Pre Christmas Jolly

To start the Christmas holidays off with a bang we decided to have a three-day trip to London.  It’s a while since we were last there and since Beth loved it so much last time, we thought we’d try and explore a bit more.

We caught a very early train on the morning of Saturday 21^st then headed to the hotel to drop our bags off.  This trip we decided to try a smaller hotel called The Academy, it was on a pretty quiet street but only a few minutes walk from Oxford Street.

From there we took the tube and slowly made our way to Portobello Road.  I’ve always wanted to have a nosey around there and the kids were curious as they like watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks.  Sadly there was no dancing in the street but there were a lot of shops and stalls to look at.

To stem their hunger, the kids managed with Nutella pancakes bigger than their heads and we had a lovely wander along the entire street.  Unfortunately, when the kids realised we weren’t going to buy something from every shop, they became a bit less enthusiastic about browsing. 

So, after a bit of brunch, we headed back towards the hotel and called in to the British Museum.  Beth wanted to see the Aztec masks and Toby the mummies.  I’m sure I’ve been there before but I can’t remember.  It’s a pretty impressive building with some pretty impressive items.  

We located the mummies first.  Beth was particularly interested in Cleopatra – the village panto this year is about Cleopatra and she is one of the dancers in the intro sequence (she looks a bit miserable in this pic, can’t remember why or if she was just being serious to mark the occasion!).  Toby wasn’t bothered about individuals; he just wanted to see bodies and was especially interested in the cat mummies.

We did manage to see the Aztec masks and artefacts – they were beautiful, however we didn’t stop too long.  By the time we found them, everyone was a little disinterested and ready for a sit down and some refreshments.

The next morning we headed towards Covent Garden for breakfast then on to the Tate Modern.  Beth is very creative and loves drawing and painting but has no confidence in her work, I hoped that visiting the Tate Modern might convince her that her work has merit.  I was very happy to see that my theory was confirmed and it took little to convince her that pretty much any of her creations would shine among the ones on show!  I think our favourite was this 'square tube' installation. ;)

From there we wandered across the wobbly bridge, past St Paul's and on to Hamleys (of course).  Amazingly it wasn't as busy as feared - think most people had bought their Christmas gifts by then - so we had a good wander, poke and prod and managed to escape without spending any money.  Christmas being only three days away was a fantastic excuse!

After a rest at the hotel, Auntie Jane arrived to join our adventure.  We meandered through London and got some dinner.  Toby found a worthy adversary in Yoda in Trafalgar Square.  Not sure who won that duel, suspect he did as we parted a couple of quid worse off for the pleasure!  

Steve kindly offered to take the kids back to the hotel so Jane and I did a little shoe browsing, wandered through Carnaby Street and managed to find the time for a sneaky pint too.

The next day, after a rather lovely breakfast (in a shared-booth cafe that strangely, no one wanted to share with us), we went to Fortum and Mason to have a look at their window displays and scare the shop assistants by hurtling around very expensive and rather fragile merchandise.  

After a relaxing lunch we caught the train back up home, rather slowly as the rain and wind had caused a few problems, and got back a couple of hours late.  Despite that it was a very enjoyable trip and the perfect start to the holiday season.

Autumn 2013

Thought I'd better get my backside in gear and produce a post before the festive season kicks in!

The months are flying by and thankfully everyone has been well and happy since the summer if not a little busy.  At the beginning of October there was the annual Apple Day celebration in the village.  

For once the weather was beautiful and we had a very pleasant few hours in the orchard, scrumping, and of course testing the local cider.  Beth was thrilled as she won first place in her age group for the art competition (topic they were given was 'Apples Around the World'), Toby did pretty well can came third.  Beth also tried her hand/feet at Morris Dancing!  Don't think she'll be taking it up as a hobby even though she looked to have fun.

The main event of the Autumn was the kids and I going away with our friends (Elizabeth, Nelly and my friend Phil) to their holiday retreat in Holme, Norfolk.   The weather wasn't fantastic but I don't think the kids really noticed; they were far too happy mooching on the beach and crabbing (our first time ever!). 

