Fun in York

March 07, 2019 in Days out with James

This weekend saw James and I have a day to ourselves. We got up early and headed into York for a boys day out. We had lots planned but first of all we jumped off the bus and headed to the Yorkshire Museum. James was on top form and made sure we went into every room. When we missed one, he would point it out and off he would go. He loves the dinosaurs in there but most of all he loves the skeletons. He is truly fascinated by them.

After we had spent a good hour in the museum, James decided we wanted to go and play in the ruins of the abbey. He loves climbing on the ruins, even more though, he loves jumping off the top of them. If I was lucky I got a bit or warning, if not James just threw himself off, trusting I would catch him. Never have I moved so quickly as he began climbing higher and higher!

After we had walked through the Museum Gardens we grabbed a bite of lunch. We popped into Lucia’s, James choice as apparently mummy and granny take him there, and James enjoyed some fish fingers and chips. All in all a nice meal.

After lunch I asked James what he would like to do. He announced he would like to go to the big church so off to the Minster we headed.

James could not get over how high the ceilings were. He kept staring up in amazement. I promised him that when he was bigger we would climb to the top of the tower. He was really excited by this.

After the Minster, it was time to grab a little food and head home. Apart from a rogue ten minutes where he was naughty, I had to drag him round M&S, he was a star all day. Interested in everything. We got home about six hours after we headed out and settled down to a hot chocolate and some TV. Could not have asked for a nicer and more relaxing day with my little man.

Trains, Minster and Bendy Buses

October 22, 2018 in Days out with James

So 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.

They Go Up So Quickly

July 20, 2018 in Days out with James

Just a quick post to share with you an experience I enjoyed with another member of my family, an older member in this case. For Christmas I bought mum and dad a hot air balloon experience. Unfortunately dad did not want to do it so it fell upon me to take mum up. James, Dad and Lyns all came down to see us off. It was an early start with us having to be at the race course for 5:30am!! A shock to all of our systems.

The experience was through Balloon Rides Ltd and I would thoroughly recommend them. Our pilot for the day, Ollie, was really good, very clear with his instructions and still found time to share a joke or two along the way. Very much made the experience what it was and for someone as relatively young as he was, it was amazing!

I'm not going to write too much as I do not want to ruin the experience, for that is what it is, an experience not a ride, for anyone who reads this and will one day do it. Just take it from me, Mum and myself as well as the other three couple in the balloon really enjoyed it and I cannot wait to take Lyns and James, when he is eight, up.

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Fun in York

Trains, Minster and Bendy Buses

They Go Up So Quickly