First night on the continent

So, it took a fair while to get to Centre Parcs.  We were trying to navigate 'old style' and it took longer than expected!  I did pretty well at getting us to the town - but actually finding the actual park and what road it was on was a bit more tricky!  we got here though, and it is lovely.  The weather is divine and our little bungalow is very comfortable.

We started with a walk, visited Discovery Bay (a big playground in a warehouse basically) and then went for another walk.  The kids took out a pedalo and followed me and Adrian around the lake :)

Pictures below...

Heading to France

So we started Thursday with a trip to the Five Bells and lunch with mum.  Of course I couldn't resist a nice cold pint to go with my lunch!

So off we went towards Dover (we thought) only to find out that we ended up in Harwich. What???  We were all confused!  Adrian tells us that we are going on the overnight ferry to the Hook of Holland.  Okay!

It transpires that we are not going straight to France, but are in fact going to Belgium first to spend a weekend at Centre Parcs!  What a fantastic surprise!

We arrived a little early, so we had time to walk around Harwich which was surprisingly pretty once you got away from the docks.  Lots of little junk shops and interesting things to look at.  Christopher was beside himself with excitement though while we waited for the ferry.  The cabin was very comfortable and we all had a reasonable sleep.  Below are a few pictures of our wander through Harwich and of the time on the ferry.


Once we got on the ferry, we realised that we didn't have maps on our sat nav for Holland and Belgium, so navigation would be old style...by me!  Gulp!  I am monumentally crap at map reading and find all forms of spatial awareness very challenging!  We will sed what tomorrow brings and whether we can find our way to centre parcs!

 

Chilling at Mum's

Today has been quite a relaxed day for me with not much that I needed to do.  I went for a long walk over to Hacconby today, on to the main road and back to Morton.  It's a fair old circuit and took me just over an hour to do.

Adrian and the children are staying with Adrian's mum and are spending the day in Peterborough spending the rest of their savings.  I know Holly is wanting to get more clothes (unsurprising) - and I'm not sure what Alex will go for.

I plan to get some sewing done while I relax this afternoon.  Here are a couple of photographs of my walk.

Alton Towers

So we got up reasonably early this morning and headed out.  The kids didn't know where we were going - but it didn't take them long to twig we were going to Alton Towers once we got close.

The first order of the day was to get Christohper measured.  Most of the big rides ask for children to be at least 1.4 metres tall.  We knew it was going to be close.  The first place we went to to, they 'ummed and ahhed' and said it was very close, but no, he wouldn't be able to ride.  It was really disappointing as obviously Chris wanted to go on the big rides.  So we tried somewhere else...and after a fair bit of coaching on how to stand up straight, he got in...and got a wrist band stating that he was 1.4 metres tall - result!

Christopher is 'just about' over 1.4 metres tall!

So, after that, there was a mad couple of hours while we tried to get on as many rides as we could before it got busier.  A lot of schools were still working, so it wasn't too busy.  It was a great day though, so I will add some pictures below for you to see.

First Day - tattoos and stones

We were all awake  pretty early this morning - jet lag more than likely!  Breakfast was nice and then it was getting organised for the day.

Adrian got us all together and we started the day with some exercise - he made us do 'The Macarena' - it was funny doing all of that together.  He then announced what was happening today.  Firstly, it was off to go and get my tattoo done.  Adrian took Alex and Christopher to go and see the stones at Avebury and also they went to go and see Stonehenge.  Holly came with me to get the tattoo done.

I'm really pleased with it - I think she has done a brilliant job.  Holly chose to come with me - "History is not really my thing" she said :)

Underneath are a couple of pictures of the day...

 

Off to England!

And so...another adventure begins!  So looking forward to getting to the house again in France.  It feels like forever since we were there last.  In fact it was a year and a half - so we really want to make the most of it.

This year feels a little different. Normally, I plan all the details, hotels, flights, arrangements - all of that.  But this year, because things have been a little 'tricky' for me, Adrian has planned everything...and not only that, but has kept it a secret from me and the children.  He has had a 'secret holiday planning folder' which has been for his eyes only.  I'm very much looking forward to an exciting few weeks.

I think Adrian is a little worried that I'm expecting some sort of huge surprise...but to be honest, picnics and walks in the countryside are what I'm hoping for :-)

We also plan to put a new floor down in the snug and kitchen...and I also want to decorate the living room as well.  So, a fair bit to do.  Our contact in France, Steve, has cleared the garden for us, so a nice couple of barbecues would also be really nice.  All on the credit card...hopefully...unless 'credit card says no'!

I am writing this at the airport, so I am not able to add pictures just yet as the card reader for the camera is in the case.  But perhaps I will try and take one with the laptop - let me try...

Haha - success - but only a picture of me.  I will add more pictures once I can get the photos off my camera!

As you can see earlier in the blog - I've added some ore pictures now :)

Keep an eye out on the blog for what we are up to...

Penang Day 5

 

So day 5....Adrian took the kids out with him, I had a day of rest in the room as my back has been a bit sore over the last few days.  Bed is a bit firm for me so has 'set things off' a bit.  So instead of photos of us 'out and about' the next two posts will be random photos from Holly's camera!