Many years ago now we were members of Chester Zoo and would visit 2 or 3 times each month. Even though we then lived in Dewsbury, the 2-hour(ish) drive there didn’t bother us. But now we live in rural North Yorkshire and we have a zoo practically on our doorstep – Flamingo Land. When we […]
It is a gift to have a child in your life. They can bring so much to your world, throughout various aspects of life. Alas, it’s also true that we sometimes only appreciate the magic of having a son or daughter in our life much later in life. This is understandable; after all, life can […]
You may have sussed me out by now – I love the North York Moors. We lucky to live on the very edge (not quite inside) and it’s a place we visit and explore quite often. There’s so much to see and do, and at this time of year it’s seems just that little more […]
On this day, 24th August, next year our eldest daughter will collect her GCSE results. It might seem odd to be looking so far into the future but the reality is that it will be upon us before we know it. She has a huge year ahead of her so I thought it would be […]
Bolton Abbey, on the River Wharfe in Yorkshire Dales, is a tourist magnet and rightly so. It is a stunningly beautiful place with an awful lot to see and do if you, like us, enjoy the great outdoors. This past weekend we visited for the first time in rather a long time. Disclaimer: We were […]
Have you ever tried reading Shakespeare? Honestly, have you? Well, I have and I find it tedious! Plays are meant to be performed in my opinion, not read. Getting kids to read Shakespeare is even harder, but inspiring them to be interested in his work is easy – take them to see Billy Shakes: Wonderboy! […]
William Shakespeare, arguably the most famous playwright there ever was. Surely everybody has heard of him and is aware of at least one piece of his work? After all, studying a Shakespeare play is pretty much mandatory for GCSE English literature in the UK. But I confess, I am not really a fan – or […]
The old saying that “the best things in life are free” is true. Honestly, it is. I’m not talking about things you are given or #gifted, I’m talking about the things you can do that don’t cost you any money. Last night was one of those times – a simple couple of hours spent in […]
We recently had the pleasure of visiting Monk Park Farm. In fact, we visited in April and more recently this past weekend. A visit to a play farm is like a right of passage for any parent – I am yet to find one that hasn’t taken their little cherubs to one. Who doesn’t love […]
Lotherton Hall in north Leeds used to be somewhere we would take the girls a couple of weekends each month. Before the pricing policy change in 2011 we would go there and park for the day for about £5 and have access to the playground, countryside walks, the gardens and the bird gardens. It’s a […]
