tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17529882570739680332024-03-23T16:22:47.115+00:00The MuminatorChaotic blogging with Lego under my instepGodders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-77742514140585506232017-08-18T09:24:00.000+01:002017-08-18T09:24:06.084+01:006 year old with a Baker's Cyst<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were out geocaching last weekend, climbing up and down hills, getting our wellies sucked off by mud and generally having fun for around 3 hours with friends. That evening, we were due round our friends for a BBQ and my youngest, who is 6, changed from her leggings into shorts and off we went. The girls went out to play when we got there and it was then that my friend asked what was wrong with N's leg. We had no idea and looked and saw a huge lump behind her left knee!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N's left knee - leg straight - showing the Baker's Cyst</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can imagine, we were really worried about it. It wasn't bothering her at all but I wasn't leaving anything to chance and we headed to our local walk-in centre to get it checked. N was very upset as she was worried about what would happen in hospital but with some reassurance, she calmed down a little. The nurses were wonderful with her and not worried. They said it was probably a </span><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bakers-cyst/Pages/Introduction.aspx" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Baker's Cyst</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, also known as a Popliteal Cyst. Not so common in </span><a href="http://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ortho/factsheets/BAKERS-CYST.pdf" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">children</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as in adults apparently. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, they decided to phone the paediatric doctors at our main hospital as it had come up so quickly and they also wanted to rule out DVT (deep-vein thrombosis), whilst they sorted out an ice pack for it and suggested she take Ibuprofen to help with the swelling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctors at our main hospital asked to see us, so we drove straight there (hubby and other daughter were still at the BBQ as it seemed daft for us all to go). We were seen within 5 minutes by the triage nurse and less than 10 minutes later, we were in seeing the paediatric doctor. After a chat to N and myself, she had a look at it. She suggested it may have been there for some time, but I am positive it had come up that day. N has a habit of wandering around the house in her underwear so her legs are on display a lot and I'm absolutely positive I'd have noticed something the size of a golf ball sticking out the back of her leg!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still somewhat visible when knee bent a little</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctor went off and consulted with another doctor (more senior I assumed by the way her spoke). He came in and chatted to us and then switched off the lights and looked at the cyst with a light, pointing out the fluid in it. He said that it looked like a </span><a href="http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jdms/papers/Vol14-issue8/Version-4/L014845961.pdf" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Baker's Cyst</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but it had probably been there some time to get to that size. Again, I disagreed as we would have noticed that. He checked her pulse down her leg and said it was all fine. They went off to chat some more, having spoken briefly to me about an x-ray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few minutes later the first doctor was back with N's discharge forms. I questioned the x-ray but it had been decided as she wasn't in pain, to phone my doctor on Monday and ask them to arrange for an ultrasound scan, which I duly did and we're now waiting for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having done some reading on this type of cyst, they can take from months to years to go away and have a relatively high chance of reoccurring. There's some information on Baker's Cysts in pediatric patients <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3558073/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say that the cyst doesn't bother N at all, but if I'm honest, it bothers me. It looks very big on her tiny leg and I really want them to do something about it - drain it maybe. I guess we'll have to see what the doctor suggests after the ultrasound is done. I'll keep you posted.</span>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-20717549041092475622014-08-07T08:17:00.003+01:002014-08-07T08:24:03.518+01:00Camden Town Market (and being ripped off at the Darkside shop!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Teen and I hopped on the train and headed to Camden. I have to say I love my student railcard as two travelcards cost us just over £24. That's good value!<br />
