Our Weekly Journal - A Quick Catch Up

Our Weekly Journal - A Quick Catch Up

I haven't written a weekly journal for ages, in fact the last one was 2nd October! Wow that was a long time ago, until I checked I didn't realise how long it was. It isn't that we haven't done anything, in fact we have been very busy, it is my SAD. I just can't be bothered. Nothing has any point to it so I carried on with posts I had committed to, and left all the chatty stuff.
I mean who reads it anyway? What is the point? I didn't even get the lap top out for over a week at the beginning of November.
Then last week I received a Christmas card from my sister, she told me how much she loved reading my blog, the journals and the Junk Food one (it brought back memories for her too) and I realised that I actually enjoyed writing about our days and there are people who enjoy reading it. So I decided to do a catch up, there's a fair bit to include so grab a cup of tea and read on...

10 Fun Ideas for Free Days Out in South Wales - perfect for the Summer Holidays

10 Fun Ideas for Free Days Out in South Wales - perfect for the Summer Holidays

The Summer holidays are here soon and we will all be looking for fun places to take our little ones that do not break the bank. Everywhere that charge an admission raise their prices  during the holidays and that can be expensive if you have multiple children. Here are a 10 fun free ideas for days out that we love. These are based in South Wales, within an hour of Cardiff but I am sure you will have similar near you. Although these are all free to visit there may be a parking charge.

12 Days of Christmas at Dyffryn Gardens - A Toddler Explores

We love Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. We have National Trust membership so do not have to pay every time we visit. We enjoy the gardens at any time of year and it is a great place for toddlers too. Bear loves to explore and at the moment they have a 12 Days of Christmas Trail.

Familiar Faces and Places

Our round-up this week is Familiar Faces and Places. We go back to places we love and for Grandad and me a visit home to see family and friends.

Tredegar House Part II - A Toddler Explores

When we first visited Tredegar House we just didn't get time to explore the house. We had so much fun in the gardens that we just ran out of time so we came back to see the house.

Tredegar House & Gardens - A Toddler Explores

We have been members of the National Trust for quite a few months now and Tredegar House & Gardens are almost on our doorstep, so why haven't we been before? Maybe because it is on our doorstep? Maybe because we thought just an old house would be boring for Bear? So on Monday we looked at the weather forecast and decided to go for an hour. We didn't have a plan, no picnic just coffee for us and some Heavenly Tasty Organic* snacks for Bear. 

Just a quick twenty minutes drive along the A48 from Cardiff towards Newport and we were there.

Dyffryn Gardens In Spring - A Toddler Explores

We visited Dyffryn Gardens, in the Vale of Glamorgan, back in March and the gardens were quite bare. Bear absolutely loved it there and we called our visit Dyffryn Gardens - A National Trust Toddler Paradise. Now the weather has warmed up and our garden is looking so green and full of flowers we decided to visit again. Is it worth visiting in Spring? Oh yes! I think it has the most beautiful gardens, a huge arboretum and if you visit after 12 mid day you can tour the house.

Dyffryn Gardens - A National Trust Toddler Paradise

Dyffryn Gardens is in the Vale of Glamorgan just a few miles from Cardiff. They are Edwardian gardens and a Victorian mansion managed by the National Trust. The sun was shining and our first visit to messy play had been cancelled so we thought we'd use our National Trust subscription and go to Dyffryn Gardens instead.

Dyffryn Gardens National Trust Entrance with the playground and cafe on the right