We didn't spend all our time on the beach, as with any English seaside holiday it was mandatory to go to the penny arcade and eat fish, chips and ice cream by the sea.  We also managed to squeeze in a game of tenpin bowling, an afternoon at the swimming pool and a walk for dinner (and perhaps a pint or two) at the local pub. 

I was a little apprehensive at the thought of spending 24 hours a day with another family but we had a great time. The kids LOVED waking up with friends in the next room and they all occupied themselves brilliantly when in the house.  I think any future holiday without friends on tap will be deemed very dull by the kids!

In the last week or so we've celebrated Halloween, bonfire night and Remembrance Sunday.  On Remembrance Sunday we went to the church service then walked down to the cenotaph.  Beth was very happy as she got to carry the flag for her Brownie troop.  Toby, not to be outdone with all Beth's doings, lost his first tooth last week.

In other news, after seven and a half years out of regular work, I have recently started a new job! Rather a shock to the system but so far I'm enjoying it.  Just to carry on with the trend I've set in the past, I have entered a totally new career as an administrator at a secondary school.  So I've gone from pottering doing stuff for the village newsletter and working out what to have for tea to writing legionella and asbestos policies.  Suppose it's as good a way as any to find out if my brain still works!! 

Happy Birthday GG Ruth

It doesn't seem a moment since we were celebrating GG Harry's 90th birthday and on Friday 23 August we were doing the same for Great Grandma Ruth.

This time we decided to fly over to Belfast on the Thursday night rather than take the ferry.  Not sure which way is easier - with the ferry it takes longer but at least you have your own car and can take as much 'stuff' as will fit in the boot.  On the plane we had to fit everything in a 20kg bag and were given a car that only showed kph (Steve did a magnificent job of getting it changed - they weren't very keen to send a new one out to the hotel).  The kids enjoyed flying - they have both flown before but neither of them can remember.

We stayed at the same hotel as last time, the Marine Court in Bangor.  It's great for the swimming pool and we can walk to grandma's but the downside is that they seem to have weddings or parties most nights and the music is very loud in the rooms, sometimes not finishing until after 1am.

The party was lovely, people called in throughout the afternoon with birthday wishes and gifts.  The kids made new friends - Peter from down the road was a hit though I dread to think what his mum thinks of some of the tricks Toby has taught him (fashioning a tree into a catapult and raining next doors garden with apples was one).  

I think grandma was quite overwhelmed to see just how many friends she has collected over the years - unfortunately there aren't many of her 'original' friends left; as she said "that's what happens when you get to 90." Most sad of course was that Grandpa Harry was missing from this line-up, but he was definitely in the thoughts of many guests.



Jane, Steve and I managed to continue the party (grandma declined the invite) by going to The Undertones Teenage Kicks 35th Anniversary Concert.  It was pretty cool - if anyone was to ask me if I like punk I'd probably say "not really" but then when I listen to any (proper punk that is), I really love it. We had a fab time despite not venturing into the mosh pit - the venue was tiny and we had a great view of the stage as we were up on the balcony above. Best of all, it was right next door to the hotel.  It's reminded me how fun live gigs are - I'll have to get a few booked to look forward to!

Since we stayed until Sunday afternoon, we had time to explore the shore and fit in a few extra activities while we were there.  The kids loved messing round on the beach and in the rock pools looking for creatures, shells and any other interesting bits.  The coastline is so beautiful around Northern Ireland and it was lovely being able to enjoy it in the sunshine for once!

One of the most enjoyable things was going for fish and chips in the village of Groomsport.  They were cooked to order and we ate them outside looking over the harbour; even the rain starting halfway though didn't put a damper on events.


It was a great trip and I'm glad the kids had chance to visit grandma at an age when they will hopefully remember.  Have to say that I hope if I make it to 90 I still have the energy to do breadstick fencing with my great-grandson!!

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.