After a sit down and a bite to eat, it was time to get exploring. James was in his element as there was mud everywhere!!
Read MoreAysgarth Falls Many Years Later
Days out with James
Castle Howard in the Wind
Wow, what weather! With lockdown eased and a new tier system looming, we headed to meet some friends at Castle Howard. What started as a nice day, ended up bitterly cold and windy.
We arrived a little early so did as we usually do and went and had a cup of tea. James was on top form, supping away on his hot chocolate like a real little man.
It was not long before our friends arrived and we headed into the Castle Howard estate. The weather started nice, however, over the course of the day, that was too change. However, we headed in, sunglasses on a spring in our step.
We headed into the woods first to try and tire the little men out before lunch and the play park. It was a great idea as we spent a good couple of hours exploring.
The look of disappointment!
Before too long though it was time for lunch. we managed to bag ourselves a table by the lake. By this time, the wind was blowing a gale and it was bitterly cold. We huddle up with a cup of tea and shivered our way through lunch.
Once we had scoffed lunch, we unleashed the little ones on the play park. Despite the kids throwing themselves all over the climbing equipment, the only casualty was Lyns as she brained herself on a beam while trying to take a photo.
Before too long though, it was time to start thinking about head back. We, of course, took the scenic route via the pond and the walled garden. The kids got absolutely drenched as the wind was whipping the fountain water through the air like a hose.
Even though the wind tried to blow us away and we got drenched through, covered in mud and freezing cold, we all had an amazing day, as usual!!
Yorkshire Wildlife Park and other Animals
We arrived early and sat down and had a coffee. I am so glad we did get their early as, although apparently the site was operating on ‘reduced numbers’, by the end of the day, it was as busy as we had ever seen it.
Read MoreA Weekend in the Sun
With the lock down being lifted a little and good weather being forecasted, we decided to head to the coast to let us all run off a little steam. We expected the coast to be busy so we got there for just before 8am and were on our way home by 10. Just as well really as the cars were streaming in by this point and social distancing was, well, non existent.
Read MoreA Tail of Two Fountains
It is amazing what a difference seven days makes. On two consecutive weekends wee had gone to Fountains Abbey. The circumstances could not have been any different. The first weekend was the same as any other weekend, with a distant background rumbling of this illness coming fast from the other side of the world. Seven days later strict social distancing was in place, a day after that, the country was in lock down, something none of us had seen coming a week earlier.
Read MoreYork Ice Trail
We jumped off the bus and right in front of us was Sponge Bob Square Pants, much to the little man’s delight. We were in early but already the hoards were massing so we prepared ourselves for what would be a busy day!
Read MoreThe Mallard
For the second time in two weeks, James decided he wanted to go to the railway museum, albeit, this time with mummy as well.
Read MoreBeningbrough with Friends
This allowed James to get really close to the cows, eye level in fact, without being in any danger from them. He was a little apprehensive at first, but once he realised he was safe, he was intrigued by being able to get so close to them.
Read MoreChristmas Train 2019
Our annual outing to see Santa started early on a damp weekend morning. The year before we had taken a later train and had struggled to find somewhere nice to eat afterwards. This year we were on the 11am train, much to Lorna’s disgust as both her and Paul had been out the night before, and we arrived bright and early with plenty off time to get a hot chocolate and mince pie before. Pretty certain that certain members of our party were just topping up from the night before with the Bailey’s in the chocolate but less said about that the better.
Read MoreWalkies by the River
So… how far behind can I get on my blog posts??? As it turns out, a fair way behind. Life has a way of taking over and not giving you a spare moment, and with any spare moments you have, you have to choose wisely what you spend them on. Do something and I guarantee that you will miss out on something else. So, posting has taken a back seat.
Tonight though, James is at a sleep over and Lynsey is fast asleep having had Elvis tire her out. I have been for a run, and now showered and relaxed, am not ready to sleep. Music and catch up on my blog is the order of the hour.
Read MoreNostell Again
The end of November saw Lyns and I have a long awaiting catch up with our friends Lydia and Nigel. The girls had planned to head to the Christmas Fair at the York Race Course, however, I did not fancy this so we had to make other plans. First things first though, dinner and a few drinks. After the little ones had run off all their energy in the house we put them to bed. Apart from a couple of trips to calm them down, they settled very well. This meant that us adults could get on with dinner and a few glasses of wine.
Read MoreBeamish Again
Having visited Beamish last year for Grandad’s birthday, we still had our annual tickets. Before they ran out, we decided we should try and use them. To this extent, the end of September saw us head up to County Durham for a visit. It was also a last hurrah before I started my new job.
Read MoreA Playpark by the Lake
A couple of weeks ago Lyns and I finally made our way to Castle Howard. Having lived in York for about fifteen years, it is one place we have never been. We had been told that the adventure playground had been redone so even more reason to visit. We had friends to stay the night before and had a few drinks so it was a leisurely start to the day. We got the Castle Howard about midday and of course first things first, lunch.
Read MoreA Hall with Friends
So a bit of a belated post today. At the start of May we went on an adventure to East Riddlesden Hall, a National Trust property near Keighley. We had chosen what looked to be a lovely day to go and the weather certainly held up as we drove across. We arrived a little before our friends so we did a little bit of exploring and James hit the play park. Even Lyns was having a play before anyone else arrived. It was not long before Dominique and Gav arrived and chaos ensued in the play park. Even little Elliot was zooming down the slide.
Read MoreA Family Weekend
All the stars had aligned for this weekend and Lyns had managed to get the full weekend off, what a rare treat. I had taken it upon myself to arrange a few surprises, not letting Lyns and James know until the last minute.
Read MoreStillingfleet Wildlife Day
With the weather being as lovely as it has been, today was certainly a day for spending out in the sunshine. One quick google later to see what was going on near us and we headed out to the RHS gardens in Stillingfleet for their wildlife day. Here they had loads of stalls on, teaching about bumblebees, spiders, bats and so on. There was even one on composting.
Read MoreAll the Fun of the Fair
We loaded up and got there for about 10:30 and headed into the park. James was super excited to see all the rides, especially as there are loads that he could do to. Lauren and Thomas had stopped to pick up breakfast so whilst we waited for them, we headed onto the first ride.
Read MoreWaterfalls and Hills
This weekend has seen Lyns’ not so little sister Lauren and her boyfriend Thomas come to visit us for a few days. We decided to head over to the Yorkshire Dales for the day to make the most of, what looked like it could be, good weather. We were worried driving over as the rain came down but, as it turned out, there was no rain for us!
Read MoreA Day on the Farm
We got there relatively early but yet the car park was already full. That had to be a good sign. We entered the Farm and there is loads to do. Of course though, the play park and a sand pit took priority and James made a beeline for them. No problem, meant I could sit down and relax in the sun whilst he played. Now.... how to stop myself falling asleep?
Read MoreNursery Funday and a Party
James started off with the animals. He even stroked the cow which was lovely to see. After that, we went to see the reptiles and the spider. James was full of tales from when we went to the conservation centre at Askham Bryan. Much to Lyns’ delight, James enlightened her with all sorts of stories that put her mind at rest whilst staring into the eyes of a python.
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