Getting out for activities and day trips, how mobility aids can make it easier

AD

Even with lockdown still affecting many areas, getting out and about is all the more important and the benefits of fresh air and a change of scene can really help lift the mood. There are many activities and day trips available, even with the limited facilities in some areas, and the countryside has many options for quiet escapes or opportunities for exploring and exercise.

If you have any type of disability, or you are recuperating from an injury, sometimes it’s not quite as easy to get out and about and it can feel quite isolating when you need equipment and transport to get out of the house. The thought of using mobility aids of any kind is not something you generally search for when you are perfectly fit and healthy, but if there are mobility concerns for some family members, then it’s a good idea to look at the many options available, as they really can help.

It’s not always about the large pieces of equipment, like a mobility scooter or a wheelchair, sometimes it’s the simple travel accessories that make the trip out easier, more comfortable and ultimately safer. Daily Living Aids refer to the tools, gadgets and aids that can be used either in the home, garden, or when travelling. 

Family Fun at Greenwood Forest Park

Named the best family attraction in North Wales for the past 4 years, GreenWood Forest Park caught our eye while travelling around Snowdonia during April. Entry for the four of us would have been just under £40 so for a day of entertainment that's really good value. The setting is very natural and relaxing and dogs are welcome on site too which is certainly a bonus when on holiday with pets.

Aimed more so at younger children, the attraction has a combination of indoor and outdoor play areas plus some furry and feathered friends to see too. It really is a place of adventure, fun and confidence building with the challenges to get involved with. We began our day by going on the Green Dragon Coaster which is a people powered ride, the only world's only, where you can email the snap shot to yourself to print at home for just £1.50 at the end. I thought this was such a great idea!

Family Fun at The Welsh Mountain Zoo

Voted one of the top ten attractions in North Wales, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is a lovely place for a day trip, especially as it reasonably low cost too. For just £38.10 a family of four like ours can spend the day interacting with animals, watching creatures big and small being fed and having lots of outdoor play at the Jungle Adventureland. We have just returned from a holiday at Conwy over Easter and this attraction really appealed to the Mini Mes.

After paying from your vehicle at the entrance you drive around to the car park which is in the centre of the zoo. It's a really picturesque location with some stunning views across the Snowdonia Mountain range, Isle of Anglesey and the coastline. If you don't want to take your car you can always pop on the free mini bus between May and September from the railway station nearby instead however.

Silent Sunday

You can follow me here:

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest

Linked with:

The Baby Show Is Back (and your chance to WIN)

The Baby Show (www.thebabyshow.co.uk) with MadeForMums is the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event, and will be returning to ExCeL London from 20th to 22nd February 2015.

The show is a must-attend event for new and expectant parents providing everything needed for bump, baby and you including all the essentials, alongside the latest, innovative products and not-on-the high street brands. This year it will incorporate The Work & Family Show, which is dedicated to providing expert advice, solutions and ideas for managing work and family life, and helping to kick start careers after having a family.


The Baby Show highlights include:

• Over 200 trusted brands offering visitors the chance to thoroughly test and try before buying.

• Exclusive show offers and competitions from top parenting brands. 

Mini Moment - Wild and Free

The evenings have been so warm over the past few days that it would be a waste not to go out and enjoy them. It may have meant the Mini Mes have had a few later bedtimes but the family fun and memories made have certainly been worth it. As the sun has set we have walked through overgrown fields playing 'I went to the shop and bought', ran around playing tag with each other until we were out of breath (me quicker than the rest) and we have walked the dog for miles.

Feeling the breeze in our hair is quite liberating and it doesn't cost a penny.

Woodland Walks - A Nature Craft

Once the bluebells have been and gone and the green grass is getting wild and long the woodland walk becomes a little eerie. The tree of treasures left by passers by is no longer a cute collection of toys but instead it becomes a spooky bundle of forgotten play-things. 

There is still something beautiful and enchanting about it though...

Win £25 Groupon credit to treat your family this half term!

Keeping your little ones entertained during the half term holidays can be exhausting at times. This funny little Groupon deal offers parents 60 minutes of peace and quiet this half term – something that’s definitely on every parent's wish list!

…while obviously not a real deal, Groupon does offer some brilliant local family experiences and to give you and your family a little treat this half term, we’ve got two bundles of £25 Groupon credit to give away!

WIN Tickets to the London Pet Show (and more) with Zoflora

Zoflora are pleased to be sponsoring the Super Theatre and World of Cats at the London Pet Show this year and to celebrate I have an amazing bundle of goodies to giveaway to one lucky reader!

