A holiday at Butlin's does not sound like a really great vacation experience. However, I had an enjoyable time. The experience came about when friends called to say they were taking their kids there and would I like to come. I joined them and arrived a couple of days later.

Butin's history began on a rainy day at Barry Island. Billy Butlin was not allowed to stay in the boarding house  during the wet weather. He developed summer camps in which holiday makers could enjoy themselves regardless of what the weather was like.

New arrival, as I was, were shown to reception. Here the formalities  of checking in take place. I was already checked in and my friend's children rescued me from a long wait.

They took me on  an orientation experience to my chalet. I joined my friends for dinner.

My chalet was comfortable, more so than ots of low cost hotes I have stayed in. I would have appreciated a small lounge area in it, other than a bedroom and bath room.

The chalet was equipt with a kettle for making hot drinks. There was also a TV but I did not view it much.

I ate breakfast and the evening meal at the restaurant. I'm an egg and bacon breakfaster so this was a specially favourite meal.

There was a choice of cuisine in the evening. I enjoyed the traditional British menue. I chose a soup, a main course and a dessert.

Supper was often a Harry Ramsdon bag of fish and chips.

The restaurant was the sef -service type.

Many seasoned visitors thought the food was not now as good as in the past. They also felt dissatisfied with the self-service restaurant. They much preferred a restaurant with a waiter service.

The regulars thought they might have more felexibility over meal times by taking a Butin's self- catering holiday.

A group of happy Butlin holiday makers eating traditional British cuisine.

This was a popular venue and the kids took me along, hoping I'd get a good ducking when the wave machine started. Water World was fun and enjoyable.

There was  Butlin's novety train ride into Minehead. This was the fun way to travel. I was always thankful to find the Butin Express waiting to take me back at the end of the day.

An after dinner entertainment was to join a theatre queue, the earlier you were the nearer the front. This was a good game played by adults and children.

The picture shows our team.

Each team had at least 1 adult and children. The object was to stake a claim to the table you would be at during the live show.

There was friendly chatter in the lead up to the great table rush. Once the doors opened it was a race against time to occupy your place.

The funny thing was it was the same spot the children had claimed 4 years previously. We had a good view of the entertainers. It was always live if not as equaly enjoyable.

The stars in your eyes TV adaptation did not work as well live as it did on the TV. Billy bear was fun and humourus and still is.

After a day of hiking and sight-seeing. A Butlin's live entertaiment experience was a good way to spend the evening.

Here is a photograph of a happy famiy. This was their third Butlin holiday.

My favourite view of Butlin's was this picture I took from the beach.

This was my first visit to Butlin's. It was a happy experience. I did my own thing. That is when the kids woud let me. They got me to take part in activities that I would not have participated in. Laser Gun battle is a memory  I will never forget. Charging around a darkened room with a laser gun zapping all and sundry. On completion of the game I found my score was minus a few hundred!

Everyone made a resolution to meet at Butlin's Minehead in 2005 so that once again we can experience their motto 'For our delight.'

Click the photograph to visit Butlin'a web site.