Family bonds - thanks to HPB

The Spicer’s most recent trip took them to El Balcón de Santa Ana, the Bond’s Canary Island home on La Gomera, over the Easter period where they were joined by daughter Lucy, son-in-law Ian and baby grandson Reuben.

Former campers, Chris and Linda decided that they wanted a little more luxury in their lives, post retirement. They were introduced to the Bond by friends five years ago, whom they accompanied on a holiday to Encosta Cabo Girão, the Bond’s Madeiran home. “We loved it,” says Linda. “We were lucky with the weather (especially considering it was early February!) and the scenery and walking were great. All in all, we didn’t need a lot of persuading to invest.”

Talking of walking… the Spicers consider that their La Gomera sojourn constituted two holidays for the price of one. “It ticked all the boxes,” says Chris. “Great relaxation and fun on-site but also a variety of stunning walks among the mountains, valleys and forests. Really this island is a little piece of paradise. And having Lucy, Ian and Reuben here with us is the icing on the cake.”

This is not the first time that the Spicers have holidayed with the Bond en famille. They visited Tigh Mor Trossachs in Perthshire, Scotland, in October 2009 with the then-full clan in attendance: Ian and Lucy, and their son Max and his wife Helen. It rained – a lot- but they loved it. “The Highlands were so spectacular, despite the weather,” says Linda. “We did plenty of walking – and the rain provided the perfect excuse to duck into a local pub. Or two!”

Tigh Mor, La Gomera and Madeira aside, the Spicers have enjoyed Bond holidays at Physkos in Turkey, Stigliano in Tuscany, Sibton Park in Kent and Le Mont de St Siméon in Île de France, just east of Paris: different destinations all, but with a certain commonality. As Chris says: “The great thing is that whenever we arrive at a site there is always an assured high standard of accommodation; you know what to expect when you go on a Bond holiday.” They are off to Duloe Manor in Cornwall soon – again with Lucy and Reuben – and, as Linda says, “We can’t wait!”

The Spicers are used to self-catering – all those camping holidays have engendered a certain ‘self sufficency’ – so the Bond is just perfect for them. “And the site managers and staff are always on the ball,” says Linda, “and so helpful.”

“We’ve met some lovely people through the Bond,” says Chris. “But over and above that the family is really benefitting from our investment and hopefully will enjoy even more Bond adventures as time goes on.”