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Arriving at Camden this time, we aimed straight for the Stables Market which we entirely overlooked last time! Wow! This place is huge. Absolutely adored all the wonderful horse sculptures everywhere. Had a good look around and J got the cutest little necklace that is actually a mini pocket watch style. What a neat idea. There was a huge variety of styles of them but she settled for one with little wings. She said it looked like The Golden Snitch from Harry Potter films.<br />
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Found a lovely lady selling some steampunk gear and had a good chat to her. I'm going to need a fortune for this trend.<br />
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Having had a good look around, stopped for lunch at our favourite Chinese place at Camden Lock and ate our dishes of rice, bang bang chicken and sweet & sour chicken. Very filling. Lovely sitting on those half Vespa bikes. What a good use for old stuff like that. Refreshed, we walked around that part of the market.<br />
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Next we headed off and picked J up a lovely H&R dress. She looks amazing in it. I decided to buy one two but in a different style. Having tried a couple on (quite a challenge over clothes you're already wearing) I found one that was perfect. The stall holder wanted £85 for them both, giving me a 'saving' of £10. I said £80. He said £85 minimum...you get the drift. Anyway, we settled on the two dresses we liked, he bagged them up and I handed him £80 and said, there you go, £80 as agreed. He looked bemused. We said goodbye and walked off. Smug face (but only for a while - I'll tell you at the end). <br />
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Then off into a shoe shop as J wanted some school shoes but a DM style. She spotted a pair she really liked and tried them on. They looked great and she said they were really comfortable. I was surprised at the price - just £30. Turns out they are vegan shoes! I asked about leather ones and was told they had 'proper' DMs but they were almost £100. Hey, vegan is great ;-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darkside Camden - come on in (and be ripped off big time!)</td></tr>
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We then headed off to try and find a band merchandise place we'd seen last time we were there. Having walked up and down the street twice, we just couldn't spot it. I then decided to head into Darkside to gawp at the amazing boots they have and have a look at their steampunk and Hell Bunny clothing. I spotted a cloak I'd have loved (but where would I wear it?), a 'Victorian' style outfit (hubby would have killed me at over £200 for a skirt and top) and a boddice for £90. We then went downstairs to see some more dresses. I tried on a Hell Bunny hell bunny one (yes, the rabbit on the dress had demonic eyes) and then a Spin Doctor - Hell Bunny's darker side - one with 3 straps at the waist and a kind of occult type pattern. Very funky. I fell in love with the Spin Doctor one and with it costing £69.99, just £10 more than the HB one, I decided to go for it. Yippee! Two dresses for me. We then headed back to the market to pick up a band t-shirt for J and I got a t-shirt with skulls on too (J liked it - it says 'forever young' which made me smile as she said I am) :)<br />
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Having now shopped for over 3 hours, we decided to head home as there was nothing else we wanted. Nice train ride back and home late afternoon. Hubby loved my dresses and J looked amazing in hers (without her other clothes underneath).<br />
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This is where it all goes wrong....<br />
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I decided to see what sort of bargains we had got today. It turns out none. Yes, you heard me, NONE! It seems Camden Town Market and shops are now the biggest rip-off going. Why? Let me explain.<br />
