Giss a Kiss...

Further greetings from Somerset, where we have been visiting the family...erm not the humped- back kind...but my in-laws in Bristol. Some might ask what's the difference, but I am lucky that 21st C Dad is blessed with kindly relatives.

We've had a fabulous time meeting up with the family at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, just off the M5, outside Bristol.

There was lots to do...

including this...

and this....

...plus a very bumpy tractor ride and lots of play in the the indoor barn, plus an animal show, with the opportunity to stroke a snake and an alligator.

See you again soon...21st Century Mummy xxx

P.S. Did I mention the alpacas in the field at the bottom of our garden....they are sooooooo cute. I will miss them when we leave.

Wookey Hole...Revisited

A Return to Childhood Memories

Today 21st C Dad and I took the children to Wookey Hole, a place which we had both visited during our childhood during the 1970s and 80s. Between us we recalled the memories of the network of showcaves, the witch that had been turned to stone, the paper mill and the collection of Madame Tussauds' waxwork heads!

We couldn't spend a week in Somerset without another visit to relive our childhood experiences.

Wookey Hole in the 21st Century is a whole new experience. Set in a village, a few miles out of Wells, Wookey Hole looked all too familiar upon our arrival. However, as soon as we got out of the car and trekked up to the entrance, the differences began to emerge.

We were initially met by a purple witch, advertising a range of in-house entertainment events that were taking place throughout the day. I certainly don't remember hosts of the witch variety in the 1970s...maybe they only come out for Halloween...

While queuing for our tickets I noticed that the ghastly Self-Service Restaurant, which served bland food in the 70s, has thankfully now closed and has been replaced by the Big Top restaurant in the centre of the complex.

Our tour began with a visit to the caves and was both entertaining and interesting, with a guide who had a wonderfully dry sense of humour. 21st Century tours now include more clever lighting than once was available in the past and enabled us to come face to face with the real witch of Wookey Hole.

Wookey Hole caves now also stores Cheddar Cheese for a range of supermarkets and is consequently sold as Cave Aged Cheddar. The cave tour now includes a walk past the Cheese Cellar, so non-enthusiasts of the smell of mature cheese should take note and remember a nose-peg for future tours.

After a walk through a concrete tunnel, which is now decorated with beautiful recreations of cave paintings...

...the tour leads into the familiar exit, with a view of the river flowing out from the caves.

Familiarity didn't stay with us for long, as we turned and followed a path into Dinosaur Valley, an exhibition of dinosaurs and other creatures, including my favourite...a huge woolly mammoth...

The tour then leads into the old Paper Mill building, which now plays host to exhibitions about the Wookey Hole caves as well as the history of making paper. Paper making demonstrations were available as well as other fun activities including, climbing frames and a Victorian arcade full of ha'penny machines. There was also a hall of mirrors and a mirrored maze, which was excellent.

Sadly, as a result of change in ownership the Madame Tussauds collection of heads no longer exists, which was a disappointment. However, one of the latest features that has been added to the attraction is a theatre, where Wookey Hole organisers are able to put on performances tailored to the seasons. Today, we were entertained by a fabulous troupe of young performers who showed off their acrobatics and circus talents focusing on a Halloween theme. The children were fantastic and put on a thoroughly entertaining performance, which is well worth a repeat visit.

Wookey Hole Revisited did give me plenty to think about, especially how the passage of time goes so quickly. When I visited as a child, I never once considered how I would be returning several decades later with my own children.

I remember my excitement then. However, it seems nothing compared with the excitement of my two children today. I initially complained at the price of a family ticket at £38 for a day's pass. However, tight-fisted old me has come around to the wonderful value that it represented, resulting in a very memorable family day out.

On the subject of money, here is something that I picked up at the Paper Mill exhibition....one last thing upon which to ponder no matter what century one might live in....

ADDENDUM - I have since discovered that Wookey Hole was once owned by Madame Tussauds, hence the connection with the Head exhibition. Its current owner is Gerry Cottle of Circus fame, which accounts for the development of the new theatre attraction. More information about the history of the caves can be found here.

Postcard from...Somerset

Greetings from Wrington in North Somerset...

...where we are have a fantastic half-term, testing out the cider, catching up with relatives (more on that in another post) and visiting some really great attractions.

So far we've enjoyed the jumicar experience at Puxton Park where children aged 6-12 can try their hand at driving mini-cars and learn about road safety. Our own 6 year old has had the most fabulous time driving his little brother around the roads, taking note of the traffic lights and give-way signs.

Puxton Park itself is just off Junction 21 of the M5 and is a fantastic stop-off point for holidaymakers en route to or from Devon or Cornwall. It has a great farm shop and restaurant as well as a play barn and extensive garden. Beware, the very well equipped play barn is expensive as not only is the entrance fee £6.50 per child, but adults are also charged an entrance fee of £4.50 per person. However the farm shop is second-to-none and is well stocked with a wide range of local and organic produce and includes an award winning butchers.

The expensive introduction to Somerset was balanced out with a cheap visit into Bristol to check out previously unexplored and interesting highlights, including....

The *FREE* children's play park at Hengrove Leisure Park...

...and then a visit to Bristol's CREATE Centre, an environmental centre which also incorporates a purpose-built eco-home.

Following lunch at CREATE's excellent and inexpensive cafe, we took a brief walk to take in the interesting local urban sights...

...whilst pondering upon the info that Bristol's waste is sent by rail all the way to Calvert in Buckinghamshire.

Anyway, wish you were here....to enjoy the Scrumpy...lots of love 21st Century Mummy xxx

Before the bon voyage

This weekend we are visiting France to go to my niece's christening. So please excuse the lack of blog activity today, as I will be a bit busy...

taking one child to nursery
drying kids' clothes
ironing
packing
ironing
packing
washing 21st C Dad's socks
drying his socks
washing my clothes
drying my clothes
getting cases from loft
ironing
packing
ironing
packing
checking the checklist (passports, booking reference, insurance & money)
booking eldest's birthday party
seeing friend for quick coffee
visiting barbers
buying a christening card
(thought I'd had one)
making lunch
eating lunch
eating rest of contents of fridge
(to save waste)
defrosting fridge
(to check if fridge is broken)
posting a wedding card
writing and posting a thank you card
writing and posting a friend's birthday card
applying for a course
(deadline next week)
sorting out old clothes, books and toys
(for my sister's children)
ironing
packing
ironing
packing
phoning my mum
checking the checklist (passports, booking reference, insurance & money)
picking up youngest from nursery
refereeing fights
welcoming husband home from work
making dinner
eating dinner
reading stories to children
saying night-night
cleaning kitchen
tidying up
cleaning floors
ironing
packing
(well there're always a few last stray items)
packing the car
remembering to pack all the gifts
(christening presents for niece, other presents for nephew, mum's birthday present, ruby anniversary present for my sister's in-laws)
checking the checklist (passports, booking reference, insurance & money)
supper
wine
(only one glass)
cancelling milk
(have forgotten twice already)
checking children
checking alarm
bed
checking alarm (again)
sleep
zzzzzzzzzzzz