Mother’s Day at Housesteads Roman Fort

Posted on 31/03/2019 by Lyndsey

Today was Mother’s Day, and the first one we’ve celebrated while on holiday. The boys did a fantastic job of making me feel special, with gifts of books, sweets, and lots of handmade cards, pictures, and gifts. After a breakfast in bed, followed by a second breakfast of bacon and eggs, it was time for me to choose the day’s adventure. I went with Housesteads Roman Fort, a part of Hadrian’s Wall that we had planned to visit last October but ran out of time.

It turned out to be an excellent choice! The fort is perched on a steep hill, so it was a bit of a hike up, but once we got there, the views were absolutely stunning, and the fort itself was incredibly impressive. The site has a shop and an information centre, which includes a short video on what the fort looked like back in the day, along with some artefacts to explore. The boys also enjoyed the dress-up station, where they could pretend to be Roman soldiers and reenact Roman fights—definitely one of their favourite parts!

Once we made it to the Roman Fort, we were all really impressed by how much larger it was than we expected, and we had a great time walking around, learning about its history, and soaking in the views. Oliver especially loved exploring every nook and cranny of the fort.

Afterward, we took a short drive to Steel Rigg, which was only a couple of minutes away. A short walk down, followed by a bit of an uphill trek along the Wall and the crag (Lyndsey wasn’t too fond of this part), brought us to the top, where the view was breathtaking. Definitely worth the climb!

Pro tip: Wear walking boots if you plan on doing this walk—definitely makes the journey easier!

We ended the day with a steak and chips dinner and a couple of glasses of rosé—a perfect way to finish off a wonderful Mother’s Day.

8646 steps today, and a perfect day all around!

A Perfect Day at Pooley Bridge and Ullswater Lake

Posted on 30/03/2019 by Lyndsey

What an amazing day we had today! We made our way to Pooley Bridge and went for a lovely walk around Ullswater Lake—something we missed in October due to the flooding. It’s a walk we really enjoy, so it was fantastic to finally get to do it again.

As soon as we reached the start of the lake, we came across a rope swing—it was great fun! And surprisingly, it held adults too, so we all had a go. There’s something so fun and freeing about swinging out over the water!

We managed to walk a bit further than we usually do and ended up at the campsite and farm area, where there was a food van. We grabbed some chips to complement our sandwiches and sat down to enjoy them. The boys were quick to spot the small park nearby, and they spent some time playing. However, there were a couple of incidents along the way: Lewis got whacked by a swing and went flying through the air (it was a bit of a shock, but he was fine), and then Alexander fell off the climbing wall, landing right under a swing. He stood up, cracked his head, but thankfully he was okay too! It was a little chaotic, but they both bounced back quickly.

Pro tip: We parked at the all-day parking in Pooley Bridge, which cost us £3.00. There’s also an alternative car park that costs £3 for up to 2 hours.

On the way back home, we stopped by the shops in Penrith for some ice creams, then decided to visit Brougham Castle, which is just a 5-minute drive from our chalet. It’s a lovely ruin, with flowers growing through the old walls. You can walk up to two levels of the castle for a fantastic view. It was a great little stop to round off the day.

By the time we got back, we were all absolutely shattered after a full day of adventures.

11008 steps walked—an excellent way to kick off the holiday!

Back at Kaptain’s Cabin – A Perfect Getaway

Posted on 29/03/2019 by Lyndsey

We’ve been to the Lakes quite a few times now, but this trip felt extra special as it was our second stay in Kaptain’s Cabin (we were here last October too). The sun was shining as we arrived, which made it feel even more like a holiday. There’s something so relaxing about being here—after settling in, I grabbed a book and enjoyed some quiet time, while the kids ran around the chalet, making the most of the fresh air.

The cabin itself is always a great spot for us. It’s cosy and tucked away in the perfect spot for exploring, but also just the right place to unwind when you want to relax. It was a perfect start to what promises to be another lovely stay in the Lakes!

Return to York: Exploring Clifford Tower, the Army Museum & the National Railway Museum

Posted on 10/07/2018 by Lyndsey

Today, we made our return to the beautiful city of York! We had originally planned to visit the Viking Museum, but we didn’t realise that you needed to book tickets in advance. So, a little change of plans, and we decided to finally check out Clifford Tower, which we had spotted during our visit last week but didn’t get a chance to explore.

Clifford Tower is the keep of York Castle, and it’s such an impressive building! The climb to the top is definitely worth it, as the views from the top are absolutely amazing – you can see all over the city from every angle. After taking in the breath-taking views, we had a lovely lunch at the bottom of the steps, enjoying some well-earned food after our mini adventure.

Just on the other side of the tower is the York Army Museum, so we popped in for a visit. It was a fantastic experience! The museum had some incredible relics on display, and the boys had an absolute blast trying on army uniforms – definitely a highlight for them. Afterward, we enjoyed a wander around and even treated ourselves to a cheeky McFlurry, which was just the perfect way to finish off our museum visit.

