Our Weekly Journal 31st July 2017 Sun and Rain

Our Weekly Journal 31st July 2017 Sun and Rain

We only have Bear two days a week now so we try to fill them with fun things. Tuesday was forecast to be fine and Wednesday would be rain. Bears mummy had to go to the dentist on Tuesday so we decided to take her so we dropped her off and went to the park. Every week we see a difference in Bear, going to nursery has made him so confident with climbing, he tackles everything.

#MySundayPhoto Number 31

#MySundayPhoto Number 31

This was last Wednesday in Cardiff, on the Tuesday it had been hot and sunny and we had the paddling pool out all day but the sun had quickly been replaced by rain.

Bear wanted to go on a bus, he loves buses so we went into town and visited the Old Library. They have a museum there now, The Cardiff Story and a small play area for toddlers. Just as it was getting busy and we had thought about leaving the fire alarm went off. Bear loved it, he even didn't mind the rain as a few minutes later a fire engine arrived.

We have very few old buildings in Cardiff, the planners like to knock everything down and make Cardiff look like any other city in the UK. Luckily the Old Library has survived and it is beautiful inside too. 

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5 Minute Games For Toddlers - Muddy Creatures

5 Minute Games For Toddlers - Muddy Creatures

5 Minute Games For Toddlers just take a few minutes to prepare and mostly use things that you would already have in the house.
Bear loves to watch You Tube, he loves the reveal videos. The ones where creatures or toys are pulled out of a messy gloop or a bowl of smarties. I have been meaning to do this for him for ages and this week the sun was shining, we had the paddling pool out and I thought it would be a perfect game for him.

Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer - A Review

Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer Outfit Set - A Review

When we were asked to review* Lottie Dolls - Muddy Puddles and Astro Adventurer outfit set we didn't hesitate. We have no gender divides here and Bear enjoys pushing prams and playing with the dolls house at his Tots Club as much as playing with the other toys, so I knew he would love Lottie.

A Walk Up Sugar Loaf

A Walk Up Sugar Loaf

Difficulty - Moderate
Parking - Free.

Sugar Loaf is a mountain near Abergavenny in South Wales. It is one of those mountains where the National Trust have a free car park half way up so this makes the walk less demanding. We walked it many years ago with our children, they were about three and eight. (The littlest did have a shoulder carry for a lot of the way). As long as the weather forecast is good then this is a great family walk. There are two car parks, this walk starts at the second, a National Trust car park at the end of the road.

Our Weekly Journal 23rd July 2017 - Upset Tummies

Our Weekly Journal 23rd July 2017 - Upset Tummies

Oh Dear! This week did not start, or continue well. Bears Mummy and Daddy wanted one last date night before the new baby arrives and we planned for them all to stay over on Saturday night. We retrieved Aunty S's fire engine from the loft to entertain Bear. It must be almost twenty five years old and still works. We have never worried about gender relevant games, toys, careers and so on. Aunty S wanted a fire engine, so we bought her one, much to the bemusement of some family and friends.

#MySundayPhoto Number 30

#MySundayPhoto Number 30

Last weekend I had left the camera out and Bear found it. He wanted to know how to take photos and he managed even though it is really heavy. He struggled to hold it and press the shutter release but after a little practice he was taking photos of everything.

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Garwnant - The Wern Walk

Garwnant - The Wern Walk

Difficulty - Easy/Moderate

Parking - £2 all day (at time of posting machines do not take new £1 coins, I'm told the café does not give change for parking).

We previously visited Garwnant with Bear. He loved the sculpture trails and the playground so we will bring him back another day. Our walk this week was a route called The Wern Walk. It is described by Natural Resources Wales (who manage Garwnant) as moderate, I would say it's on the easy side of moderate. It is two miles long and their expectations are that it will take an hour. We strolled, took lots of photos and completed the walk in under an hour. The route would be fine for children but one path is loose gravel and it may be difficult for buggies.

Our Weekly Journal 17th July 2017 - Knights and Sleepovers

Our Weekly Journal 17th July 2017 - Knights and Sleepovers

Bear loves being a knight. We bought a sword at Cardiff Castle and he loves to take it with him, when we remember, to the other castles we visit.

#MySundayPhoto Number 29

#MySundayPhoto Number 29

This was not the walk we had planned to do this weekend. Bears parents went out on Saturday night for a last night out together before the baby is born in August so we had Bear overnight. Both Mummy and Daddy woke up vomiting. It can only be something they ate last night, definitely not a hangover, and they did share a dessert.

There was no way either of them could look after Bear so they all stayed here and we took him to Cefn Onn park to ride his bike. No sign of a bike you say. No, I am walking behind carrying a bike, a helmet, wellies, two coats......

