Family Time..... Woburn Center Parcs July 2016

So, I did something I had never done before and booked us a weekend in Center Parcs. I scrimped and saved very hard to be able to do it and it cost a lot of money but I tell you now it was worth every penny. 

Now the kids are older they need more to keep them occupied on holiday than just holidaying in a caravan, god knows I wish I could afford to take them abroad, but sadly as a single parent this is not within my scope. I'm sure they understand although it doesn't stop them hoping, so Center Parcs it was.

I had a romantic idea of a few days away just me and the kids barely any technology and lots of outdoorsy stuff. For the most part and surprisingly, it worked. 

We took the cat to the cattery the night before so that we could pretty much get up and go. I wanted to get there as early as possible to "get my money's worth"!! First mistake was telling Teen1 that we couldn't get into the accommodation until 3pm, this, in his head, meant that he could move as slow as a snail when he got up pottering about getting stuff ready.  Of course I'd told him to get everything ready the night before and I'd packed the clothes, surely it doesn't take that long, does it?!!

After a bit of shouting, we finally got in the car at about 9.15M so not too much later than I wanted and made our way to Maccy D's for a breakfast to set us up. We don't really live too far away from the new Woburn CP and we were soon there by about 10.40. This might seem weird going on holiday not too far away from where you live but for me it was bliss. Generally it takes us about 3 1/2 hrs to get to our holiday destination.  Check in was painless I'd done it online so it was just a case of queueing to get our key and parking up. As we'd got there early there wasn't much of a wait.

After we parked up, we set off to explore the park and find our accommodation.  The sun came out and it was really warm.  We decided once we found out where we were staying to go back to the car change into shorts and go collect our bikes from the hire shop.  I'd booked this online so it was a case of turning, the man getting us the right size bike adjusting it and off we went.  There were soooo many bikes we couldn't believe it !

I'd also pre booked table tennis for 1.30pm for something to do whilst waiting to get into our accommodation.  So off we went to the plaza and played for an hour.  I then had the idea that if we pulled the cases and carried the bags to the lodge I wouldn't have to sit in a queue of traffic in the hot sun to drive to the lodge.  This was a great tides, in principle !! Pulling the cases up the hill on the other hand made it feel like a stupid idea haha.  By the by in the end, we made it in, unpacked and decided to go swimming.  

The kids loved the pool. Not as big as some of the larger CP's but park wasn't as busy as some of the larger ones by all accounts.  I did think it would keep them entertained most of the day but a couple of hours were enough really.  The rapids were hilarious and they made me go down one of the slides.  Can't remember what it was called, typhoon twister or something, but we could all sit in a rubber ring together which was great. Well, all I can say is oh my god!!! We screamed and laughed all the way down, mainly at Teen1's face as unfortunately he drew the short straw and ended up going backwards down it.  I wish I could've taken a photo of his face. 

We decided to order from the takeaway at evening. Kids had pizza and I had noodles.  Noodles were a bit bland but the kids scoffed the huge pizza and chips. We then started the jigsaw puzzle I decided in my wisdom it would be a good "family" thing to do.  Another of my romantic ideas !

 

The next day was time for the "Arial Adventure". Well, I thought I might actually die. But dramatic maybe and I don't know what I was expecting but good god!!!!! We climbed through trees on wires and planks held on by a safety rope.  We did zip wires and Teen1kept laughing at me saying are you ok mum?!?! I'd get from one obstacle to the next tree and stood hugging the tree at the other end. The zip wire across the lake at the end was great fun once I'd plucked up the courage to jump off ! 

We treated ourselves to the pancake house for lunch afterwards...

After lunch we decided to take a chance and go the the plaza to see if we could book an activity. I didn't want to book too much in before we went as I found it difficult to work out what we would be wanting to do when and was a bit unsure what the weather would be doing. I managed to get us an indoor tennis court for an hour. We did have a real laugh, it was really good fun and really nice to do something just the 3 of us.  Trying to get Teen1 out of the house to do family this at home is a total no no so it was a refreshing change. Tea tonight was the Italian restaurant Strada.  The food was absolutely lovely. I'd pre booked but it wasn't overly busy. I had to pay a deposit when I booked and they took this off the bill which was a bonus as I'd completely forgotten about it haha.