The London Pet Show takes place at Earls Court One on 17th & 18th May and promises to be even bigger and better than ever before! There is the SuperDogs Live competition hosted by Ben Fogle, rabbit show jumping and even racing micro-pigs to keep you and your family entertained. 

There are hundreds of animals to see including dogs, cats, reptiles, fish and ponies too!

If You Go Down To The Woods Today...

After school on Tuesday we decided to go for a walk around a nearby wood; Badby. 

We popped on our wellies, jumped in the car and set off.

The air was cool and the leaves crackled beneath our boots as we clambered over fallen trees and around flooded streams. It was incredibly wet and muddy!

We walked for 70 minutes in total. It really left us feeling refreshed and we had a great time playing eye spy, squelching through puddles and running with the dog.

It was also great to see that the wands we had created several months ago and left in a spot where other toys had been placed for fairies were still there! 

What outdoor fun have you enjoyed this week?

British Forest Myths and Fairy Tales

Forests have long been held in the national psyche as mystical places of misadventure. Children’s fables and songs back this up, think ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ or ‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’. Center Parcs, who have mastered the forest holiday, think these tales are great and thoroughly love hearing new versions. They have compiled a list of four of their favourite forest fairy tales and deciphered what message they deliver about the forest. They are:

Jack And The Beanstalk – Jack and the Beanstalk is a fable that is basically about the opportunities people must take for self-improvement. Jack and his mother live an impoverished life, surviving on the produce of one dairy cow. The cow stops producing and so Jack is sent to sell it at market. He meets a mysterious man in the woods on the way who trades him three magic beans. These eventually become the giant beanstalk and create his path to unthinkable riches.

What does this say about the forest? The forest serves as a mystical place of opportunity where other worldly goings-on occur. It’s no coincidence that Jack receives the beans in the forest. The story portrays the forest as a valuable and abundant resource where great riches can be found.

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic – So this may strictly not be a fairy tale but it’s definitely a song that is sung to young children regularly. The story starts on a cautionary note warning children to “beware of a big surprise” on entering the woods. It turns out that really the only thing to be cautious of is the teddy bears having a picnic.

What does this say about the forest? The message of this rhyme seems to be double-edged. On the surface this tale seems to be quite terrifying and certainly was the cause of anxiety for me as a youth. The image of bears romping round the forest picnicking on anything that stood in their way was enough to deter shy little me. On the other hand you realise these are actually just teddy bears, the plaything of young children. An image of a young girl hosting a tea party for all her dolls springs to mind and instantly the intimidating image disappears. This song then seems to warn young children of the dangers of playing in the forest but only to a certain extent. On growing older the forest is no longer to be feared but actually enjoyed as an area of play.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears – This is another cautionary tale for young children. It warns them not to play in the woods alone. Goldilocks is often portrayed as being very headstrong, whose only saving grace is her beautiful mane of hair. Impatient with her mother cooking dinner she dashes off alone in the forest. She breaks into the bears’ house and uses or breaks a lot of their possessions. When confronted by the bears she is terrified and runs off home, learning to never play in the woods again.

What does this say about the forest? The message here is quite an obvious one and teaches children not to play in the woods alone. They can be a dangerous place, as many places are for young children. It’s in the description of the bears that we see the tale’s true feelings towards the forest. The bears are often portrayed as homely and loving. Perhaps then the message we can learn from this tale is that in the forest there are many different animals living in harmony. As a person, entering the woods and disturbing their day-to-day life can land you in trouble. Treat the forest with respect.

Robin Hood – The renowned outlaw is as famed for his charitable ways as he is for residing in Sherwood Forest. His acts of gallantry, fighting against the dreaded Sheriff of Nottingham often start from his forest hideout. Robin’s merry men also live with him in the forest.

What does this say about the forest? Robin Hood has its roots in the medieval period where England was often lead by ruthless Kings or Queens with little regard to the common man. The people needed to band together and create their own heroes away from the prying eyes of civil society. The forest works well for this, as the people that work this land every day will know it better than any King or Queen could dream of. The forest then in this tail acts as a blanket masking all the deeds of the common man, united under their self-appointed hero Robin. It also acts as a safe place where the ordinary person can live a life uninterrupted or pestered by the landed gentry. The forest becomes an open society where each man has worth and is respected for his actions and not for his lineage.

