Filed under Holidays & Going Out

Advent #7 – check out Christmas lights

Advent #7 – check out Christmas lights

I have loved doing the advent activities this year, possibly even more than the children. It’s been a fab way to do things together while learning about the Christmas Story. On day 7 the activity was to ‘jump in the car and check out the Christmas lights around town’ (thus representing the starry sky above … Continue reading

TWICE in one week – lucky me!

TWICE in one week – lucky me!

I used to go out several times a week BC (before children) and definitely on the weekends for a good ‘session’, whether that be an enjoyable meal with close friends or a crazy girls night out in town.  However, nowadays it’s a less frequent event, I think I’ve only been out a handful of times this year! … Continue reading

Summer 2012

Summer 2012

Now that Autumn is here and Summer seems to be well and truly over, I feel it’s the right time to sumarize  what we got up to during the school holidays of 2012. In all honesty, I felt very anxious before the holidays, worried about what to do with the children and how to keep them … Continue reading

Champions: Big and Little

Champions: Big and Little

(Final instalment of Summer 2012) 1st Place for Frisbee Genius I can not deny the fact that I use the iPod as a babysitter now and again, maybe a little too much as my son has developed a talent for playing the game Frisbee. He turns and directs the frisbee through various courses collecting awards … Continue reading

Tots ‘n’ Tinies Paulton’s Park Trip 2012

Tots ‘n’ Tinies Paulton’s Park Trip 2012

After organising the most complicated trip of the year, a group of mummies and friends from our lovely Tots ‘n’ Tinies group ventured to Paulton’s Park, Romsey.  It wasn’t as much of a wash-out as the trip last year, at least there was some blue sky today!  Fortunately, I managed to take a few photos … Continue reading

Eurocamp – France 2012

Eurocamp – France 2012

I can understand why people go to Eurocamp year after year.  We had a wonderful time in Clary’s Plage in the Vendee, France recently.  We stayed in a tent, which was new this year so very nice, clean and fresh, it had all the mod-cons, such as a fridge, cooker and real beds – quite … Continue reading

Proud to be British once again – Diamond Jubilee 2012

Proud to be British once again – Diamond Jubilee 2012

I wasn’t really interested in celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee until I watched a recent documentary about her life on TV. I developed an admiration and interest in this marvellous lady and felt encouraged to discover more about the Royal family, past, present and future. It was a nice feeling to see homes, streets, buildings … Continue reading

First camping trip of 2012

First camping trip of 2012

We pitched up at Forest Edge campsite in Ringwood on perhaps the hottest day of the year so far. Fortunately, we were situated a stones throw from a lovely, inviting swimming pool……which we soon discovered wasn’t open until the day after we would finish camping. Never mind, we could still take advantage of the facilities … Continue reading

Yippee – Summer is here!

What lovely weather we’re having……at long last!  However, the children were overheating, becoming rather hot and bothered, so we took a quick trip to the supermarket and took advantage of the air conditioning; and in particular the fridge isles.  We couldn’t stay there all day without being suspected of shoplifting, so we headed home and … Continue reading

My Anxious Easter Holidays

My Anxious Easter Holidays

They didn’t get off to a good start; what with rainy weather and me developing stupid anxiety/panic attacks about going out! ( I think this was partly a reaction to my new bipolar medication and not very nice to experience).  However, we did manage a few trips to Paulton’s Park; which the kids loved and … Continue reading

Danebury Hillfort, Nr Stockbridge

Danebury Hillfort, Nr Stockbridge

We explored most of Danebury Hillfort in thick cloud and drizzle, but it made the experience even more fun for the children when we sheltered under trees and inside a den that we discovered.  Charlotte and William both selected sticks which they carried around for most of the adventure. Charlotte’s stick was actually a weapon … Continue reading

Looking for less land

Looking for less land

This was a day packed with viewings around Moncontour. Each house was better than the last and Cassady, the estate agent, showed us a number of properties that I’d actually discarded for one reason or another.  In fact the property we felt was most suitable was one I’d not even shortlist but actually ‘felt’ quite … Continue reading

The only toddler group in Brittany!

The only toddler group in Brittany!