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Firstly, Darkside. A store selling Spin Doctor and Hell Bunny outfits to name but a few. My dress £69.99. I have found the same dress - <b>THE SAME</b> - on 5 other websites. Guess how much? An unbelievably, ripped-off, sick feeling £49.99. That's £20 CHEAPER than Darkside. WTF? I sent a stinking email and Tweet to them. How could they possibly justify such a price hike? Had their pricing been incorrect? Hey, I'd like a refund of that 'extra' £20 you appear to have skimmed off me. Their response? Nothing. Nada. Zip. F*** all. My advice - <b><u>NEVER, EVER, EVER buy from DARKSIDE CAMDEN</u></b>! Go in, try it on, then go home and order it online for far less money (from <a href="https://www.katesclothing.co.uk/Spin-Doctor-s/5348.htm" target="_blank">Kate's Clothing</a>, <a href="http://www.violentdelights.co.uk/brand-spin-doctor/?page=3" target="_blank">Violent Delights</a>, The <a href="http://www.the-gothic-shop.co.uk/tabitha-dark-arts-dress-spin-doctor-p-5957.html" target="_blank">Gothic Shop</a> or even Amazon!). Use them as a glorified changing room. I'm utterly disgusted. Serious lesson learned. <br />
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Oh, it gets worse still. The two Hearts & Roses (H&R) dresses I bartered the market trader down to £80 for? Yep, you guessed it. J's is £25 through Amazon (£15 less) and mine is £35 on Amazon (£5 less). So in all, going to Camden *COST* us £40 more for the clothes we bought.<br />
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Now, all that said, we had a lovely girlie day out together which you just don't get online shopping. But I'll tell you something for nothing, if'/when we next go, I'll be looking at Amazon's website, and places like Kate's Clothing, etc as I'm in the shop or at the stall, and will pay not a penny more than they are asking or we'll try it on, test it for fit, and buy it at home where we're not treated like mugs!Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-26998764363817274852014-04-25T11:57:00.001+01:002014-04-25T12:05:08.686+01:00Jelly and Bean - Phonics reading for Children<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jelly and Bean but who is who?</td></tr>
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If you have not heard about these books, sit up and pay attention! <a href="http://www.jellyandbean.co.uk/books.html" target="_blank">Jelly and Bean</a> are the cutest, best books ever to get your youngster reading. <br />
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I first discovered Jelly and Bean by Marlene Greenwood when S brought one home from school as part of her daily read. The book was so cute and really well structured to help her read with her use of phonics and blending. This meant that immediately she was excited because she was 'reading a proper book'. The delight of this discovery is really important in my eyes. Reading is fun. It is not 'homework' or 'boring'. Books like Jelly and Bean mean that children very quickly can 'read' and if they are anything like S, that means they want to read more and more.<br />
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As more Jelly and Bean books arrived home, we fell in love with the cats, the pigs and the dogs. Super characters developing her reading potential as we went along. Each introducing more sounds and blends including tricky words (red words her school call them). <br />
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N wanted to be involved and loved blending the sounds with words that S gave her to read herself. Yes, they shared the books. As S started to bring home books other than Jelly and Bean as her reading progressed, I decided to buy the books for N and her.<br />
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I looked everywhere for the books - usual suspects such as Amazon, Scholastic, The Book People, even eBay, but nothing. I found two listed on Amazon but they were pretty pricey for second hand. Oh dear. Then I Googled them and there they were! I was delighted as you can imagine. Also, what super prices for such lovely sets of books.<br />
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I ordered the original 'white' cover series as that's what S had brought home first. They arrived and both girls wanted them. Isn't that typical. I did tell S they were for N as she was learning and not as clever reading as her, which was accepted as the answer, providing she could read the books too. Yes, of course she could.<br />