-----

These tales tell us a lot about our own attitude towards the forest. On first glance you may think that the over-arching message is to avoid the forest. But I don’t think that’s quite right. I think there’s more to it. I think the forest is portrayed as a risky place, yes, but a place of opportunity. It’s a place where people can reconnect with nature and most importantly enjoy themselves. 

What does the forest mean to you? 

Were you scared of it as a child?

*PR Collaboration*

New Year, New You?

A new year is a fresh start for many of us. We set ourselves goals, create lists of ways to improve ourselves as partners and parents and we think of ways to better our lives in general.... so, what are your resolutions for 2014?

My word for 2014 is GIVING.

Giving more to others

Giving more to myself

Giving more to my family

• I plan to exercise more frequently, improve my diet and indulge a little more when it comes to pampering. I definitely haven't taken care of myself as much as I should've the past few years so it's time to give up neglecting myself and give back to my body.

• 2013 was amazing in terms of family fun. We had several camping trips, holidays, days out and we got stuck in with plenty of baking and crafts. I want this year to be equally as good, if not better, and I'm already booking activities in to look forward to. Giving time to family is so important.

• I'm raising funds for the Lullaby Trust (they provide support for families that have lost a baby) for January by not consuming alcohol or chocolate until February. I'll be doing a variety of things throughout the year to help other worthy causes and I'll also be arranging a raffle for charity.

If you would like to sponsor me you can do so here: www.justgiving.com/theminimesandme2014

What are your hopes for this year?

Saturday Caption

Ever wondered what happens when you spend a day at Motorcycle Live drinking and fall asleep across the entire bed before 9pm? You become my Saturday Caption!

Have you got a caption for a tipsy motorbike mad Mr?

I'd love to hear it!

Have a great weekend

Reasons to Smile... Days out, opportunities and family

I enjoyed a movie and a meal out with the Mr last night. I do love the Mini Mes endlessly but they can be hard work at times (can't all children?) especially when I work from home too. An evening as a couple is appreciated and I would highly recommend seeing Two Guns. My little crush on Mark Wahlberg goes on *blush*.

We are at the zoo today and my mum is joining us. I do love enjoy out with picnics so as long as the weather remains nice it should be a great day. Whipsnade is a favourite of mine!

The opportunities I've had due to blogging have been incredible and I'm now a Prezzybox Pundit and also a Red Hot Ambassador! At the weekend we visited Lollibop too which was a lovely day out for free. I managed to steer clear of the bar and delicious food and I've now lost 14lb in total.

What reasons do you have to be cheerful this week?

Travel Grobag *Giveaway*

The summer holidays nearly always involve travel, whether that's by rail, road or other means, so it's a good idea to have all the essentials before your days out begin. The gro company have created a Travel Grobag which is the hassle-free way to transfer your child from pram to car to cot in comfort.

 

 

The Travel Grobag:

 

• ​100% single cotton layer
• Available in 0-6 mth, 6-18 mth, 18-36 mth, and 3 to 6 year sizes
• Chin guard at top of zip to prevent rubbing
• Easy access travel opening that closes when in use in cot
• Zip-click™ cover stops adventurous little ones from opening their zips
• Machine washable and can be tumble dried on low heat
• Includes FREE Nursery Thermometer with 0-6 and 6-18 mth sizes, user guide and safe sleep information

 

The clever travel opening makes it easy to use with a 5 point harness in both car seats and prams so your child can remain safe and secure while wearing one!

 

 

*** WIN ***

For you chance to win a Travel grobag in Sandcastle Bay you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 5th August 2013.

 

Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

To find out more information on the gro company you can head over to their website:

http://gro.co.uk/

 

They also have new royal versions available!
 

Saturday Caption

 

Is Jamster loving his mint choc chip a little too much?

 

Jamster and Minxy at BeWILDerwood

Have you got a funny, witty or damn right outrageous and rude caption for this picture?

I'd love to hear it!

Have a great weekend!

Summer Bucket List

It won't be long until the summer holidays are here so like previous years we have created our bucket list; things we want to do before the Mini Mes return to school in September.

 

It's a great way to work out in advance how much trips will cost and to plan your activities around the weather forecast. It ensures the Mini Mes are kept busy and happy for the full 6 weeks so there are no (or few) tears and tantrums!

