An idea for the summer holidays – Reigate, Surrey

An idea for the summer holidays - Reigate, Surrey

​Mikey has had rehursals for his summer show in Reigate over the last 5 weeks so I feel like I’m really getting to know the town well. I worked in Reigate years ago but never appreciated what it had to offer, but then  I did spend all my free time in the pubs! We have spent a few lovely evenings at Priory Park, enjoying the warm summer nights while the kids play in the fabulous playground. Libby didn’t leave the zip wire, Charlie was king of the pirate ship and the twins were having a water fight (when they weren’t hunting for pokamons). The park is so beautifully kept with perfectly manicured flowers, paths perfect for bike riding, a lake, tennis courts and skateboarding ramp. It’s has the feel of a Royal garden but without the hassle and bustle of London. We have also given some of the restaurants a go….. It’s hardwork but there has been no time to cook! 😜 Charlies favourite place to eat is The Giggling Squid, a Thai restaurant with a modern feel. The food is stunning and I recommend the Green Thai Curry, Thai Beef Salad and Pad Thai noodles. Charlies favourites are the pork dumplings and the paid Thai are a guaranteed win for my lot. www.gigglingsquid.com We have also taken the kids to Bills which has a fabulous little courtyard garden. The menu has something for everyone from Seabass, Burgers, Grilled paprika chicken and Salads. The kids menu is very reasonable and the decor is great. https://bills-website.co.uk Reigate also has Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge, Carluccios, Cotes and lots more lovely places to eat…. I’m working my way round! So if you find yourself at a loose end over the summer,  take a visit to Reigate,you won’t be disappointed.

I need my omelette makers back!  

​Since we last all our chickens,  ducks and geese to Mr Fox last year I decided to take a break from farm animals (with the exception of our sheep).
I have been thinking lately that now George is a bit bigger and the summer holidays are on their way, it’s time to build our stock back up.
I can’t wait to start having my own constant supply of eggs again.

I’m going to pick up some point of lay hens next week along with a nice big Cockerell….  I love my Cockerells big and noisy 😉
Chickens make great pets, they are usually really friendly and apart from cleaning them regularly they are pretty minimal work. 
I would stay clear of Cockerells if you have neighbours close by though.

There is a fantastic poultry and farm shop called near Hickstead Show ground in Sussex where I usually buy my birds.  They have a great selection and are so knowledgeable on everything. 
http://www.wishingwellsgreenfieldfarm.co.uk/Find_Us___Contact_Page.html
My preference are Orpington buff hens,  they are a large breed, super friendly and great with the kids. 

I am also on the list for ex battery hens which I have picked up in the past. 
I wouldn’t suggest this if you are new to chicken keeping though.  They arrive in pretty bad condition and are very precious.  
I have lost many ex bats because it’s been a little too cold for them (it is common for them to arrive with little or no feathers 😞).
If you have kept chickens before or have the time to spend with them however it is really worthwhile and gratifying. 
If you saw the state these chickens are in you would NEVER eat caged hen eggs. 

Because of Mr Fox I’m not going to risk free ranging them anymore so I will be buying (or making)  a big run for them. 
I have also ordered some fertile eggs to hatch some of our own chicks and ducklings.   
We have done this in the past and the kids love it. 

Ducks are my favourite,  they are full of character.   
Ducks imprint on their mothers (or whoever they bond with first after hatching) so my Indian runner ducklings would follow me all around the house!  
The only problem with keeping ducks is the mess….. They can turn a beautiful lawn into a bog in no time. 

As for my geese, I think i will wait a little longer before I replace them. 
They were great guard animals but unfortunately they couldnt always tell the difference between welcome and unwelcome guests! 

I’ll stick with Bullmastiffs for now!  
I’ll update you once we have our new arrivals. 

5 year olds selfies!

