France 2013

When I booked the holiday back in January we were taunted by the wait, however the time has flown by and we're already back home and contemplating next year!  

In a moment of slight madness we decided to do the journey all in one go. Setting off at 4am was a little trying but in general everything went as well as could be expected with two children and a 12-hour drive!

We were a bit more adventurous this year and chose a slightly bigger campsite (30 pitches) just outside the village of Sainte Nathalene, near Sarlat in the Dordogne.  One of the reasons we chose this site was the reviews said it was known for being geared towards children and very family friendly; it was - every family had children and many were English. The kids were ecstatic to have friends on tap, waking up to find their best buds up ready to play.  

Our pitch was tucked away from the centre of the site and apart from the rocky ground (nightmare for tent pegs) and the slight slope, it was perfect as we got plenty of shade - much needed on the days when the temperature reached 38°C (100°F)! 

Right beside us was a little bit of woodland, hidden from general view, that the kids made into a bar (no reflection on the activities of their parents, honest) and a den. They were very proud of their creations - they were pretty good despite not serving beer!

Quite a large percentage of the holiday was spent in the pool; Toby perfected swimming underwater (not bad for the child who wouldn't put his head in six months ago) and Beth just had a blast with her friends. 

We also had quite a few trips out. We visited Castelnaud, towering over the river, Toby insistent that he could/should test out the catapult!  We spent a couple of mornings in Sarlat at the market, virtually unchanged since I went as a teen, drinking coffee and (for a few seconds at least) enjoyed watching the world go by!  

We also found a shady spot for swimming in the Dordogne, catching the current downstream and attempting to catch the many fish sharing the river with us. 

We were very lucky to be able to spend one day with family friends at their home, enjoying their hospitality in the form of lovely food, beautiful surroundings, cooling pool and great company. A very nice day!

The two weeks flew by and it was a super holiday made all the better by the fact that we also made some lovely friends.  We have loved these last two trips to the Dordogne but next year we're thinking of exploring new areas of France so any suggestions of hidden gems and small, child-friendly campsites will be greatly appreciated!

Half Term Fun

We are just back from four nights of 'testing' down in Salisbury.  We bought a new tent ready for going to France over the summer and thought we'd better make sure that we can put it up, especially since the instructions are in Dutch!

We stayed at a campsite on the outskirts of Salisbury, just a stones throw from Jane's house (a good back up . . . ;)).  The site was great as a base to explore the area but not ideal for kids as there was very little for them to do.  

There was an enormous field next to the campsite but as you had to get to it through the main campsite gate, it was a little too far to let the kids go on their own (even though it was right over the hedge from our pitch).  However, Beth did get to fly her kite (you can just make her out on the left of the photo) and we set up Jane's slack line and had an impromptu picnic that was very pleasant.

We were very lucky to get two beautiful days (and one not so nice).  We walked into Salisbury a couple of times as there was a riverside path from the campsite and were lucky that our visit coincided with the Salisbury Arts Festival so there was plenty to look at.  Jane took Beth climbing - her birthday present - and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.  

We took Toby to look round the cathedral and to see the Magna Carta (doesn't every 5-year-old boy dream of such a morning out?).  The last time I visited the cathedral was before the kids were born, since then they have built a new font.  It's pretty impressive as the water is so still.  I'm amazed that Toby didn't give in to the urge to stick his hand in it.  Steve was interested in the clock at the cathedral as it's the oldest working clock in the world, made around 1386.

We managed a trip to Stonehenge; it was busy even though we got there first thing in the morning.  The kids weren't thrilled when we told them we were going to visit a pile of stones but they did like having the audio tour telephone thing!  Despite Old Sarum towering over the campsite (you can see it in the background of the photo of Beth flying her kite), we didn't go and look at it - think we'll leave that for when the kids are older.

On our last day, despite the rain, we drove to Beaulieu in the New Forest and walked the two miles from there to Buckler's Hard, a village known for shipbuilding (over 50 timber ships were built there for the Navy) stopping for a pint in the pub before puddle-jumping back to the car.

In all it was a pretty successful trip - the tent stayed up, it was great to see Jane and lovely to visit some of the attractions in the area.

Quick Update - May 2013

Beth switched from Rainbows to Brownies last month and last night she took her promise.  In previous situations when she had to speak in front of people she was so nervous she could hardly move.  It seems her confidence has grown quite a bit as she spoke clearly and was the only one of four to get the words correct on both the promise and the law. :)  I have to say that taking the promise has got a little less formal since I was a Brownie but it was still nice to be there.

