Snowdrops at Hodsock

We visited the Snowdrops at Hodsock Priory several years ago and I have been desperate to go back ever since.

After a terrible time with rain last year the gardens were only open for a couple of weeks, so we made the most of an inset day just before half term and headed there for a few hours.

With the sun shining and the weather most inviting it felt like the perfect opportunity to go. And we weren't disappointed, the wind blew through the trees and the sun shone making it a very tranquil place to sit and reflect.

There is a small cafe in the centre of the woods with a log fire burning throughout the day, the smell of which wafted through the woods and made for a very back to nature experience.

My daughter wore her bridesmaid skirt from my brother's wedding last year and everyone stopped to comment on the small fairy princess darting through the trees and snowdrops.

Hodsock and the Snowdrops was one of my grans favourite places to visit, she loved those tiny delicate white flowers so it felt like we were there to walk amongst them with her.

Whilst the snow drops are now gone for another year the Bluebells at Hodsock will be making an appearance any time soon and they will be open again for a few days. So if you are local to the area or simply fancy a drive to some escape the hustle and bustle of life then do have a look.

With the Harley Gallery, Welbeck Farm Shop and Cressswell Crags a short drive a way this area is teeming with things to do.

Meeting the Vikings at Sherwood Pines

Living on the outskirts of North Nottingham gives us easy access to lots of places to visit; everywhere from Newstead and Rufford Abbeys to Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Pines.

These are all great places for fun activities, and this month has seen us visit Sherwood Pines to meet and greet some Vikings. Well not real ones, but as close as we will ever get without boarding a long boat time machine.

With a camp set up in the forest and a battleground recreation in full flow, it was a great way to see how they might have lived all those years ago.

The children were quite excited about the fighting, although it wasn't real it at least gave us an idea of the kinds of weapons the Vikings used and the strategies they would have taken. It would have been a gruesome time, especially as they didn't really have much in the way of armour.

There was an example of a long boat and you could smell the camp before you saw it. The wonderful smell of wood burning on the camp fires wafted through the air as the Vikings prepared a lunchtime feast.

We got to see how they would have lived in the camp, what they would have traded and made themselves.

We watched make a bowl out of wood using a bow lathe, a tool that dates back to Egyptian times. We were all impressed at how long this method had been used, in fact it was used up until the 60s.

It was fun to see how they would have lived in the Viking times, even more fun to have a go. We churned some butter, had a go at grinding some wheat to make flour and watched them making glass beads in a furnace.

This was a fantastic day out that brought history to life in a way that TV and books just don't cut it. Experiencing the sounds, the sights and the smells and getting to be a part of the making and creating process is one of the the best way to learn, I have found.

Our First Ever No School Snow Day

I have been meaning to write up our snow day for the last few weeks but time has kind of run away with me.

On the Thursday we woke up to a thick blanket of snow. Hoping for a snow day we waited and waited for school to message to say they were closed, we were ready and waiting by the door to head out when they finally messaged us at 8.05.

We quickly changed and headed out into a winter wonderland, stomping through the snow drifts and catching the snow flakes as they fell from the sky.

We headed down the hill to the local park, since this is the first snow we've had at our new house it was the first time we had been there for some snow fun.

I had expected it to be really busy but had forgotten it was only about 8.30, so we had the slope to ourselves for a while and had lots of fun sledging and sliding down the hill.

Afterwards we walked across the beautiful white field on freshly laid snow to the park, the kids had fun pushing the swings and throwing snow, it is however possible to have the wrong type of snow for snowballs and this was it.

 



On the Friday we headed up to the field behind our house, i'd seen on our community Facebook page that there were some really big snow drifts against the hedges. The kids weren't up for it to begin with as they just wanted to sledge, but once we got up there they were super excited by the deepest snow I have seen in years and certainly the deepest snow they've ever seen.

It was about four foot deep in places, we all had lots of fun falling through the soft snow up to our knees and for the kids up to their waist, we even found a little igloo that someone had dug into the snow.

The wind made it bitterly cold which made heading back to the warm house even more comforting, hot chocolates and snuggling up to watch films was certainly the order of our Snow Days.

As much as I enjoyed our Snow Days I have to say I am looking forward to warmer weather.

Beautiful Winter Light at Rufford Abbey

Last weekend we headed to Rufford Abbey for a walk to blow away the cobwebs. I love Rufford, it is a beautiful place that my children and I have spent many hours visiting.

With the sun low in the sky it created wonderfully atmospheric conditions for some beautiful winter photos of my two favourite people and our one of our favourite places to visit.

Here are just a few and I think you'll agree this time of year is the most perfect for some wonderful pictures with the most beautiful winter light.

Where is your favourite place to blow away cobwebs?

Cinderella at the Nottingham Playhouse - Review

Last weekend we were invited to see the opening night of Cinderella at the Nottingham Playhouse.