Next on the agenda was the National Railway Museum, which was where Alexander had really wanted to go. And boy, did he love it! All the boys had an incredible time, but Lewis especially couldn’t get enough of the trains. The museum is fantastic, featuring iconic trains, including those that Queen Victoria, Prince Edward, and Queen Mary had travelled on. It’s such an interesting place to visit, and what makes it even better is that it’s completely free to enter! You can make a donation, though, if you wish, but it’s an experience that doesn’t cost a penny to enjoy.

Overall, it was a wonderful day in York, filled with history, culture, and lots of fun for the boys. We would highly recommend the National Railway Museum to anyone with young kids – it’s definitely a must-see!

Total steps: 11,000

A Fun-Filled Day with Cricket, History, and Ice Cream

Posted on 05/07/2018 by Lyndsey

The day started with the boys having a blast in the garden, and then we all gathered for a family game of cricket. Let’s just say I’m not the most skilled player, but I did manage to catch the ball and get David out—ha, victory for me! After our cricket fun, we headed to Jervaulx Abbey, which was only a mile away from the cottage. The Abbey is a beautiful ruin, and it was amazing to see the remaining fragments of the monastic buildings. It had such an impressive atmosphere, and we made sure to soak it all in.

Once we’d explored the Abbey, we found a perfect spot to have a picnic on the grounds. It was the ideal setting to relax and enjoy our lunch surrounded by history and beautiful scenery.

After our peaceful picnic, we headed to Brymor Ice Cream Parlour, which was just around the corner. The ice cream was made on-site, and let me tell you, it was incredibly tasty! I highly recommend the ginger ice cream—it was absolutely delicious. While there, we also visited the viewing platform to see the calves, and the boys had a great time playing in the outdoor and indoor play areas. It was a great stop and definitely one we’d recommend to everyone.

All in all, a perfect day spent with a mix of outdoor fun, history, and, of course, some of the best ice cream around!

A Lovely Day in Pateley Bridge

Posted on 04/07/2018 by Lyndsey

Today’s adventure took us to Pateley Bridge, a charming little village nestled on the River Nidd, not far from Harrogate. We arrived around lunchtime and managed to snag some incredibly cheap parking at just £1.20 for 4 hours—what a bargain! The River was right there, so we grabbed our picnic lunch and a blanket, then headed off to find the perfect spot to relax. We stumbled upon a lovely area beside the Riverside Caravan Park, which turned out to be ideal for a peaceful lunch by the water.

After lunch, we went for a stroll along the river, and it was glorious! The scenery was beautiful, and we would have loved to walk further, but we hadn’t brought enough water with us and it was scorching hot, so we decided to save that for another day.

On our way back, we discovered a fantastic little park where the boys (and us) had a blast playing for a while. It helped burn off some energy (and left them a bit more tired—bonus!). We then wandered around the village and came across the Nidderdale Museum, which is housed in an old workhouse. The museum had loads of interesting local memorabilia, and for just £2 per adult, it was a bargain! We spent about an hour there, and I particularly enjoyed the coal mine tunnel exhibit. It was fascinating to see how life used to be in the area.

Before heading back to the cottage, we made a quick stop in Ripon for some shopping, and then the boys had even more fun playing in the garden back at the cottage.

All in all, a lovely day exploring a beautiful village, learning a bit of local history, and making some great memories!

A Day Trip to York

Posted on 03/07/2018 by Lyndsey

We were up bright and early today for a day trip to York by train from Northallerton. This is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and I was really looking forward to it. York is absolutely stunning, with its beautiful buildings and surroundings, but York Minster Cathedral definitely stole the show—its beauty is just incredible. Unfortunately, we didn’t go inside, as the boys weren’t in the mood to be quiet and calm, so we opted to walk around Dean Park Gardens instead.

From there, we tried to get our bearings, though I don’t think I ever quite figured out the layout of York (I was hopelessly lost most of the day!). We wandered down The Shambles, which reminded me of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter and the Ramblas in Barcelona. We couldn’t resist stopping by the Harry Potter shop, and Alexander was in absolute heaven there.

For lunch, we grabbed some sandwiches from Tesco and headed back to Dean Park for a picnic under a tree—half in the shade, half in the sun. It was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some food.

After lunch, we explored a little more and came across a garden behind the museum that had an “edible wood,” with lots of plants that can either be eaten raw or cooked. It was such a cool discovery! We spent some time at the York Museum next, which kept us entertained for a few hours. The museum had a great collection of Roman and medieval artefacts, and the boys had a blast with the dressing-up station (David even joined in!). Lewis was especially excited to see the dinosaur display, and there was an excavation exhibit where the kids got to try their hand at digging—such a fun experience for them.