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Each book gently introduces new sounds with sweet pictures and lots of repetition. There is a great structure to them and their stages as they increase in complexity as children learn. Now, I'm not a teacher, but as a parent, I love that my girls want to read so for the whole of the Easter holidays, despite them being easy for her now, S read Jelly and Bean books. <br />
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At the end of the books, all the words used are on the back page. This is a great little 'check' for me to see if my girls actually know the words or were guessing from the pictures. They love reading the words they have learned again. In some of the books with more words we make up silly sentences like "Dad sat on a red frog". Anything to get the giggles going.<br />
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N is 3 years and 4 months old and has now read the first lot of Jelly and Bean books I bought for her. Some words are very tricky for her such as 'Bean' and 'Wellington' (with the latter she tends to forget what the letters she's already sounded out are by the time she's reached the last one, ha, ha - but she recognised it once told what it was by sight).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Jelly and Bean books - reading with lunch</td></tr>
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I've just bought the Series B books and she picked one up straight away with her lunch and started to read it. She's not put off by any tricky words because in the whole "I can read all by myself" and "I have read a whole book" are what she says and that's super exciting for her. And that's what matters.<br />
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So, here is my lovely collection (so far) of Jelly and Bean books. I think the Pig Family will be next and I recall much fun about things falling into a pond so I'll have to look those up too. If you are interested in getting your children reading and they are keen, you could do far worse than pick up Jelly and Bean. Pop along to their <a href="http://www.jellyandbean.co.uk/books.html" target="_blank">website</a> or have a chat to them on <a href="https://twitter.com/JellyandBean1" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. <br />
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<i>This review was produced out of the love of Jelly and Bean books for my girls. I was not offered any incentive to write it.</i>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-9738259563990601842013-09-09T14:34:00.003+01:002013-09-09T14:34:51.493+01:00A welly full of smelly mud<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7OeWWH2KuiQcwe8FsHGbUy9Lv53aT5gs5uzBd8-NHr-r_88qktSmxm8BxTuakwoMvlX0H1T7z6TMvqbjciWlwyai8D23687vQzHyhBZAWooVBRDySmImHMViZmVf8CIH9QpXaNgi5egZ/s1600/20130909_094806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7OeWWH2KuiQcwe8FsHGbUy9Lv53aT5gs5uzBd8-NHr-r_88qktSmxm8BxTuakwoMvlX0H1T7z6TMvqbjciWlwyai8D23687vQzHyhBZAWooVBRDySmImHMViZmVf8CIH9QpXaNgi5egZ/s320/20130909_094806.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No children!</td></tr>
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S is now at big school and N started pre-school today. She was very excited about going and I had no issues dropping her in. She just wanted to know where the paints were and off she went. I got home and for the first time in almost 5 years, hubby and I have the house to ourselves. It was quiet. We were lost. So, what better than to hoover up some local caches that we haven't picked up with the girls in tow!<br />
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Parking up in the single space that is near this area, we headed off to <a href="http://coord.info/GC336Q3" target="_blank">Mimbridge Walk 10.5</a> to get the 3 caches we needed to finish this circuit we started about 2 years ago. <br />
