A Visit To Old Down Country Park

It's half term.  It's raining.  What shall we do?  How about a trip down memory lane!

Years ago I used to be involved in guiding.  My Mum ran a Brownie pack and I used to help her.  Every year I would attend the pack holiday.  Many times we took the pack to Woodhouse Park in Bristol.  Whilst there we would take the Brownies on a day trip to Old Down Country Park, a place with an adventure playground and lots of farm animals to meet.

The last time we went on one of these pack holidays was 13 years ago now.  Since that time I don't think I've really given one thought to Old Down and I don't think Mum really has either.  However, we were trying to come up with a half term day trip, somewhere we could take a 17 month old and a 5 year old that they would both enjoy.. and Mum suggested: "What about that place we used to take the Brownies?".

Well, today we made that trip!  Old Down Country Park is in Thornbury, Bristol.  It's only about a 45 minute drive away.  It seems crazy that we've not thought about taking the boys before.. The forecast for the day wasn't great, but the thought of spending a day cooped inside with the boys didn't appeal.  We wanted to get out.

We arrived at Old Down to find it VERY quiet.  It seemed that the weather had kept the crowds away.  It has to be said it's a very outdoors place, there isn't much to be done inside.  I supposed that would keep most people away when the rains set in!  However, it worked in our favor.  The fact it was so quiet made it a very pleasant day.  Yes, it was rainy.  It was even cold despite yesterdays attempt at an Indian Summer.  There was plenty for us to see and do and when the cold and rain got too much, the cafe was a welcome retreat.

There are several play areas with a variety of activities; ride on cars, trampolines, swings, climbing frames, play houses, a zip wire.  There are all of the farm animals you'd expect including a gorgeous peacock and very friendly goats!

The cafe is a real winner.  It was lovely and warm inside with two log burners (they only had one on the go and it was very cosy!).  Low lit with twinkly fairy lights and loads of delicious homemade fares, it really made me happy!  We had lunch there and were impressed with the wide choice of food.  Everything we ordered was tasty and didn't take too long to arrive.  We popped back to the cafe in the afternoon to warm up with a hot drink and I was very happy to see a Pumpkin Spice Latte on the menu - yum!  A fantastic cake selection as well.

We loved Old Down.  I had a lovely day with my boys, I feel really happy and content this evening and I just know that I will look back on this day as being a truly happy one.  One of those gorgeous warm memories that you cling to in tough times.  One of those memories you relive again and again.

Thanks Old Down!  We plan to be back soon!

Local Limelight - The Dig For Victory Show

This weekend just gone we visited the Dig For Victory Show at the North Somerset Showground.  What was it, you ask?  Well, it was billed as a "1940s festival" and that sums it up well really.

We weren't sure exactly what we would find but we thought it would be fun to dress up.  Pete wore my Grandpa's old suit.  It was probably more early 1950s rather than '40s but still, an old suit getting some new wear is good!  I wore a vintage looking dress that I thought would look the part and be comfy.  Felix has grown out of his What More Wore vintage look romper so he had to make do with some slightly vintage looking dungarees and a tshirt.  Poor effort on that front!  Ethan rocked a Joules shirt I found in the charity shop, his braces and a pair of shorts from H&M.. and his hat.  I think he looked adorable!

So, what did we find?  Well, there was heaps to do, see and hear.  Thankfully a lot of people had dressed up, not just the folks working there. I think there were fewer people not dressed up actually!  There were so many stalls to look at, we didn't know where to start.  As it was lunch time we thought food would be the best thing to sort out first!

We were spoilt for choice but plumped for two fresh stonebaked Pizzas from Encasta Pizza.  They were yummy but between three of us (Felix was asleep) didn't go very far so Pete and I unfortunately had to try Chilli Dogs from Shakey's Diner! We also sampled some fresh lemonade and a gorgeous mars brownie.  Yum, yum and more yum!

We enjoyed listening to two lovely singers, the Goodnight Sweethearts - they were really good fun!

We had a good rumidge at the vintage stalls.

We loved having a look at the vintage cars and Army memorabilia - Ethan loved hearing an air-raid siren going off and "bombs".

Even the portaloos were nice!  The only difficult part of our day was that Felix was not a happy boy at all.  We suspect teeth - he has 7 all trying to break through at the moment.. 7!!  They are proving very slow to come through though..  It was hard work trying to stay happy and enjoy ourselves when he was screaming away but we made it through.  These things will improve as he gets older!

The show is on again next year I believe so I'm sure we'll be back!  I'm afraid I didn't take as many photos as I'd have liked - I blame the stress of a crying baby!!

Linking up with Coombe Mill for Country Kids.

**What is Local Limelight? I am writing a series of posts featuring local events, places, people etc.  Whenever I do, you will see Local Limelight in the title!**

The National Trust - Getting it right

The National Trust - when you read those words, what does it conjure up for you?  For many, it might evoke long journeys, dusty old houses and cold picnics from the boot of your car.  Those days are long gone, my friends!