If you grew up in Nottingham, then chances are you will have seen the panto at least once.  For me, it was a school trip that first took me to see it. I remember a few of the school years going to see it, sat on a steamed up bus trying to get through the traffic on a cold December night. Everyone super excited to have seen the play and hyped up on sweets.

The glitz of the costumes, the sounds, the singing and most of all the wonderfully adapted stories are what make this a great show. When I used to go the it starred Kenneth Alan Taylor, he has passed the baton on to the fabulous John Elkington but is still a huge part of the panto, writing and directing what was a spectacular show from start to finish.

I was as excited as the children to see the panto, having not been back since my younger days, it was a treat for us all including my mum who came with us.

As the curtains raised and the dancing animals appeared on the stage my daughters face lit up, she was in total awe at the spectacle before her, the costumes were amazing.

Buttons arrived on stage, he was enigmatic and got us all looking after his apple….a gift for Cinderella. 

We meet Cinderella, Dandini, Prince Charming, The Ugly Sisters, Duchess Dowager Devilla, lots of woodland creatures and of course the Fairy Godmother.

With so many special effects, bangs, flashes and the most wonderfully detailed costumes it had us on the edge of our seats.

There were lots of modern songs to keep it entertaining for all ages, they even got us dancing at one point. It really is the best way to get into the festive mood and with Christmas songs interspersed throughout, it was hard not to get excited.

I don’t want to spoil it by giving away the songs so I won’t, all I can say is that the show is well worth the money and I think this may very well be our new Christmas tradition.

There are several performances of the panto with seats to suit all budgets, I can also highly recommend the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse in the Nevill Studio next door. Aimed at children from 3-8, we have been the last few years and they are an absolutely amazing immersive experience for the children and a great way to get them into theatre.

We were given two complimentary tickets to the show for the purpose of this review, all words and opinions are my own. Photos by Robert Day. 

Santa Comes to Town on a Big Red Christmas Bus

Last year we were invited to see Santa on his Big Red Christmas Bus at the Giltbrook Retail Park in Nottingham.

This weekend he is back and one again, we were invited to see him.  Suspecting that this will most likely be the last year of believing for my son, I said yes.

I know it is a bit early too, but with the children only being with me every other weekend I took the opportunity to start the Christmas fun a bit earlier.

The great thing about Giltbrook is that it is out of town, meaning no parking fees, yet plenty of great places to get some shopping done too.

As we waited to board the bus I could sense the excitement in the children, as the sound of Michael Buble drifted through the air I could feel myself getting into the spirit too.

Once you step onto the bus, there is a crafting area where children can write a card to Santa with what they would like for Christmas.

Then you are invited up one family at a time to see Santa, in what can only be described as a magical wonderland. With it cold outside, it certainly did feel like we were edging closer to Christmas, apparently it's only six weeks away!

Once up stairs the Jolly Fellow welcomed us and announced he'd been waiting to see us.  He asked the children if they'd been good and what they'd like. He was a wonderfully kind Santa who listened intently to what they'd both like for Christmas.

Once they'd told him what they'd like (one thing each, bless them) Santa gave them each a little gingerbread snow globe, a lovely touch and something they can both treasure.

If you are around the Nottingham are this weekend, then I can highly recommend a trip to Giltbrook Retail Park.

The Big Red Bus is free to enter and is open on 11th and 12th November between 10am and 6pm (Saturday) and 11am and 5pm (Sunday).  If you get a bit peckish there is also the Crepe Cabin and Street Diner for some yummy food.

This is a collaborative post, all words and images are my own.

Sunsets in Norfolk

Norfolk is one place I have never been before, but with so many people telling me what a beautiful part of the country it was I decided to give it a go for our holiday this year.

My children knew nothing about the trip and even on the day we went I had kept it a secret, only letting on we were staying away for a week when we were half way there.

As we pulled into the caravan park they squealed with glee at the thought of staying there for a week, announcing that I was the best mummy ever.

Who knew that my choice would create such a reaction, with a pool, amusements and a short walk to the beach their little hearts were full to bursting with excitement.

We headed to Heacham just down from Hunstanton, it is one of the only places on the East coast that you get to watch the sun set into the sea. And what a sunset it was, we ventured down the first night after some tea and played on the beach as the sun lowered itself into the sea in a blazing orange and blue glory.

The children built sandcastles and found a dead crab which they named and then buried in the sand, I love how they are both confident enough to pick the crab up and investigate it.

We didn't manage to make it down to the beach until a few nights later and I just love the difference in the sunset, from one cloudy sunset where the sky lit up orange and blue to another where the sky became a wonderful warm glow like the sky was on fire.

My children making beautiful dark figures standing on the waters edge, there heads resting on one another made my heart melt and for that moment I could of stayed like that forever. Never letting go of the sounds of the beach and watching as so many people stood cameras ready absorbing the wonderful sight that is the sun setting.

They were without a doubt the most stunning sunsets I have ever seen and watching them with my two most favourite people only made it better. I love watching sunsets, each one as magnificent and yet completely different as the last, it made me realise how few beautiful sunrises I see and that I need to change that this year.