Sunday we went swimming again, swam with frogs, yes frogs. Couldn't believe it. We went to go in the Rapids and because they go outside, the tiny little frogs hop from the pond and a couple fall in. We thought it was funny, Teen2 not so much. She got scared, God knows why as they were tiny little things, but kept grabbing my arm. We all know how much it hurts when you are wet, they are wet and they cling to you.  "Get off me" became our funny saying for the rest of the hol which has continued as a private family joke since. We had some lunch and played indoor tennis again, along with a bike ride around. Gotten tell you by day three my arse was very sore 😂  hadn't been on a bike for years but finally made it up the hill to our lodge and was very pleased with myself !!

I agree it doesn't look steep but looks are deceiving !! Hiring bikes was one of the best things we did.  It meant you got around a lot quicker. A couple of people had said to me get bikes and a couple said you don't really need them but I was glad I did.  If we had bikes at home I'd have taken them with us, but it as reasonable enough to hire them. 

I must say at this point that this post isn't sponsored and all views are my own, I just wanted to share the lovely family time we had away.  CP, however, if you are reading and want to send us to another park for free that would be totally acceptable hahaha.

Monday was our last day, we packed up and decided to go swimming one last time, looking out for frogs as we went around. One or two last times down the typhoon slide before getting a hot sausage roll for lunch and headin home.  Think Teen2 was missing his mates and PS4 by then by I feel pleased that we didn't rely totally on technology while we were away, although I have to say the wifi around the park was bloody brilliant ! Had it everywhere you went, or at least week did. (Got a be able to keep up with a bit of social media while you are away don't you 😉) 

All in all the most brilliant time. Whether it was because it was somewhere different, (we always holiday in my parents caravan) because it was just the 3 of us ( we always holiday with my parents) or just because the weather was kind, who knows. Maybe it was because I'd decided not to cook or make lunch while we were there. This was my holiday too. We loved it. Now, to save or not to save for next year that is the question, the other is can I afford it? Probably not !!! 

Toodle Pip for now Doodlebugs

xx

All nighter.......

So, Teen2 had a sleepover the weekend before last. Well I say "sleep"over in the loosest possible way seeing as though they didn't actually sleep - at all !! Luckily it wasn't at my house I hasten to add and boy did we pay for it !

When she got home on the Sunday she insisted she wasn't tired but being a mum I can obviously tell she was. She was having none of it. She didn't want to go to her dads and I had to do a food shop so I left the house telling her to go to bed for a couple of hours - yes I got the look - and off I pootled. 

I came home about an hour and half later and crept in. I was unloading the shopping and I heard the tv go on.  Did she sleep? I have no idea but I think she at least had a lie down.

Enter grumpy child for the next few days.  I'm sure this won't be the last time she is up all night but hopefully she will be older by then and learn to go to bed, like I did 😀 

She did however have a wonderful time and brilliant laugh so if she is happy who am I to moan. I just had to bite my tongue when the attitude started. I have started saying "lips" when the attitude starts, what is it with the year 8 attitude ?!! Is anyone else finding this? Even Teen1 replies with its cus she is in year 8, all year 8's get attitude !!!! It's either attitude, drama or they live life like they are on YouTube. Please tell me it's not just mine.....

Tootle Pip for now Doodlebugs

xx

Getting a better view....

So, I walked into the lounge to see the cat like this

She is obviously trying to get a better view of the birds in the garden!! Things they get up to when they think you aren't watching eh?! Teen 2 said she'd like to strap a camera to her to see what she gets up to when we're not about and also to see where she wanders off to when she has "gone for a walk". 

Anyway here are a few picks of the flowers now they are starting to bloom

Taken on a clearly more sunny day than today haha

Hopefully the buds on the fuchsias will start to open if we ever get more than one day of sunshine. What is going on with our weather this year?! Monday heavy rain, Tuesday nice and sunny, today showery. I would just like it to be consistent, not necessarily 80 degrees, just nice enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt for more than one day in a row. The grass desperately needs cutting but it's just too soggy. I don't know about you but to rubbish weather just makes me want to curl up, eat and read a book. (See my previous post about what's on my kindle)

Toddle pip for now doodlebugs xx

What's on my Kindle........?