Toby has been off school with norovirus for the first couple of days this week.  He was very good and hardly complained at all; he just shuts down, curls into a ball and watches tv until he feels better!  Here's a photo from yesterday when he was pretty much back to normal.  Let's hope he never hears about how he should act with man flu!!!!



This morning I thought it would be good to blow the cobwebs away and go for a march round Clumber Park lake.  It was extremely quiet but very beautiful with loads of animals, birds and insects appearing.  Also good to see the plants so green with lots of buds beginning to appear.  

Although nice, the photos don't do it justice and I also didn't go to my favourite parts of the park as they are a bit too far off the beaten track to go alone.  Now that the weather is (hopefully) getting a little bit warmer we should be able to get out biking.  Clumber has so many little paths and places to explore, the kids should love it!





On that topic, Toby has grown out of his bike and we have been on the hunt for a new one.  Last weekend we took him to pick a new one up.  As you can see it is a perfect match for Toby, being green, and despite being pretty big (20" wheels) he is a bit of a whizz on it.  Steve has 'ordered' him to stay on one gear or he disappears in a cloud of dust!  That reminds me, we must check our public liability insurance . . . 

In one last bit of news, the new pigs have arrived.  They are extremely cute (will that make them extremely tasty?) and have enormous ears.  Not sure if they will grow into their ears or if they will keep growing at the same rate as the rest of them.

Happy 7th Birthday Beth

Wow, seven already and having a great time on her birthday.  I think, for the first time, Beth loved pretty much every present she opened.  She was very lucky and got quite a bit of Lego Friends, a trip to the climbing wall (no prizes for guessing who that was from!), a sewing kit, sewing book and materials to make items, a few clothes (probably not quite enough to satisfy but never mind!) and a ballet outfit.

I wasn't sure about the ballet outfit as I had bought it ages ago in the sale thinking it would be great for dressing up.  However, on Wednesday after a hail of protest, she agreed she'd go with her friend to a single ballet classe to try it out.  Wednesday evenings can be difficult as we have her friend every week and there is always great 'debate' on what to do and who should get their own way.  

Beth felt she had outgrown dancing a little and decided she isn't a 'girly girl' so wouldn't suit ballet!!!  Anyway, we went and she absolutely loved it, insisting she needed a ballet outfit for next week.  I felt like a super mum when she was opening her presents the next morning (see top left photo). :) 


As you can probably see, Toby was less than impressed that it was Beth's birthday.  Despite having stayed awake late so he could help Steve and I decorate the house with balloons and banners, etc. it didn't distract him from the fact that he would not be getting any presents or having a party!

It made me giggle that the first thing he asked this morning (the day after her birthday), in a very enthusiastic voice was "It's not Beth's birthday anymore is it?".

Instead of a party, Beth has decided she would like to take two friends to the cinema.  Have to say I'm very happy with that - saves Toby having another bout of depression!

Just a final note for those of you that noticed the shop-bought cake rather than a homemade creation - Beth specifically asked for a Flake one.  I am not complaining!

Happy 5th Birthday Toby

Wednesday 20th was Toby's 5th birthday; he's been looking forward to it and counting down for months!  He was up and ready to celebrate at 4:55am and I felt a little bad sending him back to bed, though that only lasted for half an hour.

Apart from wanting any advertised tat he saw on tv, the only thing he really asked for was a big box of chocolates to share (like daddy got for his birthday).  That was easily arranged and we supplemented that with a portable football goal, some new shin pads, googles for swimming and a few books.

After last year and his big party, this year was going to be a small one.  We thought perhaps he might choose to take a friend or two to the cinema or bowling but all he wanted was a few friends for tea.  I was quite happy with that though surprised by just how noisy five boys can be (especially after lots of sugar)!  We did our annual chocolate egg hunt, usually it's nice enough to go outside but this year it was freezing and it was snowing again this weekend.  I don't know if the other boys had done this before as it caused great excitement.  I suspect we will be finding undiscovered chocolate around the house for at least the next week or so.

There was also a few mini games of football as the goal was up in the dining room - probably not the most sensible activity at that point and it was only by small miracle that nothing got broken (bones included in that statement!).  Toby requested a dragon cake and after looking for ideas that I might be able to replicate, I decided to cheat a little and do a Chinese dragon rather than a 'dragon in a cave' type one.  He seemed happy enough with it so that's all that matters and greatly enjoyed his party too.

