoor fun.

Cupcake Decorating Workshop

For who: 8-11 years and 12 years +

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: At our Cupcake Decorating Workshop, learn tricks of the trade and create six beautiful cupcakes to display in a presentation box which you can share with family and friends! We will provide you with the cupcakes, buttercream and all the equipment needed for this creative class.

Ten Pin Bowling

For who: Everyone

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Even if you have never picked up a bowling ball in your life, this is one game that you can pick up easily. And, whether you’re aiming to get a strike, or just to have fun with the family, ten-pin bowling doesn’t disappoint. Young children can join in, too, because we have bumpers and special ‘slides’ that they can use to ‘bowl’ the ball.

Badminton

For who: Everyone

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Badminton is a sport that can draw out the competitive spirit from everyone. It is excellent for increasing your level of fitness and takes stamina, strength and speed. It’s incredibly enjoyable and fun for all ages.

The Subtropical Swimming Paradise

For who: Everyone

Where: All villages

What’s it all about: Heated to a balmy 29.5c, the weather outside can’t stop it feeling like summer in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. There are plenty of activities to do like Aqua Jetting, Mermaids and Sharks and Mini Jet Skis for little ones to dip their toes into; or make a splash on our rides, slides and Wild Water Rapids.

Interested? Take a look at our range of indoor and outdoor activities and book your next adventure today.

 

 

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