We had an amazing time at Parkdean Pendine Sands last weekend. A full write up will follow but for now here are my very favourite snaps from a wonderful weekend.
On the way back for a latest to trip to Jimmys Farm we decided to take a quick visit to Pin Mill on the recommendation of a few friends that had been there recently.
After a short walk across the fields (that could have been avoided if The Essex Husband had sent me to the right car park) we arrived to this view … Read More →
Ever since Jimmy hit our screens in 2004 (10 years ago – man that’s gone quick) I have loved visiting Jimmys Farm to see how things are getting along. We are frequent visors to this great venue (so much so we now have an annual pass). There is so much on offer for families and I love how many opportunities there are for children to get ‘hands-on’ with nature and farm life. You really do get a much more authentic farm experience at Jimmys than many other open farms.
Our first stop was the nature trail. What a beautiful day we had for it… Read More →
Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know I am huge advocate of the ‘there is more to Essex than TOWIE’ movement. Don’t get me wrong, TOWIE has a place in my heart, and has boosted the local economy no end by increasing our visibility as a tourist destination, but for me the real Essex is one of countryside and natural beauty.
About 20 minute drive from me are the RHS Hyde Hall gardens. I have lived in the area five years now but, until last week, had never visited Hyde Hall gardens. Oh my goodness, how had I gone so long without seeing this place? It was brilliant. Read More →
How well do you know your UK holiday destinations? More and more families are opting to holiday at home than ever before. It keeps travel times down, helps the local economy and can be an awful lot cheap than a week abroad in the sun somewhere.
How Well Do You Know Your UK Holiday Destinations?
Parkdean Holidays have designed a fun little quiz to test your knowledge of UK holiday destinations. The quiz is simple to do, you just have to choose the holiday pictures you think are from the UK holiday destinations (harder than it sounds), and then at the end you’ll be given a score of how well you have done. I scored 123 (which could do with some improvement!) – looks like I need to visit some more UK holiday destinations to brush up on my knowledge.
For an added bonus, everyone who completes the UK holiday destinations quiz Read More →
Easter at Willows Farm in Hertfordshire is AMAZING. I’m talking, back to your childhood, still believing in Easter bunnies kind of amazing.
Aside from the many animals and free rides you always find there, Easter at Willows Farm also brings with it Egg hunts, bunnies trails and the cutest little newborn lambs and piglets you ever did see.
After starting 2014 in my other favourite city, NYC, it was good to get my feet back on home soil last week. One of the joys that my job brings is I can do it anywhere. Yes, it may not be conducive to the perfect work-life balance to work when I’m away, but it is conducive to my bank balance. And a healthy bank balance means lots of holidays. So there is a method in my madness somewhere.
While I was away I received an invite to One Canada Square Restaurant in London’s iconic Canary Wharf for the Saturday after my homecoming. What more perfect way to get back into London life than Brunch with two of my besties, Ruth and Katy, and a whole host of other amazing twitter folk in the heart of the city. Naturally my answer was yes.
Essex And The City – Friday 22nd January 2014
Roll up, roll up - Camp Bestival 2014 theme announced in style.
The theme for next years festival, taking place from July 31 to August 3rd, will be Circus
You can see the Camp Bestival 2014 theme announced in style below Read More →
Christmas In London, the most magical place on Earth. There is enough festive cheer hidden amongst the lights and window displays to soften even the most grumpiest of grinches.
Spending a day in London seeking out our favourite Christmas lights and displays is fast being a family tradition at Essex HQ. This year we have added a new string to our festive bow with the addition of a visit to the theatre to top off what is a wonderful day of family fun.
Stick Man Leicester Square Theatre
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson, former Children’s Laureate, this theatre adaptation is a wonderful children’s production that, with a little artistic license here and there, transfers the story of Stick Man and his Lady Love beautifully on to the stage.
A simple set, music performed live by one of the cast members and great interaction between the actors and audience all combine to create a engaging, awe-inspiring, magical performance that kept the attention of my little ladies for the whole running time of just under an hour.
‘Stick Man lives in the family tree
With his Stick Lady Love
and their stick children three…’
But the outside the family tree the world is a dangerous place for a Stick Man. Dogs want to play fetch with him, swans build nests with him and then he ends up buried in the snow! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree? Luckily there is a man in Red on hand to save the day!
Aged four and two, my girls are old enough now to sit still for a period of time, making them the prime age to introduce to the wonder of theatre. This Scamp Theatre production was a great starting place, its perfect for young children and grown-ups alike.
Stick Man Leicester Square Theatre is running until Sunday 5th January 2014 - I cannot recommend a visit highly enough.
****Ticket Giveaway**** An Essex Wife in offering you the chance to Win Tickets To Stick Man At Leicester Square Theatre - ends 5th December 2013
We were given complimentary tickets for this performance of Stick Man Leicester Square Theatre but all views are my own.
Fun at Jimmy’s Farm this half term is guaranteed.
Not only will there be plenty of autumn adventures to be discovered and Halloween screams to be had, Mr Doherty and his gang are now offering even more half term fun at Jimmy’s Farm with a meet, greet and book reading from author and illustrator, Emer Stamp and her debut book The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig.
This great half term fun at Jimmy’s Farm starts at 10am on November 2nd with story telling, biscuit decorating and illustration lessons (there will also be the monthly farmers market running on that day too) and at 11am children are welcome to create a GIANT portrait of Pig out of hay in one of Jimmy’s fields!
If you do visit Jimmy’s Farm this half term the fun doesn’t stop there. Alongside the free den building and fishing lessons you may even be lucky enough to spot their new addition to the nature trail, Reindeer.
There are also hourly interactive animal experiences throughout half term at Jimmy’s Farm so the fun never has to stop.