I hate the pressure of booking a good hotel. Generally because I’ve had 2 experiences in the past where we’ve arrived to find the hotel hasn’t received our booking or has ignored it. But also because when you go away you want it to be hassle free and however much you plan you can’t always get everything right. I also mostly book last minute when it’s just N and myself going away. Our latest break was to Portsmouth where we… Continue Reading “Queens Hotel in Southsea – a great location”
I often check there’s an aquarium nearby when I’m planning places to visit. They’re good for rainy day activities, although obviously then get busy. Near where we were staying in Southsea, right on the sea front, was Blue Reef Aquarium and I’d picked out the coupons I’d found in case N wanted to go. I didn’t expect him to ask to go on the first day we were exploring Southsea seafront. Blue Reef Aquarium is looking a little tired especially… Continue Reading “Blue reef aquarium Southsea”
When eating out, childrens menus are a mixed bag. Some like Pizza Express tend to get them pretty spot on (although I’m not sure that N by the age of 10 will be satisfied with the kids menu) as do Bella Pasta with their 2 younger and older kids sizes. I also like places like Cotswold Wildlife Park who have sandwich lunch boxes, but hot meal options across the standard menu with small and larger choices at good prices. At… Continue Reading “Mozzarella Joe’s and the children’s menu giant pizza”
Last year I heard about Friends Fest too late to buy tickets. They were all sold out. This year, I was on that waiting list and I bought tickets as soon as possible the Blenheim Palace Friends Fest. It was a shame children’s tickets were the same price as adults – the general admission was free, it was the timed slots for the set tours that you had to pay for (£26 a ticket). If you’ve not heard of Friends… Continue Reading “Friends Fest at Blenheim Palace”
Zoos aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we quite like them. Our latest visit was a great opportunity to talk conservation of animals with N as he was asking about why we had zoos. We had a spare day and I was looking for something to do outdoors to make the most of the outdoors and some of the only sun on my week off work. After comparing Whipsnade and Dudley Zoo, I decided that Dudley was better value and… Continue Reading “Day out at Dudley Zoo”
Games. Love them or hate them, you can’t deny that they can be great for family life. A chance to have some fun, relax (or maybe not if everyone gets competitive), and a way to get all ages involved. For me, the retro games are still the best – especially if you’ve got the old versions still hanging around cupboards. It’s rare that the modern versions are as sturdy as the old ones. I love reminiscing about the old games… Continue Reading “Pass the pigs game – review and giveaway”
People often ask how we manage to visit more than one place in a day on holiday. I always say it’s getting up early (although many holiday tourist spots don’t open til later than places at home), being focused on what we want to see, and having a child who rushes round places and doesn’t dawdle. He obviously takes after me (I’m like that with shopping and museums) On our recent camping holiday in South Wales, one day we knew… Continue Reading “Exploring The Mumbles and Oystermouth Castle”
When we go camping each year, we don’t slum it. We don’t go glamping either but we have certain criteria for the campsites. Let’s face it, we’re a load of mums with our kids (and sometimes a couple of dads), but we want a bit of an easy life and we certainly want to be able to have a good shower. So the campsites need to have: Nice toilet and shower blocks (ideally family showers for those of us with… Continue Reading “Camping at Three Cliffs Bay campsite”
I love going out and about with N. It’s lovely to spend time with him and see how he’s changing over the year. Last year we had a great time at the first ever Countryfile Live show, and again managed to get tickets to return there again this year. For once, there was no moaning from N. Hey, there’s tractors (and fairground rides which is what he was planning for), so there wasn’t a problem having to bargain to get… Continue Reading “Countryfile Live 2017 – celebrating outdoor life”
I love having a new phone (don’t we all), but I’m on a sim only contract so buy my phones outright and make them last 3 years. So I’m some way off being able to change to the Samsung Galaxy S8 that I was loaned by Three. I’m an Android girl through and through (can’t cope with no back button) and I’ve had 3 Samsung phones, so I know what I like…and the S8 I definitely like. The S8 camera… Continue Reading “Holiday photos with Samsung Galaxy S8 from Three”