So, where have I been and what have I been up to? Yup, you guessed it from the title, I've been reading. 

My friends and I went to see "Me before You" at the cinema the other weekend which meant I just had to read the book again. Yes I had previously read it quite a while ago and couldn't wait to see the film when I heard that it was being made into a film. However, before I could read it again I had to finish the book I was already reading.

The last book I read (before re-reading Me before You) was called The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon. This was the third book I read by Lucy and they were all part of the Longhampton Series. This was the only one I'd read for the first time. It was good but not quite as good as the other two but I can't take anything away from it, it was a nice easy read.

The first one I read of the series was called A Hundred Pieces of Me. This was the second time I'd read it and I have to say it was as good as the first time.  It is a very inspiring book although it is also sad. If you have never read it, I would truly recommend it. I do not want to give too much of the storyline away but if you want me to do a proper review let me know 😊

The second one of the series I read, well I say series, they aren't really a follow on, just set in the same place and a couple of the characters appear briefly in this one that did in the first.  This was called One Small Act of Kindness. Again a heartwarming book which kept me reading for the second time.  Again don't want to give too much away but let me know if you want more details.

So, then onto Me before You.  Well, what can I say? The second time of reading was as good as the first.  Was the film true to the book? Yes it was, although there was a lot missed out of the film and after reading the book again, I realised how much more I enjoyed the book. I would still recommend seeing the film though.  Some people are film watchers, I am a book reader who enjoys watching films. Maybe it's because reading gives me a chance to step away from real life, use my imagination to picture all the characters and the settings. Take me away to a world so far beyond my own life.  That might sound poncy, but sometimes I need to be taken away from the struggles of being a single parent. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of highs that also go along with it, but a lot of the time it is a struggle and a worry. No one to share things with, good or bad, but the best for all of us.

Anyway, if you want me to write more of a review about the books or anything I've read recently please let me know.  I have read a lot of books ! Mostly easy to read chic-ish books, I don't want anything too heavy keeping me awake at night 😀 I also re read books, not straight away but after a few months or even a year. I do this if I have really enjoyed something, or I need to read but funds are too tight at that moment to buy a book.  Does anyone else do this? A friend of mine says she never re reads a book.

I have to admit, I am a kindle person. I used to read real books, but having the option of on demand reading, being able to have a load of books in one little device and  that you don't have to go to the shop to get the book, is really appealing and I'd say my kindle is one of the best things I have ever treated myself too. In fact I have two ! One is an old paper white type one before they did them with a back light. This is great for reading in the garden as you can read it in the sun as the pages are like paper, it's very clever.  I then treated myself to a kindle fire when they came out, well, probably about a year after they came out when they went down in price.

So, I feel I have kept you long enough and I'm sorry if I have bored you !

See you later Doodlebugs xx

Dishwashergate..... !!!

I was having a chat with a few ladies on Twitter after one of them tweeted about how her kids never clear the table or load this dishwasher.  It appears that it wasn't only her house, but mine and a couple of others also. I'm also sure there are lots more of you out there who also have the same problem when it comes to kids loading the dishwasher or clearing the table. Mine slope off as soon as we have all finished, although I have finally achieved getting them to take their plates to the side next to the dishwasher. You'd think this was an easy task, but no !

The chat got me thinking about my two teens and how easy they have it really. I guess you could call me a softy as I think kids should be kids and enjoy their childhood without having to do too many chores - I'll probably get blasted for that but hey ho ! However, as they are now getting older I don't think loading the dishwasher and clearing the table is too much to ask. I have to add that Teen 1's job on a Monday when he isn't at college is to unload the dishwasher and on a couple occasions has actually unloaded it on a day when he hasn't been asked, you could've blew me down I was so shocked but also very happy. It is taking a long time to drum into him that it is nice to do things for others without being asked and to be thoughtful of others and how they might feel  (unfortunately he doesn't take after my side of the family for being thoughtful of others, luckily teen 2 does!) but I am persevering and it is paying off. It's funny how hard it is to change someone's trait or try and influence them into thinking of others. On Monday Teen 1 also hung out the washing, yes you read that correctly, he hung out the washing !!!!! I did ask him, ( in a text when I was at work!) but all the same he hung the washing out !!!

