Today we visited a hidden gem in Herefordshire. Hampton Court Castle and Gardens can be found between Hereford and Leominster (close to the junction of the A49 and A417). Free Parking, it cost £13 for adults to go around the castle and gardens and £7.25 for children over 5 (under 5 free). You can pay to just go around the gardens and that would save you a few pounds off each entry. Set in beautiful grounds you can easily spend a whole day here. We took a picnic but you can buy food and ...
Music for this generation
I'm a child of the 70s (I know you would never guess ) I have a sister and brother roughly 15 years older than me. I grew up having everything from punk to Elvis being played in different rooms of the house. My sister was a huge Adam and the ants fan and had her room covered in pictures, my brother loved Blondie and her face hung from all his walls. Dad loved Elvis and still does but he was also a huge Simon and Garfunkel fan and I can still pretty much tell you exactly what track it will be ...
The flying seagull project
We first met the Flying Seagulls at Wilderness Festival in 2012. One of the first areas we tend to head for is the children’s area at any festival. Within minutes we noticed the Seagulls, and who could miss them? In every children’s area they tend to attract the largest crowds, never an empty seat when they perform unless they have you dancing, jumping around and becoming part of the show. They become the backbone of every kids’ area they perform in. My son then 3 years of age ...
Preserving Memories
My Mum writes in a diary every single night. I was reminded of the diaries when I recently stayed and went into the cupboard under the stairs. On the shelves she has diaries going back to when my brother and sister were small, so she must have around 50 years worth at least. As far as I'm aware she has never missed a entry, some days the entries are short and just about the weather or what shift she worked that day but other days you have the entries about birthdays, deaths, births, first steps, ...
My Sunday photo #1
Sunday is going to start to be a big photo publishing day. I would love to see any photos you take on a Sunday too. This afternoon the sun has well and truly arrived at Garden Cottage, so the afternoon was spent exploring and playing in the garden and a plastic box filled with water provided for cooling down. Here is a selection of what Matilda got up to... ...
What do children learn at festivals
I love festivals but my reasons for going to them have over the years changed and my circumstances have certainly changed. Before it was all about me and my friends, now it’s not just about me and my friends; it’s also about my children and considering my reasons for taking them. I want them to enjoy going to to festivals and have plenty of wonderful experiences from going, and from those experiences they can hopefully benefit every day. At the grand old age of 7 by son always talks about ...