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There seemed to be quite a few DNFs on this cache so we suspected we were in for quite a search. There are some good looking suspects around here to go through and the GPS was doing it's usual merry dance so we narrowed down the area with a bit of backwards/forwards walking and set to work searching. The rain was drizzling upon us and we were slip-sliding away trying various acrobatics to check areas. I even attempted to see how deep the stream was but clearly too deep (and phew, what smelly mud) for my wellingtons. After around 15 minutes, I had an idea. Using an implement to keep my knees dry I did some more scrabbling around and voila! there it was. Hubby did the collect as I guided him. A great sense of achievement with so many people not able to get this one. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH_M9DA5-ZJ2_NDx-Hvv7c2RGPImzmeosS_yyHh8sPhIgZFght8xO9RuQJlKmi3db-hdZvrUbIK-2c-nKPkWWwsa0W1bEJO6nZi0F_n3BCWnILX44gn3fezifU6l6daagipZJ4ASkp3vk/s1600/20130909_094817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH_M9DA5-ZJ2_NDx-Hvv7c2RGPImzmeosS_yyHh8sPhIgZFght8xO9RuQJlKmi3db-hdZvrUbIK-2c-nKPkWWwsa0W1bEJO6nZi0F_n3BCWnILX44gn3fezifU6l6daagipZJ4ASkp3vk/s320/20130909_094817.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child free caching</td></tr>
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Away we headed, in reverse, to <a href="http://coord.info/GC1PTV8" target="_blank">Mimbridge Walk 10</a>. A quick spot here but to be honest, I thought it was just litter and nearly didn't pick it up but the GPS was insistent. Quite surprised unless it's camoflague has come off. Signed and off we went again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy peasy</td></tr>
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Our walk continued to <a href="http://coord.info/GC1PTV1" target="_blank">Mimbridge Walk 9</a> where the cachers path was quite obvious. I decided to send hubby through the stingers to make the collect as I sheltered my phone from the rain. A quick find and then back we went to the car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5mdz3IO2bnedgnhnsu0O5Smi8SVn5pnvbq-red6IT-LHWfwxulFxF1PnabpiCiE4xH6e5b7ECe_OQu2rCIsyDl9F6maKSyTur7P7u_MlBJC9ORZ0NGO33LzCNML31onh8HRE0qX9yRLr/s1600/20130909_102824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5mdz3IO2bnedgnhnsu0O5Smi8SVn5pnvbq-red6IT-LHWfwxulFxF1PnabpiCiE4xH6e5b7ECe_OQu2rCIsyDl9F6maKSyTur7P7u_MlBJC9ORZ0NGO33LzCNML31onh8HRE0qX9yRLr/s320/20130909_102824.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got it</td></tr>
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It seemed a shame to call it a day here so we decided to head off to Egham to pick up the ones that we managed to miss last time. Do you remember when we climbed through someone's garden (blog on that <a href="http://themuminator.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/mind-if-i-climb-your-garden-fence.html" target="_blank">here</a>)? Yep, those ones.<br />
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We parked up and I decided to put on my hat (I am not a fan of hoods) as the rain was coming down quite hard now. <a href="http://coord.info/GC4F934" target="_blank">6 Egham's Wildlife Walk</a> was first on our radar - another reverse circuit for us. The GPS didn't like the trees and we wandered around near Callow Hill for a while and then back-tracked a little to make the find. Recognise these quite easily now. <br />
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Off to <a href="http://coord.info/GC4F92G" target="_blank">5 Egham's Wildlife Walk</a> next which hubby remembered would be a footpath at the back of the Rose & Olive Pub. I'm glad he knew where he was going as I was confused about where the path should be. Away we went and the spot was made quite quickly as we approached. A great little cache container but quite obvious against it's surroundings. Signed and the ham sandwich was unwrapped (well, caching does make you peckish).<br />
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Away we went, the right side of the fence this time, to the next one. Hubby commented that the angle of the barbed wire on top implied whoever owned the land was keeping something in, rather than out. Umm....I still wonder what is roaming around in there that they need CCTV in the middle of a field. There were some hole dug under the fencing so perhaps whatever it was had escaped?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIBuJWiKlK57yTfcnXVMSfib9OYVs1VEPxyOFh9KXIKYIMuGQqsxy1k3cIPvCNt2RL9Qq8yKaRMt_H8ghvDtr8iHaemVlulX69DOjuMyQz3RAQ_61x724UC2dQM2xTxv2jCEMh95YSm1T/s1600/20130909_112028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIBuJWiKlK57yTfcnXVMSfib9OYVs1VEPxyOFh9KXIKYIMuGQqsxy1k3cIPvCNt2RL9Qq8yKaRMt_H8ghvDtr8iHaemVlulX69DOjuMyQz3RAQ_61x724UC2dQM2xTxv2jCEMh95YSm1T/s320/20130909_112028.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up and down</td></tr>
