Cuisine & Culture the Chinese Family Way
The sun is out, and just in time for the Easter weekend! With the lovely weather, we decided to visit the National Forest Adventure Farm. As we arrived, the car park was really full. Luckily, we managed to park without having to walk too far. There were so many activities like Easter treasure hunt, Easter Eggspress, lamb feeding and many more! They also have plenty of indoor soft play areas that are suitable for various ages.
Drayton Manor, home of Europe’s only Thomas Land™ has officially opened its popular magical winter wonderland Christmas event with fireworks! Following Thomas Land’s £2.5 million expansion in the spring, this year’s Magical Christmas promises to be bigger and better than ever, with over 25 rides and attractions to enjoy, such as new arrivals Flynn the Fire Engine and Captain’s Sea Adventure.
Even though it was raining cats and dogs yesterday, it didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves at the National Forest Adventure Farm. They have plenty of indoor soft play areas that are suitable for ages. Also, the Halloween activities like the Scare School, Broomstick Training, and Witch Whispers take place in the indoor Courtyard café area.
Last week, we were invited to test out the Playmobil Super 4 Treasure Hunt before it opened to the public on Monday 19th October 2015 right up to Christmas. We were also invited to be part of their promotion. As you can see, Ms C was very thrilled to stand next to Twinkle!
In my earlier posts, I mentioned that we went to the Moor Valley Country Park and Southbourne beach during the summer holidays. Another place we went to was the RockReef Activity Centre on Bournemouth Pier.
Both my children are into rock climbing and we haven’t had much opportunity to take them. Whilst on holiday, we came across RockReef Activity Centre on Bournemouth Pier. We did a bit of research while eating our lunch and phoned them as their website didn’t give us enough information about the activities before we booked it online (small saving if booking online).
On our last week of the holidays, we spent some days down south in Dorset at a caravan site. At the same time, we took the opportunity to visit an old friend of my husband’s in Southbourne beach. We were so lucky with the weather as it was so warm and sunny!
Early this week, we went down to Ringwood for a short holiday and we were not far from Moors Valley Country Park. It is very well signposted with plenty of car parking spaces. Do remember the name of your parking zone! It is written on the coloured wooden leaves.
This was our first time there and both children were thrilled when they were told there are lots of climbing frames and playgrounds. We first went to the play areas which are split into two different sections – Castle and Sandworks for younger children and the Adventure Area with zip wire, space net and forts for older children.
Last week, we finally went to Ripley’s Believe it or Not in London. We have walked past it many times but have never had a chance to visit. Ripley’s is situated right by Piccadilly Circus Underground Station which has services from both the Piccadilly Line and the Bakerloo Line. Upon arrival at the tube station, use Exit 4 to Coventry Street. It is really easy to find!
Do you know what beautiful cause is behind the Shaun in the City? From 6th July to 31st August, Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Foundation have organised bringing 70 b-ewe-tiful giant Shaun the Sheep sculptures, created by artists, designers and celebrities, to iconic locations and green spaces across Bristol for the public to enjoy. You still have time to visit Bristol and find the flocks of Shauns! After the end of August, they will go to auction later in the year to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and funds raised from the 50 London sculptures will benefit Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Charity, supporting children in hospitals and hospices across the UK.
We love visiting Drayton Manor Theme Park as it is only 20 minutes away from our home. It is well signposted and easy to access. Last week, we went in quite late in the morning and we were parked on the other side of the park. We hadn’t parked over the other entrance before but it is great that no matter how far we seemed to park our car, we are still very near to the park.
To mark the 70th birthday of the world famous Staffordshire brand JCB, National Adventure Farm have teamed up with them for their 12th annual maize maze. This year in their 10 acre JCB Maize maze, it will feature an intricate design of a huge JCB digger and include three miles of pathways, viewing towers and bridges to navigate. You can either take part in the maze trail to collect the parts needed to build a JCB or a shorter mini maze in the shape of the JCB logo.
This summer until 31st August 2015, Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre will feature a LEGO® City Deep Sea Experience where little visitors can take part to explore the secrets of the ocean and to become an official LEGO Explorer.
A few weeks ago, we went along with the Aiming High group hosted by the Staffordshire County Council to a pottery painting class at the Crackpotz Ceramic Café. This was my children’s first time painting pottery and they were both very excited.
It was not far from our home and it didn’t take us long to reach there but having lived here for a while, I had not been to this small village in the countryside before. It was delightfully peaceful too!
After we arrived, both children were asked to choose the ceramic pottery they would like to decorate. Ms C went for cat while Mr K went for shark. Next they started painting it.
Conkers is a great family-friendly centre, in the National Forest with indoor and outdoor play areas, discovery zones and an amphitheatre. This coming 13th July 2015, they will open the High and Low ropes course which we are looking forward to go on. The High Ropes course has 15 aerial sections to complete while the Low Ropes course are for junior visitors to take on 10 different elements of adventure.
Although it rained non-stop, it didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves with the Bush Craft Survival session, Barefoot Challenge and other outdoor activities. After meeting up with others, we were divided into groups and were given a map to locate our own survival equipment.
Recently, I was invited by my children’s school to make a short video clip on their Multi Faith school trip. We are hoping to use the brief introduction video to show parents what the trip is about and to educate children who will be going in the near future.
