Widely considered to be the spearhead of English Literature, Geoffrey Chaucer also gave us a Valentine’s Day gift centuries ago. Sometimes forgotten about amongst the bustle of commercial cards and presents, his beautiful Parlement of Foules is dedicated to the day. In fact, Valentine’s Day itself combines history from centuries before Chaucer’s poem was composed with a popular notion in … Read More
Unleashing Your Fun Factor at Adventure Sports in Warwick
Before the boys came along Jacob and I made time for fun. Always. We’d live by the old “work hard play hard” phrase. Jacob found his adrenaline fixes in parascending and high-speed rollercoasters, whilst I was more likely to be found galloping along the beaches of Turkey on holiday or abseiling down cliffs. Becoming parents curbed us somewhat. I’m not … Read More
Climate Change and the Hedgehog
As I was sipping my morning coffee, looking out over our frost kissed lawn, fog lingering as it touched the tops of the hedge, I wondered about the impact of climate change on creatures that hibernate. Specifically, I wondered about hedgehogs. What if they woke, roused by mild temperatures, only to find themselves plunged into a cold snap days later. … Read More
Your Summer Adventures Start Here
The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show returns to Birmingham’s NEC from the 18 – 23 February 2020. Set across five halls of the NEC; the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show offers the UK’s largest display of leisure vehicles, static holiday homes, lodges, tents and so much more, giving holidaymakers and adventurers all the inspiration and gear they need for their … Read More
2020 Plans
My creative, planning and organising mind springs to life in the autumn. I had pondered why in particular these things seemed so much easier in the later months of the year, but then I read a post by Emma over at The Photographer’s Way that seemed to fit. Is it the shorter days that give rise to my higher levels … Read More
Clean Air – Or Is It?
When we think of pollution, it is so easy to conjure up an image of exhaust fumes and factories. When we move house and think of air quality it is often statistics outside the home that interest us. It may then come as a surprise that increasingly the air pollution risk is actually indoors, not out. The World Health Organisation … Read More
All Go At Jump In
There’s a lot of sense to the Winnie the Pooh character Tigger. Bouncing is fun. Jumping is fun. There’s something simultaneously relaxing and exhilarating about it. Finding a new and entertaining activity for your children to do can be tough. Looking for something that accommodates a range of ages is even harder, especially if you’re seeking an all-weather, all season … Read More
Our 2019 Calendar of Goodwill
Once again, as the end of the year and Christmas approach, as a family we have spent time thinking about our Calendar of Goodwill. As I have mentioned previously, this is something that we started when Chief was born. We became so conscious that the Christmas season can quickly become a time to expect gifts rather than focus on the … Read More
The Power of a Photograph
15 years ago I went on an adventure to Peru. The trip had been a long time coming, something that my friend and I had talked about from our secondary school days. I loved every moment and captured it all in three ways. Firstly, of course is my memory. I close my eyes and recall performing Tai Chi on a … Read More
Travelling On A Budget With Family
I love travelling. I have a real sense of wanderlust and an almost constant itch in my feet to get going on our next adventure. I don’t travel very much though, or certainly haven’t since I’ve had children. Yes, packing up suitcases for the entire family is not something that fills me with any particular amount of joy, but mostly … Read More