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I spotted <a href="http://coord.info/GC4F927" target="_blank">4 Egham's Wildlife Walk</a> as we approached as it looked a bit obvious. I think to a non-cacher though, it would appear relatively normal. Quick sign of the log and the crisps were deployed as we carried on.<br />
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It is very strange to be walking along at a reasonable pace not having a small person shouting "Carry me!" every now and again whilst standing in front of you so you almost fall over trying to avoid her, and another saying "Can I have another cheese sandwich?" as we go along. Odd but kind of nice. We could certainly get a pace on.<br />
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<a href="http://coord.info/GC4F91Z" target="_blank">3 Egham's Wildlife Walk</a> was a prickly little devil so once again hubby was sent in to tackle the hidey-hole. Nice easy find. He then noticed that there was rusty barbed wire all along the ground here on the left hand side of the footpath as we were walking along. It was like a fence had been pulled down but the barbed wire just left as a boundary marker. We both commented about how unpleasant that would be with children with us as you could hardly see it but it ran all the way along until the large, green, metal fencing appeared. They certainly like to keep things in/out around this area don't they!<br />
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<a href="http://coord.info/GC4F6MX" target="_blank">2 Egham's Wildlife Walk</a> needed a bit of too-ing and fro-ing for the GPS to settle under the tree cover but a relatively quick spot was made. Spider-sense (or should that be caching-sense) working super well today in the drizzle. <br />
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<a href="http://coord.info/GC2ZAHQ" target="_blank">Cream Teas</a> was next on the list. Didn't really understand the clue until we got to GZ. I thought it was rhyming-slang or something but then the penny dropped. Nice size cache container.<br />
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Back to the path and we had finished of the part where we had gone so wrong before! Next time hubby says "I can see a path there" I'll listen to him (I didn't mention that last time did I. Oh no, I was simply following the compass which is why it went so askew). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinky leg</td></tr>
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Final one of the day we decided would be <a href="http://coord.info/GC3G8J9" target="_blank">Just Log it!</a> We weren't quite sure which side of the little stream it would be so went round where we suspected. Typically, we were the wrong side. Hubby spotted a plank and went across to look. I followed. Unfortunately it seems my welly was overly keen to take a dip and just before I reached the other side, I slipped! Foot off the plank straight up to my knee in mud and water - stinky mud may I say. I shouted "<strike>Oh shit</strike> whoops a daisy" as I scrambled out holding my phone high in front of me. Boy did I smell. That mud is really not nice. I was laughing though as hubby made the spot. A great cache to finish on and pleased we found it.<br />
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Now I just had to squelch my way back to the car and hope my jeans dried a bit and the smell would subside. <br />
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A fun few hours out and a shower as soon as I got in (and the washing machine on) *grin*Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-10593052032141202372013-08-29T16:58:00.001+01:002013-08-29T16:58:38.808+01:00Sculpture Trail at RHS Wisley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise1jJ20edzjMomzlaPj0XoOCZExfvFhG6Nd7NYRio3kjUz87vhhyIMJP-HiEh5jPFWK3j5spsEQSggM0NOI97T3GwBeeVRWxFLXxc0wzmr-yvrGW1omiMksVBphrBjN5X00y9ruVG5l10/s1600/20130829_111233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise1jJ20edzjMomzlaPj0XoOCZExfvFhG6Nd7NYRio3kjUz87vhhyIMJP-HiEh5jPFWK3j5spsEQSggM0NOI97T3GwBeeVRWxFLXxc0wzmr-yvrGW1omiMksVBphrBjN5X00y9ruVG5l10/s320/20130829_111233.jpg" width="320" /></a>We popped over to our favourite gardens today, <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley" target="_blank">RHS Wisley</a>, not realising the Sculpture Trail was on. <br />
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Fun to see the creative lawn-mowing that had taken place as we entered. Sadly I needed to be about 7' tall for you to get the full effect but you get the jist I'm sure.<br />