Anyway I digress. So, yesterday after tea, I decided to leave them too it. I got up from the table and said I'm going to sit in the garden, you two can clear the table and load the dishwasher. Well, their faces were a picture. Rather too quick I thought, Teen 1 appeared in the garden. I asked had he put the pans in the dishwasher too -  pans?!!! was his answer.  When I went into the kitchen a bit later, yes the plates and knives and forks were in there but the pans were still on the stove and odd utensils I'd used were still on the side too. 

So, was it on purpose so I don't ask them again? Who knows, it just confirmed the conversation I'd had with the lovely ladies. I know I will have to persevere but as one of them said, sometimes it's easier to do it yourself ! 

Toddlepip doodlebugs xxx

Ps please don't blast me for being a soft touch 😊 xx

A whole year....

So, its been a whole year since the cat arrived in our garden. She has gone from a timid cat who bolted every time we shut the door to one that will happily snooze on the bed for hours on end ! I remember it being a cold last week of May - not dissimilar to this year in fact ! - it was school holiday week, I had seen her hanging around for a good 3 weeks before I fed her. She was skinny and scruffy and had terribly bad eyes. I went shopping and brought cat food and fed her while the kids were at their dads. She stayed out mostly but Teen 2 coaxed her in gradually. Because she was so scared every time we went to close the door she got scared, but it was soooo bloody cold with the door open we were wrapped in blankets haha the things you do eh?!! One particular night it was so cold and wet and windy I didn't have the heart to make her go outside. I was so scared there would be a little surprise in the morning but much to my delight, all was clean 😊

This is the first photo I took on the first night I let her stay in overnight

Who'd have thought a year later she'd be still here?! We tried to find her owner, advertising on lost and found sites but to no avail so she has stayed with us.  She had terribly weepy eyes when she first arrived which I had to administer eye drops for, not an easy task I can tell you on a timid cat, (Thank you Cats Protection for paying for her vet fees, they were grateful I'd taken her in and was feeding her as there was no room at the inn so to speak) but I persevered and they soon cleared up.

She has certainly made herself at home over the year....

Lovin' the Christmas tree ! 

 

Snoozing 

Bless her, she is such a lovely cat, not trouble at all, well unless you count her sometimes waking me up at 5am, 6.30 and again at 7.30am !! No wonder she looked so confused when I was going to bed at 5am the other morning hahaha. 

We love you dearly Maggie Cat xxxx

Thanks for reading

Toodlepip for now Doodlebugs xx

5 o'clock....... In the morning !!!!!

So, in my last post I said the girls were coming over. We have such a lovely evening, they arrived at about 8pm and I'd made a big jug of Pimms. We sat and chatted and chatted and chatted and ate some nibbles and drank numerous bottles of wine. One minute it was 8pm then it was 11.50pm and then it was 2.50am!!! This was when one of the girls chaps turned up to pick her up. This was the eve I found a new love for Gin, but not the tonic I brought, got a say unfortunately Tesco tonic is not nice. I have since discovered Fever Tree elderflower tonic and also Bottle Green elderflower tonic. I know it is triple the price but why ruin a decent gin with crap tonic haha

At around 4.30am one of the girls said "I can hear the birds waking up, we need to go home" I couldn't believe what time it was. Despite not feeling tired at that moment I can tell you, when my head hit the pillow at 5AM, yes 5AM I was out like a light.  Never in my whole life have I ever been to bed at 5am haha have I had a sheltered life??!!

I just had to take this photo of it getting light when I was going to bed !!

I also took a photo of my new favourite drink !!

Anyway, just wanted to share my latest antics with you all, I'll say toddle pip for now doodlebugs xx

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