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Llwyn Celyn Whips - An Easy Walk With A View Over Cardiff

Llwyn Celyn Whips - An Easy Walk With A View Over Cardiff

Difficulty - Easy
Parking - Free
Child and buggy friendly

This is an easy walk through woods following forest roads. No special equipment or navigation skills are required although the paths can be really wet and muddy after rain. It is a gentle up hill climb with glimpses of the Brecon Beacons and at the top views over Cardiff.

There is a picnic table at the top so a good place to pause for a snack. We just walked to the ROC (Royal Observer Corps) Station and back and the route took us 1.5 hours, but we didn't rush and paused many times to take photos and admire the views, also it was Mr Ps first walk not on pavements since his operation so we took it easy. There is a longer, circular walk described on the Ramblers website.

Our Weekly Journal 10th July 2017 - Goodbye Dummies

A Mickey Mouse for Bear instead of his dummy, ignore the dirty footprint on the car seat 

 Our Weekly Journal 10th July 2017 - Goodbye Dummies

It was a very important week. We dropped from four days having Bear to two and the dummy fairy came and took all his dummies away. Bear's mummy had it well planned. She bought a toy each for when he is in the car and one for bed. Also an extra toy as a treat. They were put in a bag with a card from the dummy fairy. He was so good, and never asked for one all week. He didn't nap though and his only nap was in the car on the way back from shopping.

#MySundayPhoto Number 28

#MySundayPhoto Number 28

Bear has always hated getting his hair wet and water on his face, that is before he started swimming lessons. He has been to three and now he is purposely getting his hair wet and laughing when it runs down his face. He has also been trying to swim in the paddling pool. It is amazing how quickly his fear has gone.

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The Vicar Of Dibley - Everyman Production at Cardiff Open Air Theatre 2017 - A Review

The Vicar Of Dibley - Everyman Production at Cardiff Open Air Theatre 2017 - A Review

We were delighted to be invited* to review The Vicar of Dibley an Everyman Theatre production at Cardiff Open Air Festival in Sophia Gardens. We saw Spamalot two weeks ago, which we loved, so our expectations were high.
The festival is an annual event held in the beautiful Sophia Gardens, just a stones throw from Cardiff Castle.

Number 10, Cardiff Pre-Theatre Supper - A Review

Number 10, Cardiff Pre-Theatre Supper - A Review

We were invited* to review the Pre-Theatre Supper menu at No.10 Cardiff. No.10 Cardiff is a luxury boutique hotel on Cathedral Road and backs onto Sophia Gardens. We were going to The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival to see The Vicar Of Dibley and this is the ideal location.

No.10, Cardiff is very close to the City Centre and literally a minutes walk from the venue and so our meal was relaxed without the usual clock watching.

The restaurant has a set evening menu throughout the year and service starts at 5pm so is convenient for events at other venues throughout Cardiff City Centre.

Grief

Grief

Grief, I wonder how long it lasts? Does it get easier? When will this emptiness go? My mother died five years ago today and I miss her every day. I sometimes forget she is not here anymore and think "I must tell her that" or "I must ask her that". But I can't. I can never tell her anything again. I can never ask her those questions that only she would know the answer to. Every time this happens it takes my breath away, for a second I cannot breathe, I am struck with the finality of it all over again. It hurts.

A Walk in The Mountains - An Introduction

Pen Y Fan 

A Walk in The Mountains - An Introduction

Before we had children Mr P and I would spend our weekends wild camping in the Brecon Beacons. It would take all day Saturday to travel there and all day Sunday to get home. We didn't have a car so relied on public transport. Then I started nursing which meant working every weekend so our wild days were gone.

Our Weekly Journal 3rd July 2017 - Don't Look At Me!

Don't look at me Nanny!

Our weekly Journal 2nd July 2017 - Don't Look At Me!

This week has been hard, we had two mornings of screams and tears as Bear was left with me. He wanted his Mummy, which is OK but what was so hard was that he didn't want me. He kept saying "don't look at me" "don't talk to me". This meant that for the other two days I stayed upstairs while Grandad took him from his Mummy. He only wanted Grandad, I was not allowed to do anything for him.

#MySundayPhoto Number 27

#MySundayPhoto Number 27

Doesn't this look good? It tasted amazing, totally not Slimming World friendly (oh dear there goes another week) but it was so worth it. I went with my daughter, Aunty S, and Bears Mummy (Pixie Does) for a little baby shower as Bears brother is due in August. We love the Park Plaza in Cardiff for lunch and coffee so thought we would try their afternoon tea. It was just perfect.

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