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Lots of very good sculptures to look at this year and still, I'm pleased to say, quite a few we had no clue what they were. <br />
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We like a bit of intrigue in our lives *grin*<br />
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The girls led the way and off we went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LxOAGxGeAjDOrDRLxuWcGXztvlIjMaQhZtIq-5y-4peGJlfzntqtkFe1vjnHlSd2KDXdlefpZIkXho7LQFwq2yHLSO6JaEJn2A6FjI_yDpUOv_lWT0kq8b8iFNxS92JPn1wLPFIvBk6Z/s1600/20130829_111814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LxOAGxGeAjDOrDRLxuWcGXztvlIjMaQhZtIq-5y-4peGJlfzntqtkFe1vjnHlSd2KDXdlefpZIkXho7LQFwq2yHLSO6JaEJn2A6FjI_yDpUOv_lWT0kq8b8iFNxS92JPn1wLPFIvBk6Z/s320/20130829_111814.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous tree - but around £16,000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTAlJDp8EBDadRucRSLL2WO89Ef7iwIndWLbWfE39bF_UqZ8Kji-UWDgTQGunnUGvHaGPi9sITG3UPv-K_sRw1aLOVWMJGfE3MTz5jP1M1xSLgbVr_O8AQRhmRbs7EhphyK34GRb7pxXL/s1600/20130829_111833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTAlJDp8EBDadRucRSLL2WO89Ef7iwIndWLbWfE39bF_UqZ8Kji-UWDgTQGunnUGvHaGPi9sITG3UPv-K_sRw1aLOVWMJGfE3MTz5jP1M1xSLgbVr_O8AQRhmRbs7EhphyK34GRb7pxXL/s320/20130829_111833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpndDkp53-Pt9sknLKLkS6YIuCaKrQn6CqBlmrg_grzA_Gq6Tmzy_TIxkrVBh0JR97bxR6ULfA8j6aEms7QnV9bcw4FNzul6Ar53emYtzTHbpBE8PcvnMEFSyKTyHQB3wQ4nAs2igyZ-mN/s1600/20130829_111855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpndDkp53-Pt9sknLKLkS6YIuCaKrQn6CqBlmrg_grzA_Gq6Tmzy_TIxkrVBh0JR97bxR6ULfA8j6aEms7QnV9bcw4FNzul6Ar53emYtzTHbpBE8PcvnMEFSyKTyHQB3wQ4nAs2igyZ-mN/s320/20130829_111855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This one of the tiger was excellent but I needed to get the girls round to the front quickly before they started asking too many questions as it was clearly a male *cough*<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAX0cLVH7S4AjnAcJ2pWenzqt02X64SlmQgSvT7JDILiE_uZlKjQZhnPQT-6sDN8o6YO1Z_yE2nZpsrB0jbTtABNjKCmzMpOQfwnk9YUQgmvDLNRCtmJRcfwmcBjA_Tw-k1lRGLPXwIhK/s1600/20130829_111909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAX0cLVH7S4AjnAcJ2pWenzqt02X64SlmQgSvT7JDILiE_uZlKjQZhnPQT-6sDN8o6YO1Z_yE2nZpsrB0jbTtABNjKCmzMpOQfwnk9YUQgmvDLNRCtmJRcfwmcBjA_Tw-k1lRGLPXwIhK/s320/20130829_111909.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's behind you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiakB58c-Fy4CCIGyzhqwUOeRphvfxSxSLW2OgotVBJVd8jmJfTEczQTzgc1PZQKvTQwR-CNKWfu-rfVvTmNudXFsHD0ibbNYqUVWBejCpvckI3bgo6OMb-khHL9XSi8JkV96jwrGV97yd/s1600/20130829_111919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiakB58c-Fy4CCIGyzhqwUOeRphvfxSxSLW2OgotVBJVd8jmJfTEczQTzgc1PZQKvTQwR-CNKWfu-rfVvTmNudXFsHD0ibbNYqUVWBejCpvckI3bgo6OMb-khHL9XSi8JkV96jwrGV97yd/s320/20130829_111919.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd8f0DTEBhVw4vN75WUvi6Z4vgbApQ0bsYT_stzhqWoQrYE3619TSxr0dVguImsyMmsFsAGJfV3RNuIii-rJWoqq33FER6_xpIY0Ero1_9GTTkW0RlfizL9GghnhV7vScplhAg_lbM_u4/s1600/20130829_112006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd8f0DTEBhVw4vN75WUvi6Z4vgbApQ0bsYT_stzhqWoQrYE3619TSxr0dVguImsyMmsFsAGJfV3RNuIii-rJWoqq33FER6_xpIY0Ero1_9GTTkW0RlfizL9GghnhV7vScplhAg_lbM_u4/s320/20130829_112006.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouncing Tiger, Hidden Children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasz1-XmntP4tC-yEoMK8C4nb2JkJ7B1S4ehYqINqE2FvdYCO5C8EPiyHcf7PgJLt01kvpkd-uT-875LCd2o9G49PK4si44P_M6-SwsExZqP3xxRkIaVBWqj5LMUzeWqRpHz9_an-37tIQ/s1600/20130829_112428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasz1-XmntP4tC-yEoMK8C4nb2JkJ7B1S4ehYqINqE2FvdYCO5C8EPiyHcf7PgJLt01kvpkd-uT-875LCd2o9G49PK4si44P_M6-SwsExZqP3xxRkIaVBWqj5LMUzeWqRpHz9_an-37tIQ/s320/20130829_112428.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy Pods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjnXD9lssA8URfeEh0dsuPBpz_RtkQ3svC4-UXIsw7Fw5htaKXmL_bpGqeBXqycOGW-jifpYQkb4_P9XwwgQg2WMmV18qsZLdZxj6JoSO7bxLoKUFQpXItg-W4sfR0DRxOqqjVlkWkdJQ/s1600/20130829_112443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjnXD9lssA8URfeEh0dsuPBpz_RtkQ3svC4-UXIsw7Fw5htaKXmL_bpGqeBXqycOGW-jifpYQkb4_P9XwwgQg2WMmV18qsZLdZxj6JoSO7bxLoKUFQpXItg-W4sfR0DRxOqqjVlkWkdJQ/s320/20130829_112443.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fawn Head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRuCdRH2RoYn-S9XdEs4Esif55iAN11-sPfhZn98ZvdwnkD693O2pT4u2qG8mMrc58gqHezSaaO4uaa23oBFd4TwBpHxSvxRmp7fyKvNKL4bPNawhNmOsgnOSrahdqaNmXRHiZDMdQ49G/s1600/20130829_112942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRuCdRH2RoYn-S9XdEs4Esif55iAN11-sPfhZn98ZvdwnkD693O2pT4u2qG8mMrc58gqHezSaaO4uaa23oBFd4TwBpHxSvxRmp7fyKvNKL4bPNawhNmOsgnOSrahdqaNmXRHiZDMdQ49G/s320/20130829_112942.