• wild flower field ickenham
    days out - Family Life - Hillingdon

    Wild flower meadow Ickenham

    July 4, 2021 - By 

    I was really keen to re-visit the wild flower meadows we discovered in Ickenham last year. I had a few comments about it on my Instagram and wanted to pop over to see if the same fields had been left as wild flower meadows. We’re lucky to have lots of open green spaces in Hillingdon and we all love to see the wild flower verges which have been sown. This year there were red and pink poppies which are now over, but the verges are still full of colourful wild flowers and cow parsley. Wild flower meadow Ickenham Our little…

  • Exploring The Gravel Pits, Northwood
    Family Life - Hillingdon

    Exploring The Gravel Pits, Northwood

    June 27, 2021 - By 

    After 7 years we are still discovering new places on our doorstep. This weekend we explored an area known as The Gravel Pits in Northwood. Exploring The Gravel Pits, Northwood Unsurprisingly the area got its name as gravel was extracted during the time gravel was used for road surfaces. By the late 1890’s the gravel pits at Northwood were described as “worked out” and no more gravel could be extracted. Fortunately this small area remained unbuilt on and became a public amenity for the people of Northwood to enjoy. The woods are dominated by sycamore, ash and common hawthorn, interspersed…

  • Ducks Hill Farm egg vending machine
    Family Life - Hillingdon - Ruislip

    Ducks Hill Farm egg vending machine

    June 19, 2021 - By 

    We love to support local businesses and couldn’t wait to visit Ducks Hill Farm who have just installed an egg vending machine! We couldn’t wait to go and buy some and with Father’s Day coming up we wanted to use the eggs for a special Father’s Day breakfast. Ducks Hill Farm egg vending machine Ducks Hill Farm is based in north Ruislip and sells fresh eggs. They have recently installed an egg vending machine at the entrance to their farm so you can always get hold of their delicious fresh eggs. The egg vending machine is housed in a small…

  • exploring Sutton Hoo with kids
    Family Life - Suffolk

    Exploring Sutton Hoo with kids

    June 10, 2021 - By 

    Earlier this year my daughter was studying the Anglo Saxons during that loooong period of home learning. She learned all about Sutton Hoo and we thought it would be fun to visit the site when travel restrictions eased. So last week we found ourselves in the pretty village of Southwold for a week, with tickets to Sutton Hoo. Exploring Sutton Hoo with kids The Sutton Hoo site is managed by the National Trust and comprises of Tranmer House, the Royal Burial Ground and the High Hall exhibition. Due to current restrictions we had to pre-book our tickets due to restricted…

  • Rendlesham Forest and the UFO trail
    Family Life - Suffolk

    Rendlesham Forest and the UFO trail

    June 5, 2021 - By 

    With a week based in Southwold, Sussex, my husband wanted to spend some time exploring Rendlesham Forest and the UFO trail. Who isn’t fascinated by conspiracy theories and the idea of UFO’s landing in a remote forest right next to an RAF base in 1980’s Britain? It turns out we weren’t the only ones with an interest in the little green men and Forestry England had a handy trail through Rendlesham Forest for those who wanted to find the sites. Exploring Rendlesham Forest It was established during the First World War when Britain had increasing demand for timber and is…

  • Family Life

    AD/5 essentials to pack for half term

    June 4, 2021 - By 

    Our long awaited break is finally here. Like most people in the UK it has been a long time since we enjoyed time away from home, a whopping 9 months! We’re not huge travellers but we do regularly visit family and friends and we’ve all missed visiting them. They say that travel broadens the mind and I have to agree, we’ve all been feeling confined to our local area this last year. We generally start to think about going away in January, it gives us something to look forward to during the dark months, and this year was no exception.…

  • Feel pregnancy supplement
    Family Life

    AD/Feel Pregnancy supplement subscription

    June 2, 2021 - By 

    I’ve always used supplements to enhance my healthy diet and lifestyle. They give me peace of mind that I am looking after myself in a hectic world. As much as I love to plan a range of healthy meals, with two energetic kids I am often grabbing a quick meal on the go, or skipping meals when I have to be in two places at once! I was recently introduced to WeAreFeel who are reinventing nutrition for the modern world. They produce a range of safe and natural multivitamins that arrive at your door exactly when you need it every…

  • Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens
    Buckinghamshire - Family Life

    Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens

    May 21, 2021 - By 

    A few weeks ago we managed to book tickets to visit Chenies Manor and Gardens in Buckinghamshire. This was a place we had wanted to visit for a while, so booked tickets for their special open gardens. Chenies Manor is a gorgeous Grade 1 Tudor mansion house with lovely gardens. Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens We pre-booked our tickets and drove the short distance to Chenies in Buckinghamshire. The village of Chenies is very picturesque and you drive right past the front of the house to get to the car park. The House is currently closed but we were able…

  • How to celebrate Middlesex Day
    Family Life - Hillingdon

    How to celebrate Middlesex Day

    May 14, 2021 - By 

    Did you know that Middlesex Day is celebrated on May 16th? We’ve proudly lived in Middlesex for the last 8 years and are looking forward to celebrating Middlesex Day this weekend. Does Middlesex still exist? A little bit of background – Middlesex is a historic county in southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the ceremonial county of Greater London, with small sections in neighbouring ceremonial counties. The name means territory of the middle Saxons and refers to the tribal origin of its inhabitants. The word is formed from the Old English, ‘middel’ and ‘Seaxe’ (‘Saxons’). Established in the Anglo-Saxon…