It’s gone a little quiet, over here, at the blog. It is unintentional.
School’s out in the UK and I now schedule school holidays to ensure that the time is used well.
This can mean blogging goes on the back-burner. I never actually consciously decide that. It just happens. However, after reading today’s post over at The Frugal Girl, and really enjoying it, I felt inspired to leave the offspring to their own devices and hit the keyboard.
The weather has turned out nice this week (as is the very British saying). Cold but dry. This has been a huge bonus, as much of what I had planned was outdoors.
Saturday consisted of a day at Wonderland. Made all the better by the total spend amounting to the fuel-cost to get there and back. I had some free-passes and packed a lunch. The kids never tire of going. That’s the thing with Kids (well my Kids anyway) – they enjoy going back to the same place, time and time again.
This is a good thing, as once again we used our annual family pass to visit Blists Hill. Not an advocate of paying in advance for services usually, this is one pre-purchase that I don’t regret. Visiting the Victorian town never loses it’s appeal. From the time the Kids change their pocket-money into old pennies at the bank, until it’s all spent (usually I have to top up so they can finish off with some candle dipping), they remain enthusiastic and enthralled.
(Not sure the Victorian’s had plastic lifebuoys?)
A new adventure, however, has been embarked upon this week. It hasn’t been all repeat visits. We are just back from a much-anticipated bus-ride into town, to explore the new art gallery.
The rare bus-ride won’t be repeated, but the art gallery will. Not prepared I had to ask the bus driver how much an adult and 2 children would be for the 6-mile journey. His reply was almost £6 one-way. In the end I opted for a family day-saver at £10 for multiple trips. I am now reminded why I use the car!
The gallery was great. Free admission and lot’s to see. Galleries have changed a lot since I was a child, they are much more interesting. Not an oil-painting or landscapes to speak of. There was a family workshop running and we came home with our own piece of art – now proudly hanging on the wall.
There’s still more to do, friends are coming to play and there’s a train ride planned into the big city.
I think the Kids are enjoying their time out of school! As am I!
…although I’m now kind of back at school myself, I didn’t get a week off for half term. It was definitely about time I started to learn how to decorate cakes properly rather than making it up as I go along.
The above cheeky chappy took me the whole of a 2-hour class. Oh yes, you’d be surprised how long I can take to mould a 3″ high sugarpaste cat! 🙂 And I was surprised how much patience I can have when I try!
How’s your week going? I’d love to hear!
Well I’m feeling proud of myself. I had an idea to entertain my two boys on a non-eventful holiday day. I set a scavenger hunt. It was inspired by a school homework task – to read a book by a specific author. The scavenger hunt started with a walk to the library. It’s a half mile walk up the main road. They had to spot and note the colour of the bus. Once the library task was done, they walked to the shop. They had to count the steps at the end of the path. Gleefully they did, and again recorded it on their special sheet. At the shop they had the challenge to buy a packet of biscuits with an ‘e’ in the title. The final challenge was to spot a house with a ‘1’ on. To any adult this might seem boring, but to my 5 and 7 year old it was an adventure! It also didn’t involve the Tv or being indoors all day, which was a bonus!!
I love this idea Helen, in fact I’m going to do it myself as we have a trip to the village library planned tomorrow! Thanks!
Well I’m feeling proud of myself. I had an idea to entertain my two boys on a non-eventful holiday day. I set a scavenger hunt. It was inspired by a school homework task – to read a book by a specific author. The scavenger hunt started with a walk to the library. It’s a half mile walk up the main road. They had to spot and note the colour of the bus. Once the library task was done, they walked to the shop. They had to count the steps at the end of the path. Gleefully they did, and again recorded it on their special sheet. At the shop they had the challenge to buy a packet of biscuits with an ‘e’ in the title. The final challenge was to spot a house with a ‘1’ on. To any adult this might seem boring, but to my 5 and 7 year old it was an adventure! It also didn’t involve the Tv or being indoors all day, which was a bonus!!
I love this idea Helen, in fact I’m going to do it myself as we have a trip to the village library planned tomorrow! Thanks!
This has been a good week here. I got off work Monday for a holiday and my sister has been visiting from out of town. We did a lot of catching up which is always fun.
Sounds like a lovely week!
This has been a good week here. I got off work Monday for a holiday and my sister has been visiting from out of town. We did a lot of catching up which is always fun.
Sounds like a lovely week!
We had our week off (almost a week, not quite) last week over my daughters’ semester break. It is always nice to break away from the schedules of school, dance class, deadlines, auditions and such. But we’re back to our schedule this week.
That Victorian village looks very interesting. I’m sure your children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, on all your outings this week.
We’ve had similar experiences with bus fares here. If we go downtown to Seattle on a Sunday, parking is free, so all we pay is the gas to get there, which is about half the cost of 3 of us riding the bus and back. If we had to pay to park, then it is more economical to take the bus.
A change is as good as a rest, they say!
Even factoring in parking, the bus here is more expensive. I do wonder how those who have to use it, afford it?
We had our week off (almost a week, not quite) last week over my daughters’ semester break. It is always nice to break away from the schedules of school, dance class, deadlines, auditions and such. But we’re back to our schedule this week.
That Victorian village looks very interesting. I’m sure your children thoroughly enjoyed themselves, on all your outings this week.
We’ve had similar experiences with bus fares here. If we go downtown to Seattle on a Sunday, parking is free, so all we pay is the gas to get there, which is about half the cost of 3 of us riding the bus and back. If we had to pay to park, then it is more economical to take the bus.
A change is as good as a rest, they say!
Even factoring in parking, the bus here is more expensive. I do wonder how those who have to use it, afford it?
Blists Hill village looks so interesting. We have similar re-created villages in our province in Canada. The children enjoyed them when they were younger. I think it’s nearly time my husband and I went on our own again sometime!
Your week sounds productive yet relaxing. A perfect break from school and the routine. Love your sugarpaste kitty!
I’m sure you’d enjoy it just the 2 of you. You probably wouldn’t have to take as many toilet breaks! Or wipe dirty hands so much from climbing in the mud! 🙂
Blists Hill village looks so interesting. We have similar re-created villages in our province in Canada. The children enjoyed them when they were younger. I think it’s nearly time my husband and I went on our own again sometime!
Your week sounds productive yet relaxing. A perfect break from school and the routine. Love your sugarpaste kitty!
I’m sure you’d enjoy it just the 2 of you. You probably wouldn’t have to take as many toilet breaks! Or wipe dirty hands so much from climbing in the mud! 🙂
Hi. Thought you’d like to know there’s a ‘Cake International’ all things cake show on in Manchester. Mary Berry will be there and a whole lot of exhibits. There’s a half-day ticket selling on groupon for £5 at the moment and for the next 3 days
Thanks Helen, I’ll check it out!
Hi. Thought you’d like to know there’s a ‘Cake International’ all things cake show on in Manchester. Mary Berry will be there and a whole lot of exhibits. There’s a half-day ticket selling on groupon for £5 at the moment and for the next 3 days
Thanks Helen, I’ll check it out!