Afterward, we headed back out into the sunshine for a snack on the grass and a leisurely walk along the River Ouse. Of course, no day trip is complete without a sneaky McFlurry, which we grabbed along the way. We finished our visit with a McDonald’s dinner before heading back to the train station.

Travel Tip: We parked at Applegarth Long Stay Car Park, which was just a 10-minute walk from Northallerton Train Station. It was only £3.20 for the whole day, which was a great deal.

All in all, it was a fantastic day exploring the beautiful city of York, with a mix of history, sunshine, and a little bit of magic!

Lewis’ 4th Birthday Celebration

Posted on 02/07/2018 by Lyndsey

Today was a special day—Lewis turned 4! Time really does fly by! We decided to take it easy in the morning and enjoy the day at our own pace. Lewis opened his presents first thing, and then the boys and David had a fun game of cricket in the garden. Meanwhile, I spent some time with Lewis doing one of the Toucan Boxes he received for his birthday. He made an awesome dinosaur mask and tail, and it was great fun seeing him get creative.

Afterwards, I grabbed my book and sat outside in the sunshine, reading while the kids explored. They all headed to the bottom of the garden, went over the fence, and set off on a little adventure into the field. It’s so lovely seeing them enjoy the outdoors.

For lunch, we headed to Masham to celebrate with some birthday food at The Bruce Arms. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the fish and chips with beer batter that David and I both had—so good! The pub had a fantastic play area at the bottom of the garden, which the boys had a blast playing in before and after lunch. After our meal, we enjoyed a peaceful walk along the River Ure, taking in the beautiful surroundings.

Back home, the fun continued with more playtime outside in the garden. To wrap up the day, we had some alfresco dining with pizza—perfect for a birthday celebration!

It was such a lovely, relaxed day celebrating our big boy turning 4. Here’s to many more adventures and fun moments ahead!

A Day of Surprises: Middleham Castle and Ripon

Posted on 01/07/2018 by Lyndsey

Well, the day started with a bit of a disaster—whoops! We flooded the utility room with the washing machine, not once, but twice! Needless to say, I ended up hand-washing everything and feeling a little bit frustrated. Grrr. But after clearing up the mess, we were determined to make the most of the day.

Our next stop was Middleham Castle, and thankfully, the day got much better from there! The sun was shining, and we had an amazing time exploring the castle grounds. The castle turned out to be much bigger than we had first expected, and we all enjoyed wandering through the ruins. The boys especially loved clambering over the walls and finding little nooks and crannies to explore. It was the perfect spot for them to let off some steam, and the whole place had such a great atmosphere on that beautiful day. We even had a lovely lunch within the castle grounds, soaking in the views and the sunshine.

After that, we decided to head to Ripon, a charming town not too far away. We popped into the Ripon Cathedral, and it was absolutely breathtaking. While we were there, we were lucky enough to catch the choir practising, and I have to say, it gave me goosebumps. The sound was so beautiful and powerful, it felt like the whole place was alive with music. What an incredible experience.

Despite the chaos of the morning, it turned into a really special day—one full of history, beauty, and a bit of unexpected magic.

Exploring Leyburn and Bedale

Posted on 30/06/2018 by Lyndsey

Today, we decided to take a trip to two charming local towns—Leyburn and Bedale. When we arrived, we quickly realised that we’d actually visited both towns during our trip to Yorkshire back in October last year! Still, they’re such quaint and beautiful little villages that it was a pleasure to return.

The boys had a great time playing in the park behind Bedale Museum. It’s a lovely spot for kids to run around and burn off some energy, with lots of green space and fun little areas to explore. After letting the boys enjoy the park, we continued our journey and made a brief stop at Thornton Steward Reservoir on our way home. It’s a lovely spot, but word of advice: don’t wear sandals! The area is covered in sheep poo, so next time, we’ll be sure to bring trainers!

It was a relaxed and enjoyable day, revisiting some familiar spots and discovering a few new ones along the way. We’ll definitely return to these towns, but with the proper footwear next time!

Arrival at Thornhill Cottage

Posted on 29/06/2018 by Lyndsey

Today, we made our way to Thornhill Cottage in the picturesque village of Thornton Steward, Yorkshire. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and as soon as we arrived, we were blown away by how stunning the cottage is—especially the huge garden! It’s so spacious, you could easily get lost in it. It’s the perfect place to relax, explore, and let the kids run wild.

Personally, I’ve fallen in love with the sunroom. It’s my little haven where I can settle down with a good book and a cup of tea, watching the world go by. It’s absolute bliss!

After dinner, we decided to go for a walk around the village. The scenery is so peaceful, and we even had a chance to meet our neighbours—the cows! They didn’t seem too excited to see us, though, and gave us some rather unimpressed looks as we passed by.

We’re looking forward to spending more time here, soaking in the beauty of both the cottage and its surroundings. And that garden? It’s a dream!

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