5 Year Olds Selfies

​I was looking through my phone and found some photos I don’t remember taking!? May have to have a word with her about flattering angles! I don’t know where she gets the menacing look from! She really needs to work on her confidence!…. Time to change the password on my phone !! 🙈

Imperial War Museum

Imperial War Museum

​Thanks to the teachers strike (with you all the way!) I got an extra day of quality time with the twins. They are studying World War 2 this year and, as it is also my favourite period in history we decided to take a trip to the Imperial War Museum near Waterloo. A nice day out without spending too much money (entry into the museum is free) I find it easier when I have George with me to drive up to London. It just means after a long day the kids can lay back and relax in the way home. The only problem I ever have with driving to town is the parking…… Not anymore! The last couple of trips I have used www.justpark.com Before I leave I put into the website the destination postcode and it throws up the nearest car park.  You pre pay on the website and just turn up! On this trip I parked 10 minutes from the museum and it cost £11 all day! The museum was as fantastic now as I remember from when I was their age. We learnt about what it was like to live through WW2 through the eyes of a South London family. The boys found it really helped them to relate to the Allpress’,  comparing members of their family to ours (they also had a big family!) Looking at rationing, evacuation, the blitz  and all the propaganda, we took it all in and enjoyed every minute. It gave the three of us an overwhelming feeling of pride and patriotism that our previous generations went through this for us. ‘ we gave up our today’s for your tomorrow’s’ Harrison wouldnt even have his picture taken with a swastika in the background. As for the haulacaust exhibition, I could hardly bare it. Explaining it to the boys and hearing some of the stories was truly horrific. It is the first time I feel like my children really felt grateful for what they have and their life. The museum facilities are great to,  plenty of lifts to access the diffetent exhibitions, toilets, baby changing,  coffee shops etc. I was gutted we had a big breakfast before we got there. The restaurant food looked absolutely amazing, pizzas, seabass, salads, marinated chicken aswell as a huge range of pastries and cakes! I’ll save that for my next visit!

Feeling sorry for myself 

Feeling sorry for myself 

​Day one of feeling like s#;t Today has been a struggle.   I’m not ill very often but I seem to be paying for that now. My throat feels like razor blades, my nose is either running or completly blocked, my ears are aching and my head is thumping. Every body movement feels like hard work. As a mum you’re not allowed to be poorly,   let alone with five of the little cherubs! There is no point even moaning about my ailments to Mike because everytime I try to explain to him how I feel ,  he has it,  but worse! After I took the kids to school this morning I tried to get on with some housework but I got distracted….. Friends turned up with cake! I spent all day moving from the sofa to the coffee machine and back again and catching up on the latest gossip. Once the kids had been picked up I thought I would try and pep myself up having a hot bath and face mask – it didn’t help. After my soak it was back to mum duties.  Mikey had his first rehearsal for a show he is in in the summer. I could have had two hours of peace and quiet while I wait for him to finish,  but I agreed Libby could come. Instead I spent two hours running around Reigate trying to find baby wipes so that I  could wipe the sushi she dropped all over mikes car! I’m in now,  nurafen taken,  hemroid cream under my eyes (for the puffiness) and a bowl of cornflakes because I forgot to have dinner 🙊 It’s not all bad,  did I mention im in bed, blogging and watching Snatch!? Day two if feeling like s?;t Nope,  Definatly not feeling better today but it’s all good because I don’t have anything to do today! ……..oh no sorry, that’s someone else’s life!  Today I am helping at Libbys school trip! I honestly couldnt think of anything I would least like to do when I feel like this than spend a day with 30 reception children, but how could I let her down? (not a picture of me today!!!!) As it happens we had a really good day,  the kids were fantastic and I loved spending quality time with Libby and her friends. After school my day went like this : 4pm. Business meeting 6pm drop off to tutor 6.30.(treat myself to a manicure!) 7.30 pick up from tutor PICK UP KEBAB FOR EVERYONE 8.30 home 8.45 pour a large wine and Blog! Right,  now I’m in bed with soup hoping tomorrow I feel better. Note to anyone reading this who haven’t had children yet – if you are ill,  enjoy it,  once you have kids,  being ill isn’t an excuse to spend all day on the sofa watching box sets!…..  S#;T GETS REAL!