• a trip to Ray Mill Island and Boulter's Lock
    Berkshire - days out - Local Review

    Ray Mill Island and Boulter’s Lock, Maidenhead

    August 4, 2020 - By 

    Last weekend we were looking for somewhere new to take the children and the puppy. We ventured a little further afield than normal, yet still only 30 minutes from where we live, and found the delightful Ray Mill Island and Boulter’s Lock, Maidenhead, Berkshire. A pretty place on the Thames with a little cafe, perfect for a picnic and a little boat watching. Ray Mill Island and Boulter’s Lock This little island in the Thames is in Maidenhead. The island’s name dates from when the Ray family managed a flour mill there. There is no car park on Ray Mill…

  • 6 things to do with kids in Hillingdon this summer
    Family Life - Hillingdon

    6 things to do with kids in Hillingdon this summer

    July 31, 2020 - By 

    The school holidays are not what we were expecting but we still need to make the most of it. We’ve lived in the London Borough of Hillingdon for over 6 years now and are still discovering wonderful new places to explore. We live in north of the borough and have already shared our 10 favourite places to visit in Ruislip this summer, so today I’m sharing our favourite places to visit in Hillingdon (and if they have re-opened). 6 things to do with kids in Hillingdon this summer Top of my list would have been the Battle of Britain Bunker…

  • Exploring Pynchester Moat, Ickenham
    days out - Hillingdon - Local Review - London

    Exploring Pynchester Moat, Ickenham

    July 18, 2020 - By 

    Now lockdown is easing we don’t seem to be exploring as much as we were. We can go further afield and more attractions are opening up, which means we are going further for our days out. On one of our many puppy walks/geocaching expeditions we came across Pynchester Moat in Ickenham. We went on a lovely sunny evening and it was the perfect length of walk for our pup. Exploring Pynchester Moat, Ickenham The moated site known as Pynchester lies in a bend of the River Pinn, behind houses in Copthall Road West and just within Harefield Parish. It’s a…

  • Exploring Denham & Denham Country Park with kids
    Buckinghamshire - days out - Hillingdon

    Exploring Denham & Denham Country Park with kids

    July 1, 2020 - By 

    We have explored so many amazing places that I feel like I will never get a chance to write about them all. It seems weeks ago since we made it to exploring Denham Country Park with the kids. It’s another one of those places right on our doorstep which me had never got around to visiting, until now. Exploring Denham Country Park with kids We’re lucky to have a few Country Parks within easy reach of us, definitely one of the perks of living on the outskirts of London. Whilst we haven’t been able to enjoy a trip into the…

  • poppy fields near Welwyn, Hertfordshire
    days out - Hertfordshire - Local Review

    A trip to the poppy fields near Welwyn, Hertfordshire

    June 12, 2020 - By 

    Our council always plant wild flowers around where we live and this year they included some gorgeous colours of poppies. We keep meaning to stop so a can take a closer look. A few days ago a friend posted some beautiful photos of her boys visiting fields of poppies near London and we decided we should visit the poppy fields too. When are poppies in season in the UK? Poppies are annual plants with some seedlings germinating when soil is cultivated or disturbed. There can be rapid growth between April and June, and the first flowers usually appear in June.…

  • Exploring the film character statue trail in London's Leicester Square
    days out - Family Life - London - Sculpture trails

    Exploring the film character statue trail in London’s Leicester Square

    March 1, 2020 - By 

    We love a public art trail. They are are a great way to encourage my kids to walk and it’s been a while since we explored the Walking with the Snowman public art trail at London Bridge City last year. Today we spent a day in London as we were invited to watch a preview of My Spy (it’s a really funny film and I will be telling you all about it soon). Whilst we were in London we made a visit to the Lego Store and had time to explore the new film character statue trail in London’s Leicester…

  • A new location for The Handmade Festival
    Crafts for adults

    The Handmade Festival With Kirstie Allsopp

    February 15, 2020 - By 

    September update – sadly The Handmade Festival has been cancelled due to the current situation. Workshops will be help online instead. Find out more on their website. Living in London I’m surrounded by amazing craft events and workshops. I’m pretty picky about the ones I will go to though and spend my hard earned cash on. Location is really important for me though and last year I only went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Ally Pally. I really wanted to go to the Handmade Festival, what was the Handmade Fair, but trains weren’t running to Hampton Court and…

  • Paws For Thought - Romsey's {kid friendly} Cat Cafe
    Family Life

    Paws For Thought – Romsey’s {kid friendly} Cat Cafe

    January 2, 2020 - By 

    My son has been asking to get a cat for a few months now. We used to have two cats, who sadly died, and have been thinking of getting another pet. I thought it would be an adventure to visit a Cat Cafe over the holidays. I love the idea of a cafe where you could enjoy tea and cake whilst enjoying the company of a cat. I had previously visited Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London (nearly 2 years ago) but unfortunately they didn’t allow children. Paws For Thought – Romsey’s {kid friendly} Cat Cafe It took me a…

  • Walking with The Snowman trail, London Bridge City 2019
    days out - Family Life - Local Review - London - Sculpture trails

    Walking with The Snowman trail, London Bridge City 2019

    December 31, 2019 - By 

    We’ve been wanting to get out to explore the latest art trail in London for a while. Did you know there was a Snowman art trail in town this winter?  This year, London’s most picturesque Christmas market, Christmas by the River, has welcomed a festive sculpture trail celebrating Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. The Snowman story has been an integral part of our book advent for a few years now. We love the story and have enjoyed the animated version to over the last few weeks. So when I heard there was an art trail dedicated to The Snowman I knew…