Family Visit
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 MoreThis 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 MoreSo today was the penultimate full day of Colin, Elaine and Alexander’s flying visit to York. Alexander was really looking forward to going to the railway museum, but, more importantly, he wanted to go on a bendy bus. He has a toy model of one but had never been on one so was really excited when he found out they were in York. I’m not sure if he was more excited about the bus or the museum.
We were a little late heading out and it showed when we got to the park and ride. The queue for the bus was huge. If you get there at 10 you get straight on a bus, get there at 11 and the queue is massive! Not that it mattered as we were in no rush. We jumped on the bus, making sure to sit near the bend and headed off. We jumped off and headed into the National Railway Museum. The boys were in their element, running around an exploring all of the trains. That was, until, they saw the Thomas ride. Could we get them off? No way, not until they had had their fill anyway.
After playing inside, we headed out to see the trains come into York station. If you have not been before, there is a viewing platform you can stand outside on and watch the trains pass. For some reason, there were a lot of miserable people on the trains this Saturday as not one person waved back, much to James’ consternation. That being said, the boys enjoyed watching the trains pass and it was nice to be outside getting some fresh air.
After the museum, it was onto the bus and into York to get some lunch. I had a super hangry wife who got ever more so as I forced everyone to walk across town to get to the bakers near to the minster so we could have warm pasties for lunch. Unbeknown to me, it had closed down! I could feel the looks of hatred without the need to turn round. By this point there were two hangry wives. Luckily there was another bakers near by so we hot footed it across and bought some sandwiches for lunch.
We headed to the Minster Gardens for our lunch. It was a beautiful day and it meant that the boys could run around to their hearts content and there was a lot of room for them to do it in. Alexander managed to flirt with two young ladies who were instagramming in the park and had them beaming at him. A little heart breaker in the making. I wonder where he gets that from … any ideas Colin??
After the having a good run round, burning off all their energy, we headed into York itself. The boys had a little pocket money to spend so it was off to the Disney shop. James treated himself to a Jack Jack cuddly toy and Alexander a Buzz Lightyear. It was just a quick trip into town as the boys were getting tired and Colin and I needed to get back to cook dinner.
After getting the bus home, the girls put the boys to bed whilst Colin and I cracked on with dinner. Two curries, one starter and a desert later we had a house of satisfied people and we opened a few bottle of wine and gin and settled in for a few drinks.
This weekend saw Lyns’ little brother and his family come to visit, and where else to go to let the little ones run off some steam than Piglets. During the week it is half price entry so about £6 each which is not too bad. Absolutely loads to do, animals, climbing frames, go carts and so much more. We spent more of less the whole day there and the little ones just went wild for it.
We arrived just in time for feeding the animals. This happens a couple of times each day, along with petting the animals. There are a range of animals from chickens and guinea pigs to massive boars. Alexander was not so keen on the animals but James was mesmerised by feeding the boars and he loved throwing, or at least trying to, the food into their mouths. The boars would stand their and open their mouths presenting a very large target.
After feeding the boars we went for a walk to see the other animals. There is a highland cow, Shetland ponies and a range of other farmyard animals. With the sun shining, it was a lovely walk around. It had been a cold start to the day, but had warmed up quickly. James loved feeding the ponies although every time they came to take the straw out of his hand, he would pull away shrieking, much to everyones amusement. It was a good peaceful start to the day before the chaos of climbing farms and play areas commenced.
After the animals, we wandered back to the main play area to see where Alexander and Elaine were. We found Alexander riding one of the big pigs. James of course jumped straight on as well. It was the perfect place for some amusing photographs, my favourite being the Baker family selfie!
After the pigs it was onto the bouncing pillows. No idea how these are made but the are so much fun for bouncing on, even for the grown ups. One of the advantages of coming mid week is that it was really quiet. We had a lot of the play areas all to ourselves. When we have come on a weekend before it has been heaving, not today! Alexander loved the pillows. As soon as I pulled out the camera the poses he started pulling were hilarious. What a little show off he was, pulling out all the moves.
After the pillows it was on to the bit that Alexander had been looking forward to from the moment we arrived, the tractor ride. If you have not been, there is a tractor and trailer ride that takes you to the play barn. We all climbed aboard and bounced our way along the track to the play barn. Inside the play barn there are ride on tractors, a sand pit, slides and swings. On top of that, there is a cafe which sells pizza, ice cream and coffee, much to our delight. The boys had a wail of a time exploring all the different areas and playing to their heart’s content.
Once the boys, or at least James, had doubled their body weight with sand and straw it was time to head back. Colin and I, sorry I mean James and Alexander, had a date with the go carts. Colin was off like a shot taking several bends on two wheels which is pretty impressive seeing the go carts weigh about ten tonnes! They have some great ones where you can sit side by side which meant that James and Alexander, who are too small really to peddle, can still have a ride around. Cue boys vs girls races!
After the grown ups had exhausted themselves on the go carts it was time to have a play on the climbing frames as a chill out before we headed home. By this time, the late autumn sun was setting, casting a lovely warm glow across the play areas. The boys had lots of fun digging and climbing, finishing the day off perfectly.
We loaded two very tired and filthy boys into the cars to head home. First thing we did when we got home was throw them into the bath, turning the water black. Then it was dinner and bed. A lovely out.
