Friends

Castle Howard in the Wind

August 29, 2020 in Days out with James

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.

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!!

Alnwick Gardens with Friends

August 18, 2020 in Holiday

The people sat round the pond ended up being the cheering crowd. It was like what I imagine the Colosseum would have been like. Ok, Ok, maybe not quite, but you get the idea.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park and other Animals

August 02, 2020 in Days out with James

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.

York Ice Trail

February 21, 2020 in Days out with James

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!

Beningbrough with Friends

December 29, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

Christmas Train 2019

December 26, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

Walkies by the River

December 21, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

Nostell Again

December 14, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

A Playpark by the Lake

August 05, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

A Hall with Friends

July 16, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

A Family Weekend

July 15, 2019 in Days out with James

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.

Back to the Priory

May 16, 2019 in Days out with James

We all headed out to get there just after opening time, but we arrived a little while before the others. Turns out Gav’s in built sat nav was not quite as effective as the electronic version! Not that it mattered at all as it meant Lyns got to partake in one of her favourite past times, drinking tea.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park

March 02, 2019 in Days out with James

With it being half term there was no swimming so James and I were off to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park with some friends. We were up at 7am and James was raring to go. We packed a small lunch box and jumped into the car getting to the park shortly before it opened. Luckily they were letting people in early, so James and I heading in for a little look round before our friends arrived.

First we went and saw the lions as James had heard them roaring and wanted to see what was making all the noise. The lions were sat on the bank right by the path so James had a really good look, such magnificent animals. After this we went for a stroll round the baboons. Even the local wildlife had turned up to put on a show.

Aftr the lions and baboons it was off to the polar bears. There was no movement here as all the polar bears were lying out, catching some rays. What a lifestyle. After that, it was onto my personal stars of the show, the tigers. Such amazing creatures and I cannot get over their size.

By the time we had finished with the tigers we had two hangry little monsters on our hands so it was most certainly time for lunch. We had a fantastic spread and the weather was perfect for a picnic. The two children had loads of fun running round as well, burning off some energy. After that we were off to the play park. Travel fifty miles and their favourite part of the day is the play park, fancy that.

A quick trip to South America followed after the park and then onto the leopard enclosure. I have been several times now and this was the first time I had seen the leopard close up. Truly beautiful. It was roaming around the enclosure, right up to the glass. Much to the kids delight, we then managed to find another play park. It’s as if the kids can sniff them out.

By now it was starting to get a little cold so we headed out of the park to have a coffee. After one last look at the lions in our way out, we found ourselves in a coffee shop. Drinks all round and biscuits for the kids was just what the doctor ordered. After this though it was time to go home.

We had been in the park for six hours and the time had absolutely flown by. The little man was exhausted and he was asleep by the time the car had left the Wildlife Park, I think that is the sign of a good day.

Beningbrough in the cold

February 04, 2019 in Days out with James

This weekend saw us welcome some visitors in the form or Lydia and Nigel who we had not seen for a good few months. They brought their little man Ted with them who would have lots of fun playing with James and, in fact, it was lovely to see them playing together, especially as they shared very well.

On the Saturday eve, once the boys had gone to bed, we settled in with a few gins, some dinner and good conversation. We had agreed to head over to Beningbrough in the morning.

We arrived at Beningbrough dead on opening time, so much so, we even had to queue to get in. Once in, it was first things first! Cups of hot tea all round as it was quite cold. Once we all had cups of the steaming hot drinks, to the park area we headed. If you have not been, there is a fantastic park there.

After we had all had a good play, we decided to go for a walk. More to get into the sun and warm up than anything else. We walked past the fish pond and noticed that their was a thick layer of ice on it. The boys, with some support, had great fun standing on it. This caused all sorts of giggles and squeals to erupt!

After the fun on the ice, we headed back into the warm of the cafe to enjoy another cup of coffee and a cake. That would do for lunch as we had cooked a bacon and blackpudding butty for breakfast. Stornaway blackpudding and homemade bacon none the less.

Lydia, Nigel and Ted headed off to a party and Lyns and I followed suit about ten mins later.

A lovely weekend, made all the better in the fact that it was James’ birthday soon and we would all be getting together again.

Parrots in the City

January 14, 2019 in Days out with James

So this weekend saw me having a trip to the big smoke to visit friends from uni. Having left York by 5:30 am I was with them by 9:30, to be greeted by a fry up. Cracking start to the day. Lyns and James were still away so it was just me.

After breakfast, Matt and I heading into the city for a wander. We started by wandering Southbank. I must have been the most infuriating visitor ever as I made no decisions at all as to what to do, rather just following along. We had a trip into the Tate Modern. It was far too ‘modern’ for me and I did not get the art. Maybe not mature enough. The view from the top though is fantastic.

After the Tate we headed across the river up Fleet Street and eventually made our way to Trafalgar Square. After this we walked to Buckingham Palace. Whilst all this was very interesting, it was not the highlight - that came in the form of a pelican! What was that doing in London?

After all our walking we jumped on the tube and headed to Putney where Matt knew of a Wetherspoons on the river where we could get a drink. As the weather was reasonable we sat outside. At £2.15 a pint, yes you did read that right, it would have been rude not to have had a couple.

After that it was back to the house for a lovely curry from the local takeaway. Whilst we were waiting it was time for some cheesey smiles!

Post dinner we settled down for some drinks. I promptly fell asleep during Lock Stock however, managed to pick myself up again afterwards to watch the rugby and have a whisky. In my defence, I was up at 4am to head down!

Sunday morning started with a run around Wimbledon Common, however, I did not manage to see any Wombles. I say run, it was more a slow stagger as I sweated out the alcohol from the previous night.

After a shower and some breakfast, we headed to Richmond Park. The wildlife there is amazing. Not only are there deer, there are parrots. All these splashes of bright green amongst the trees, what a sight

After a whistlestop twenty four hours it was time to head home. A lovely weekend spent with old friends!

A Cheeky Little Shoot

August 27, 2018 in Days out with James

So, just a quick blog today. Some friends of ours asked for some pictures doing, here are a few of the ones that I took. All taken at Moorlands Nature Reserve just outside York. Well worth a visit if you have never been. Hope you like them.