All my class was seasick... on Isle of Wight ferry
HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME DAME KELLY HOLMES
CONTINUING our series on the holiday memories of famous people, this week double Olympic champion Dame KELLY HOLMES, 48, recalls a lifetime of adventures.
The first holiday I can remember:
Butlin’s Bognor Regis was a regular choice for my family, and I loved joining in the It’s A Knockout-type competitions for children so I could get a medal. I wasn’t so pleased when my mother made me go on stage with my little brother Kevin for a baby competition – we didn’t even win, how humiliating! When I was 14, I met Tessa Sanderson when she came to Butlin’s just after she’d won Olympic gold for javelin in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. I always laugh with Tessa now because we had a picture taken of us, her in the white Great Britain shell suit and me with an afro.
Top school trip:
My whole class of 30 went to the Isle of Wight for a week when I was 12. We were all sea sick on the ferry over as it was an awful, windy, rainy day. We stayed in this massive house in bunk beds and there was a lot of adventure training, with climbing, raft making and building camps. I loved it so much I didn’t want to go home.
First time abroad:
An Army friend and I went to some Greek island. It felt so grown up and adventurous trying to find the bus to our hotel. We enjoyed the beach but also went on boat trips and hired scooters. I felt so cool.
Favourite holiday activity:
I love active holidays – I always find a gym and sometimes hire a bike. In Egypt I got on a camel, in Vietnam I rode a bike, and in Thailand I got in a tuk-tuk.
My favourite destination:
I love South Africa, it’s a second home. I’ve been going since 1993. I run in the mountains or along the coast, and cycle to vineyards and in the mountains, which always makes me feel free and happy.
Best holiday:
In South Africa with two old friends ten years ago. After spending time in Stellenbosch, where I used to train, and Cape Town, we went kayaking on the Orange River. It was so peaceful
A TASTE FOR ADVENTURE:
Kelly gets to grips with a bunch of grapes in South Africa and such an adventure pitching a tent on the river bank each night. The Blue Lagoon in Iceland was fantastic, too. I don’t do water as a rule, definitely not cold water, but the thermal pool was amazing.
Worst holiday:
Tunisia because of all the guys on your case – they’d see a group of women and want you to go out in the evenings; on the beach they’d try to sell you things every minute of the day. Annoying.
Dream destination:
I’m looking forward to Malawi in October, seeing the wonderful scenery and learning about the people, their dreams, work, diet, how they survive. I’ll be running 15 miles up Mount Mulanje, cycling 35 miles across the Zomba Plateau and kayaking 12 miles on Lake Malawi on my seven-day Sport With A Purpose challenge in aid of the Street Chef project to improve nutrition for Malawians. You can join me – if you’re fit enough!
For information on joining Dame Kelly on her Malawi challenge through Orbis Expeditions, visit orbis-expeditions.com