I have been visiting National Trust properties for my entire life.  My parents have been members for around 30 years I believe.  We regularly used to visit houses, usually on a Sunday.   I was a funny little child with a bizarre interest in Tudor, Elizabethan and Victorian life so quite often I would find the houses interesting.  My brother on the other hand, used to find the visits mind numbingly boring.  As soon as Mum and Dad mentioned that we'd be visiting a National Trust property at the weekend he's start grumbling and moping.  He used to moan throughout the journey there and have to be dragged around the house.  I have to admit though, there were times I would feel bored as well.

It wasn't just boredom that made these visits tricky.  This is the UK and the weather isn't known for being predicable or all that warm for a lot of the year.  Many houses had few facilities.  We always used to take our own picnic and spend a shivering half an hour camped out beside our car.  Apart from look around the house, there would be very little to do!

Well - fast-forward to now, and haven't things changed!  When we had Ethan, it took a while before we could get ourselves together enough to do anything like leaving the house before 2pm.  There was no way we were going to go out for the day.  As he got a little older though, this started changing.. and we wanted something to do, somewhere to go!  For my husbands birthday one year, my parents bought us National Trust membership.  At first, we weren't sure.  Pete hadn't been to many NT properties as a child and thought it might be boring.  I remembered the NT as it was in my childhood and worried it might not be very child friendly.  Still, the membership was a present and we gave it a go.

We visited Tyntesfield first.  It's our second closest property after Clevedon Court and somewhere we'd wanted to visit after the NT saved it (I remember that well, I helped raise money to save it!).   We were pleasantly surprised by how child friendly the whole set up was.  Gone are the days of an old house with nothing to do.  The NT have really switched themselves on to what families want now.  They have realised that this isn't just something for the parents.  They are making themselves interesting to the children as well.  Which of course benefits the parents. Happy children, happy parents!

Playing with sticks at Tyntesfield, Tickenham, October 2012

Of course, all NT properties are different.  That's where your handbook comes in handy.  Some have a lot less in the way of facilities.  That doesn't mean they aren't worth visiting, it just means a little more organisation on your part.

It doesn't seem to matter where you go though, you are always greeted by a friendly face or 10.  There is almost always a children's activity sheet or at the very least a free sticker (we all know how those work!).  There are often seasonal activities like Easter Egg Hunts.  These do have a small cost, but for a couple of quid, they are very worth it and you always get a prize.

Food Fight! A picnic at Dunster Castle, February 2013

If we ever say to Ethan "Let's go to a National Trust house today!" he doesn't look sad and mope.  He jumps up excitedly and asks us which one "Will it be Tyntesfield, or are we going to one with Peacocks?  Can I have some cake in the cafe?".

Autumn Colours, Stourhead, National Trust, November 2013

We recently visited Montecute House.  I hadn't been since childhood and Pete had never been.  We weren't quite sure what to expect but we were completely bowled over by the facilities.  They have HANDS DOWN the BEST nappy changing facilities I have EVER used.  I am not kidding.  A dedicated room with two changing tables that include mats on them, toys and books for the babies, FREE NAPPIES, WIPES AND CREAM!! Two sinks with hand towels (no crying babies as you shock them with a bloody Dyson hand vac!) and two chairs for sitting on.  I was hugely impressed.

Montacute House - National Trust

It wasn't just the changing facilities.  We were greeted by a lovely lady at the entrance who really engaged with Ethan.  She handed us an activity sheet and asked him to come back and see her at the end of our visit to tell her how he'd done.  Which we did.  She remembered him as well.  It's the personal touch!

The cafe was lovely. We had lunch as a treat which was very tasty and served incredibly promptly by a very friendly lady.  There were plenty of high chairs as well so we didn't have to worry about that.

We visited the house and were again pleased by how friendly the volunteers were.  We were allowed to take our buggy in which was handy because Felix had fallen asleep in it (we had planned to take him in the baby carrier if he were awake).

All in all, it was a truly lovely visit.

The National Trust have recently announced their Top Ten places to spring spot after some research showed that there are benefits to listening to the sounds of spring such as birdsong and lambs, making us feel happy and optimistic (I'd agree with this!).  To celebrate the start of spring last week, the NT commissioned beatboxer Jason Singh to create an album featuring the sounds of spring - I love this idea!  I know Ethan would love it, he likes to try to beatbox himself!!

Now, I expect you would like to know which places made the top ten!

1) Montisfont Abbey, Hampshire

2) Tatton Park, Cheshire

3) Biddulph Grange Gardens, Midlands

4) Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire

5) Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire

6) Batemans, Sussex

7) Sheringham Park, Norfolk

8) Polesden Lacey, Surrey

9) Quantock Hills, Somerset

10) Sugar Loaf & Usk Valley, Wales

Hopefully that list will inspire you to get out and about this spring.  I truly thank the NT for being around.  For saving all these beautiful houses and their grounds, helping us and our children to be interested in history, nature and our surroundings.  A day spent at a NT property is a truly fulfilling one.