One of the things we soon learn however is that beaches, mountains and parks dont cost. We also find places where we pay an annual subscription and use them loads – RSPB, springs to mind on this, CADWA, and National Trust. Museums are nearly all Free to enter as well.

Since last year I have thought of a few ideas to make life a bit simpler and less expensive.

Any child old enough to carry there own packed lunch has there own small ruck sack / bag to carry it in!   Unless were going to somewhere where its ride based. / or at the beach.  We have used a Little life backpack for Asha since she was two.

As a mum, i make sure my bag can carry all the small bags, if need be. (I use a couple of climbing clips for this But that isnt the plan! If I know the little one wont want to eat once were at the place, we make sure we have a extra bit to eat before we leave home (crumpets or toast and butter spring to mind)

Every child has there own water bottle, which the child fills with water before they go out.  I find the sports bottles the best for this, purely because they dont spill as much and sand dosnt get into them the same. Before we leave the car we always have a drink of water, and before i drive off, for the drive home. (parents may have to check this before each child gets into car though)

Packed lunch ideas : rice, with sweetcorn, tuna, majonaise.  either in individual or large bowls to dish out. Wraps, make an easy alternative to bread on occasion, i tend to purchase these when reduced and freeze!

BEFORE we leave the house in the morning, we know what were going to have for tea. The slow cooker is our friend.. as is our chest freezer!

apples, pears, grapes, oranges, bananas, melons, pineapples, are all great fruits for when out and about.. the last two you need to either slice before you leave, or take a knife and a chopping board with you to dish out.

Bread.. and peanut butter, sliced cooked meats, eggs, cheese, cold fish, mixed with tuna, cucumber, lettuce, basil, humus, all make easy lunch items.  If your going to use tinned items, remember a tin opener, and a surface to slice them on! (we have actually got a knife, cutting board and tin opener which used to live in the car.. I must put them back on it!)We used to put all the sandwiches in boxes, but i have found that plastic sandwich bags work best, in a small cold bag, or just in a ruck sack for Asha.. This stops us carrying extra bulk around with us.

We also take cooked sausages, chicken legs, sliced peices of pork and steak have gone with us as well, and cold jacket spuds, make a long day, work a bit easier.  (espeically if cut into 1/4  or 1/6 before we leave home, and just shared out for the picnic)

A small bar peice of chocolate can help keep a child from tears just before your heading home. to keep the hunger at bay on the way home.. dried fruits and nuts will also help this period. We have used sweets here, but i find the sugar hit from sweets counter productive.  Also  toilet and thirst check before we get in the car helps!

It is worth taking a flask with hot water / hot chocolate in it. I have found this especially useful on days to the beach.. for me, not for Asha.. she has hot Ribena for when she is back in the car, in her own flask, but before we head home.   If i am going to be with a group, i normally put an extra flask of hot water in, and some extra tea bags.

Every child needs to have a complete spare set of clothes, and a wooly jumper on the car. a couple of spare dry towels can also save a lot of wet cold children on the way home!

Ice creams.. we try not to buy them when were out just as a family, but keep bought ice creams in the freezer for when we get home. If were out with a group, it depends on the day. But were happy just having ice cream at home..

Plastic containers from home make great buckets for at the beach.. you can get a selection of cheaper large spades from the likes of B&Q which are great for the pre-teens  / teens who want to do more than dig small castles..

Well there my thoughts.. oh and the MUST have item? A first aid kit with RESCUE Remedy in it and TEA TREE oil…

2010 Is happening in August / September this year.

http://www.walesenvironmentalhomeeducationcamp.com/

Well we started the day with a story in bed, followed by crumpets. We then moved onto filling the boot of the car with all the recycling from the last 3 months, which hadnt been picked up. We then went to the tip, and then to the post office.

We then drove towards Bangor, and called into the farmers shop and bought Bird food, cat food, three 75 kg  sacks of compost and a new set of over alls for Asha.   (Will try and get a photograph of her in them tomorrow, i left the camera at home all day today!) We then went to the cash and carry, but didnt buy any meat, but did get a few other bits and peices for the New freezer. (Ice cream, beefburgers, chips) and a new cereal tub for some cereal, to save it being all over the cupboard.

After that, we headed home, emptied the car, and headed over to llanberis, for a play on the public swings, which Asha truly inspired me with. Her balancing ability and confidence has exploded this week.  We then headed to petes eats for a small tea, and then back down to the laggoons, to climb trees (well asha did) Mummy just tried her hardest not to panic, or offer assistance, when it wasnt needed, and we  fed the ducks and swans, before coming home, and now she is in bed exhausted.. Me.. I am exhausted too, and gratefull that daddy does bed time!

The Welsh Mountain Zoo, is based above Conway Bay, and is a beautiful, if not hilly zoo, with fantastic views of the bays.

We were kindly taken by J, so I didnt have to drive, and Asha really enjoyed playing on the “sky line” and has really mastered making it work for her! I also took a second take at the way she swung on the rope ball, and grabbed hold of the string rope ladder, and climbed off without any help! I truly have a little Monkey at times!

As always we went to watch the Californian Sealions sealions rock , The owl getting a good long fly, and the penguins parade, and spent a while looking at the tiny meerkats.. She also enjoyed the pandas, and the snow leopard. But as she has spent most of today pretending to be an ostrich, on a nest, I guess its the Rhea;s who inspired her immediate imagination the most!

From inside the quarry mens homes, different items from the different years. Can you name them?

We went on Thursday with some friends, we didnt try and see all the way around, as it is fairly local to us, and Asha (and I ) was very tired by now.

A log saw,

and the saw blades!

The length of these was about 1.5 meters long!

There is a series of terraced houses at the national museum, Asha particully liked the babies crib in this house.. :d

however Asha was busy colouring in a picture of the houses,, much more interesting than her ice cream or orange juice!!!

for more info on the slate museum : http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate/

And we went to the cafe, and I just couldnt resist this picture!

The Tamar Bridge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_Bridge

Second breakfast, at the Little Chef.

Whilst walking from the car park to entrance lobby we passed this, beautiful horse.

From chalk quarry, to educational paradise

Asha had a brilliant time, we could have spent all day in just the core. The whole thing was brilliant.

(this post will be extended over coming days)

We did however spend time in both of the other biodomes.

Which did make me wonder if i would go bananas at the heat, and information overload!

But luckily, we found a lovely sheltered house to rest near.

After some time, we decided it was time to eat

so asha planted some seeds, for next years harvest.

Day one, we went for a potter around Torquay. We found the joke shop

We went there a few times, they had a good range of fancy dress accessories, as well as adult masks, outfits etc..

The window was well decorated as well.

Be afraid, very....

In 199* it was year of the pedestrian, during this time a statue was put up in Torquay and the following fountains built. Whilst they are quite beautiful, I cant but think that an orchard, could have been planted instead!

There was a statue, also built to celebrate this!

Statue of Pedestrians in Torquay