Our night was OK, we slept on the floor and although we probably saw every hour the children slept soundly! Jez was great with the kids, showing them the lorries departing the ferry and allowing them both to sit in the front on my lap, they seemed so excited it was lovely. The journey to … Continue reading

All aboard

Travelling to France on the night ferry, with our two lively children, worked surprisingly well. We chose against a cabin and reserved just 2 reclining seats – we figured that as Charlotte and William don’t sleep very well even at home, that paying for a cabin would be pointless. Once we’d boarded and after exploring … Continue reading

Down on the Farm at Finkley

Down on the Farm at Finkley

We had such a lovely time at Finkley Farm in Andover. It was a beautiful Autumnal day and there was hardly anyone about so the children had the run of the place.  I’d never been before and was really impressed with the wonderful play area and the opportunities to hold the animals. Charlotte and Sophie … Continue reading

Bonne Chance in France!

Our move to France is becoming more of a reality.  Over the past few weeks we have been liaising with some very helpful people who live in Brittany to get their opinion on the area, our map is now more highlighter pen than region(!) with numerous places to visit, churches to attend, markets to experience, … Continue reading

We thought Llandudno was…….

We thought Llandudno was…….

My first impression of Llandudno was how wonderfully, traditionally British it was. The beautiful buildings along the whole length of the promenade immediately take you back to Victorian times. You can easily imagine what it was like; a thriving, luxurious location on the coast; a short carriage journey from Liverpool, only for the most wealthy. … Continue reading

Camping in Conwy

Camping in Conwy

This was our third attempt at camping and this time we stayed at Conwy Touring Park. On arrival we were met by a very friendly and helpful receptionist who kindly showed us which plots were still available, she enthusiastically said that we could pick any we liked. Despite having requested a pitch near the park … Continue reading

Aldi helps with long drive

We are en route to Conwy in Wales for a camping break with the little ones. This is a 5 hour journey, which will take much longer with kids. I’m so pleased we invested in a twin in-car dvd player to entertain my lovely, lively children. We’ve not had a peep out of them so … Continue reading

Weymouth 2011

Weymouth 2011

We all had a lovely time on holiday with the Kittow family at the Haven “Resort” in Weymouth. Wouldn’t quite call it a “Haven” though, as the caravan we had was rather yuk, but overall the “resort” was perfect for children.  We went swimming every day and visted Abbotsbury which was lovely and Weymouth beach … Continue reading

Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

Abbotsbury Children’s Farm

On our recent holiday in Weymouth with the Kittow Family; we spend a morning at the Abbotsbury Children’s Farm. It was such a lovely place for both children and adults. There was an indoor soft play area for the little ones; as well as all the usual farm animals to see, pat and stroke.  Charlotte … Continue reading

Do you remember your 1st time?

Do you remember your 1st time?

For many it was a complete disaster, but for me it was amazing, I loved every minute and can’t wait for more! I wasn’t sure what to expect but my friends said it’s lots of fun! Apparently loads of people do it and often return for more!! CAMPING was a fab experience, admittedly we were … Continue reading

Paultons Park

Paultons Park

As a child I never really went to theme parks – maybe they hadn’t been invented back then. The thought of visiting a theme park BC (before children) was possibly as appealing as a short family break at Butlins. The funny thing is we ARE going to Butlins later on in the year and even … Continue reading

5 answers to prayer

5 answers to prayer

I can not find the words to describe the blessing that have been poured out on me, I feel a little like Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother). (Luke 1) Elizabeth said,25 “Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.” Elizabeth’s … Continue reading

Gilpin Lodge

Gilpin Lodge

It was a lovely surprise to receive an email from Gilpin Hotel and Lake House Lodge saying I’d won a 2 night stay for 2 in their Relais & Chateaux accommodation in the Lake District.  I ‘ummed’ and ‘aarred’ about how we could smuggle the children in, but everyone convinced me that it should be … Continue reading

Night out with the girls

It’s been a while since I went out in the evening. Usually, once the children are in bed I have only the energy to sit on the sofa and eat dinner in front of the TV. What a slob!  However, last night a group of mummies from our church Tots ‘n’ Tinies group met up … Continue reading

Holidays

Our first holiday with Charlotte was fairly hard work, but equally enjoyable. It was in October 2009 and Charlotte was 3 months old.  We went with Mum and Dad and stayed the first few nights in Ludlow Castle, Shropshire and the remaining nights in the Lion Hotel (where Mum and Dad had their honeymoon). Ludlow … Continue reading

Summer 2007 in Sentein

Summer 2007 in Sentein

We have nearly finished renovating the Ancienne Gendarmerie, we have water, electric, heating and hope to have windows soon.  I love our home in France and we are making plans to live here but need to allow God to work in our lives and show us the path we are to take. This summer we … Continue reading