Today, we planned on going out for the day, somewhere of Toby's choosing.  However, with the snow and the fact that it is freezing, we changed our plans and stayed local.  First we went swimming and took his swim toys (and googles of course) to the pool with us.  He's doing pretty well with his swimming lessons, has ditched his armbands and keeps getting moved up groups.  As much as both he and Beth enjoy lessons, they predictably far prefer fun swims!  After that we had a takeaway lunch and that is being followed by a movie afternoon complete with popcorn in front of the fire. :)

A perfect birthday week!

Oh, the last photo on the left is from 5:35am and Toby saying, "So, where are my presents?"!

The Magic of Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone!

After a few hectic days travelling to France and back we have spent a couple of very relaxed ones.  On Christmas Eve we went down to Leicester to see grandma, grandpa and Auntie Jane and have our Christmas lunch.  It was very nice - lots of lovely fodder, a few tipples and lots of treats.  The highlight for Beth was having Auntie Jane curl her hair.  Amazingly it is still a bit wavy two days on - she has the straightest hair and so it's surprising it stayed in at all!  Thankfully the kids were quite dozy on the way home so after putting out their stockings and sorting out Santa's milk and Rudolf's carrot, they were happy to go to bed.

Christmas Day was spent at home.  It started slightly earlier than desired (5:30) but the single present left in each bedroom kept the kids occupied and upstairs for about an hour.  I think it is the first Christmas that the kids have actually stopped between presents to play with what they opened.  Usually it's like having a couple of Tasmanian Devils whirling round ripping everything open till there's nothing left!  This year it was after midday when the last present was opened, quite a miracle.


Beth's favourite present without a doubt was a pair of pink sparkly party shoes from Auntie Jane, closely followed by some make-up (just what every 6-year-old needs ;)).  Toby dotted between his presents and didn't seem to have a favourite though the Hot Wheels Mega Loop seemed to keep him occupied for quite a long time.  I suspect he wasn't feeling a 100% since he had a temperature of 103.4 (39.7), not that he complained much!

Grandma and grandad came down for lunch and we had a massive rib of beef, yorkshires and all the rest; quite an informal meal for Christmas lunch but very tasty.  It was a lovely, relaxed day where we didn't step outside once; guess we'll probably get outside today as it's mandatory to have a walk on Boxing Day.  Hope you all had great Christmases too!

The Magic Before Christmas

This year we started Christmas early and went to Disneyland Paris for three days. We left very early on the morning of December 21, arriving just before check-in, and headed straight into the park.

Beth has absolutely no memory of going to Disneyland all those times in California, so it was like a first for both the kids. We only told them the day before as neither of us could cope with the expected levels of excitement for a prolonged time!  Having said that, Beth was rather disappointed at first as she wanted to go to London shopping (she needs reminding that she was born in Orange County in close proximity to Disney rather than in LA County, where she lived, that was closer to Rodeo Drive!!!). Thankfully she did get excited and we had a great few days.

Considering we weren't trying to meet the characters, we managed to bump into a surprisingly large number of them. My favourite was Mickey as we got a family pic with him. Beth's was probably Minnie (we bumped into her in the hotel shop!), and Toby's was definitely Buzz. We saw him meeting and greeting with a massive half-hour queue and decided it wasn't worth the wait.  Instead we went to the area up near the front where you can watch him but not meet him and just looked.  I'm sure the people in the queue were less than delighted when Buzz spotted Toby in his Buzz hoodie, broke off greeting and came over especially to see him!  For any of you that know Toby, it's quite a spectacle to see him speechless, quite sweet really. :)

The rides were met with a mixed reaction. They loved the teacups, the carousel, the Buzz ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours and the haunted house. There were a few rides that were 'fine' but had no requests for a second go, and two that they totally disliked.  One was Big Thunder Mountain - Steve and I loved it while Toby didn't like it and Beth hated it as she came off with a tummy ache and banged hip!


The other was RC's ride (the remote control car from Toy Story). Beth was only just tall enough so Steve took her on.  It looked right on the edge of her comfort level, and it was.  At one point Steve was concerned she was going to puke on her fellow fun lovers!  Thankfully she held it in but I doubt will be tempted back on until she's a teenager at least.

We all loved the parades; we saw the Stars in Cars parade in the Disney Studio Park - Jessie waved and waved at Toby who was again in his top (appears that it was worth buying - thanks gran & grandad). We also saw the big main parade in the main park - Prince Charming waved and waved at Beth in her princess dress. :) They are definitely impressive and fantastic to watch but I do wonder how much ibuprofen the cast members have to take after to get rid of their smile-induced jaw aches!!

The kids are thoroughly knackered; Disneyed out, but we brilliant time and look forward to going back. Hopefully next time we'll make CA as the weather's better, the cast members I remember being even smilier and the most of the locals are friendlier. ;)