 

Summer 2012

 

 

 

2013 Bucket List

Camping

A day at the seaside

Play croquet

Kite flying

Strawberry picking

Lollibop festival

Bike rides with picnics

Gruffalo wood

Zoo

Farm

Go on a ferry

Water park

Balloon festival

Cinema

Bowling

Thorpe Park

Fair

Theatre

Country park

Badby Woods

Stanwick Lakes

Visit Ducksford, Shoe and History museums

Stoke Bruerne Canals

Make a womery

Make an ant farm

Crabbing

Chessington World of Adventure

Circus

Zorbing

Something for charity

 

 

Last year we managed to do quite a lot of the things on our list but I'm hoping this year we manage to do everything! We will be scrap-booking along the way to record the activities and as lovely keepsake for the memory boxes too.

 

 

 

What is on your summer bucket list?

 

Bank Holiday Family Fun

Hoping to have a fun filled family day out this bank holiday weekend?
These discounts from MoneySupermarket.com may help you save a few pennies in the process!
 

Image source: MoneySupermarket Travel Insurance

 

 

 

Where will you be going this weekend?

 

Pennywell farm and Wildlife Centre

Situated in South Devon, only a few miles from Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, is Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre; a fantastic interactive family day out.

Upon entry you arrive in Pets Corner where you can cuddle up with your favourite smaller sized animals with friendly staff on hand to answer any questions. The Mini Mes thoroughly enjoyed this area (as did I) where they got to hold goats, rabbits and even their famous miniature pigs!

 

The Main Barn next door is where a lot of the activities take place and with it's large seating area there is plenty of room for everyone to get involved. We listened to an informative yet interesting talk on goat milking and then had the opportunity to take part too, earning a stamp for the Mini Mes certificates in the process.

If you collect 6 stamps during your visit a child can enter for free when you return - a great idea!

There is a new activity every half an hour including egg collecting, falconry displays, ferret racing and a family entertainer so there is always something to keep you occupied throughout your trip. We remained in the barn and fed the newborn lambs next which is a truly lovely experience for both young and old. There are plenty of bottles to go round to ensure everyone gets a turn.

All rides are included within the admission charge of £11.95 for adults and £9.95 for children (under 3's go free) which I felt was very good value.

The Tractor and Trailer ride takes you out into the fields where you can look for a variety of animals that are displayed in the trees and bushes. The driver got out briefly to discuss the views and local area.


The Run Rabbit Go Carts are suitable for children aged 8+ as they can pick up speed quite quickly and younger children may struggle to reach the pedals. Minxy and the Mr went on these and had a great time racing under the bridge while Jamster and I cheered them on from above!


The Rainbow Railway is a small train that does several circuits of a track, ideal for the whole family.


The Red Rocket is great fun for those over 4. The two wheeled barrels are pulled along for a bouncy ride!

We wandered around, fussed and fed a variety of animals and groomed some ponies too. There are plenty of sheep, horses, pigs and even deer to get up close to which we all really enjoyed.

Apart from the rides and animals there are trampolines, a play area for under 5's, ride-ons, bouncy castles, sand pits and an assault course to play on. There is a willow maze to explore, a tower with a nice view across the land, a variety of cafes, areas for picnics and pond dipping.

There is plenty to do and see for a full day of fun and I would definitely return again. I would say that Pennywell is the best farm for hands-on fun that I've ever been to!

 

Minxy: "It was awesome! I loved holding the tiny pigs."

Jamster: "The best day ever."

If you wish to find out more about Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre, book tickets, arrange a birthday party or plan a school trip you can head over to their website: http://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/

 

*** WIN ***

 

The lovely team at Pennywell have kindly provided a family pass (2 adults, 2 children) to giveaway so you can have a great family day out too!

 

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below before 18th May 2013.

Good luck!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meal Planning Monday

Woohoo! It's holiday time for us this week and we are heading to Torquay for a few days. I'm hoping the weather remains sunny as it has been over the weekend so we can fully enjoy the local attractions. I have of course packed paper, pens, cards and a variety of toys just in case it does snow/thunder/hail while there but fingers crossed they won't be required!

 Meals for this week...

Quorn masala with naan bread


Yep, that is the only meal that is planned for this week, which we are taking down in the cool bag to eat upon arrival. The rest of the time we will be eating out or picking up what we fancy as and when. I prefer to be relaxed during holidays which includes eating and dieting even if it involves spending a few more pounds.


I'd also like to wish Minxy a very happy 9th birthday today!!

I'm not sure how she has grown from this tiny baby so quickly into my tween princess.
Time goes so fast. Time for another?!...

 

What's on your menu this week?

I'm linking this over with At Home With Mrs M.