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circus, Afro, Circus, Afro...no polkadots though</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Nj2nKakY1p8XNQNcYlUUlnNbzQOrZw-sNMqgj7b3E-rwiIDFPMfN3j7Lxf8QqARjd9eQ8ppsCyufYfSEPw9mqCTXBDHULF8nJzAYUqKbPUdArGZlmAQPPGQ1j9bdFlxk2eYtFZnK9Zj/s1600/20130829_113055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-Nj2nKakY1p8XNQNcYlUUlnNbzQOrZw-sNMqgj7b3E-rwiIDFPMfN3j7Lxf8QqARjd9eQ8ppsCyufYfSEPw9mqCTXBDHULF8nJzAYUqKbPUdArGZlmAQPPGQ1j9bdFlxk2eYtFZnK9Zj/s320/20130829_113055.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurSOXCGlR0uX2mg5uvjqN1fadsXo544pPEv3FA2vSmSWV8go6dNCDP46TJzwfrGWvINPjTAmVERenqu_DsYzjQc82jRxu6b5fASGh7bBrg7qE2bg93Rk0aMx3OstvAI5DDLvNjN9n2UxG/s320/20130829_113224.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The girls liked this one but wanted to climb on it which I don't think was the sculpture's idea really.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurSOXCGlR0uX2mg5uvjqN1fadsXo544pPEv3FA2vSmSWV8go6dNCDP46TJzwfrGWvINPjTAmVERenqu_DsYzjQc82jRxu6b5fASGh7bBrg7qE2bg93Rk0aMx3OstvAI5DDLvNjN9n2UxG/s1600/20130829_113224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurSOXCGlR0uX2mg5uvjqN1fadsXo544pPEv3FA2vSmSWV8go6dNCDP46TJzwfrGWvINPjTAmVERenqu_DsYzjQc82jRxu6b5fASGh7bBrg7qE2bg93Rk0aMx3OstvAI5DDLvNjN9n2UxG/s1600/20130829_113224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6Hg0X9Q8YuQp3v_IvoDwNXQjogkkC7IK-o5CpiZrORINZFsSY3LiPOEzGJilq6VYkK8dSJ_chBUTFauPybauGosfOUOXdGNkIfry53cdRWx4_uNbST_YAlrKCyPzW3NCcjfJZI-f-tY0/s1600/20130829_113641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6Hg0X9Q8YuQp3v_IvoDwNXQjogkkC7IK-o5CpiZrORINZFsSY3LiPOEzGJilq6VYkK8dSJ_chBUTFauPybauGosfOUOXdGNkIfry53cdRWx4_uNbST_YAlrKCyPzW3NCcjfJZI-f-tY0/s320/20130829_113641.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6R2NoDEMJWfM6OgZBU3busG4dpHVN0z_WGTVeeBQBA4qoLmhI8oD5qh7kYoi9KJBDOH9v9hD5LHsFY5hScH6-gLYcy3XAXcjeHZt2QZhLfjzlV4VgulkiDT9KU4sYBdwLDGZMyFUNSi7/s1600/20130829_113649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6R2NoDEMJWfM6OgZBU3busG4dpHVN0z_WGTVeeBQBA4qoLmhI8oD5qh7kYoi9KJBDOH9v9hD5LHsFY5hScH6-gLYcy3XAXcjeHZt2QZhLfjzlV4VgulkiDT9KU4sYBdwLDGZMyFUNSi7/s320/20130829_113649.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly scary owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIDexmAK4Ng-W6Con62vhOFSqNQ75Hk0hqLx5kisBcS0XFoTwGdgZat8AZtjp845BwLK3kSIkBb__EftHR9NQCpEvtz7VOZv4AcnZRcdJFxvTGIxrEOLD5h2r6mqMXkDKhZkAAYJC0W0P/s1600/20130829_113724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIDexmAK4Ng-W6Con62vhOFSqNQ75Hk0hqLx5kisBcS0XFoTwGdgZat8AZtjp845BwLK3kSIkBb__EftHR9NQCpEvtz7VOZv4AcnZRcdJFxvTGIxrEOLD5h2r6mqMXkDKhZkAAYJC0W0P/s320/20130829_113724.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told the girls it was a Monk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWK8NfauyUFrP1aA_Vc0N9vt1XzIUFjNLNn7JP0OPj0M34hK5C4wV2y-vbBBxoWJx4sqOEHO50hmOBW9p4aUp3a_uFCTD7krXLl0JNZfRnnr-mrXiYmPzi-yBiAROlPfs-GFfGySsrFi7/s1600/20130829_114250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWK8NfauyUFrP1aA_Vc0N9vt1XzIUFjNLNn7JP0OPj0M34hK5C4wV2y-vbBBxoWJx4sqOEHO50hmOBW9p4aUp3a_uFCTD7krXLl0JNZfRnnr-mrXiYmPzi-yBiAROlPfs-GFfGySsrFi7/s320/20130829_114250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I couldn't quite work this one out. Something about half animal, half person (mermaid) and death.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq47Jm81HPHH5ONbc2jswKmgKauU7tpdUGCCiApQwwQXGkZVcEtrv-afUSIRfwSd_eeQwSibJiXHMu6oZ3F9zHiCyxQvhg6cgiXoZKyvMd0sD-_5UMg8S3ENQdhPg2XL0K-U_ic4Z1Ht9/s1600/20130829_114357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq47Jm81HPHH5ONbc2jswKmgKauU7tpdUGCCiApQwwQXGkZVcEtrv-afUSIRfwSd_eeQwSibJiXHMu6oZ3F9zHiCyxQvhg6cgiXoZKyvMd0sD-_5UMg8S3ENQdhPg2XL0K-U_ic4Z1Ht9/s320/20130829_114357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0rhSXIxz2fy92-YRPFJbomGlUkMsFRkzcJExeM5nI_9ubkkqFU8TbnbpyCesE-7rCQvVhKCEXuJgiekmffVqZ4cwwi7nzN1jwlevhp4GnWooWh4JEm02dvhxRWKJk5EKiS01Iis_5ETM/s1600/20130829_114403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0rhSXIxz2fy92-YRPFJbomGlUkMsFRkzcJExeM5nI_9ubkkqFU8TbnbpyCesE-7rCQvVhKCEXuJgiekmffVqZ4cwwi7nzN1jwlevhp4GnWooWh4JEm02dvhxRWKJk5EKiS01Iis_5ETM/s320/20130829_114403.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The girls enjoyed sitting on the big stones watching the fish and ducks.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LSLOH2df3jnyzObPSKlxkIuZTpnUjNm9XzsbW3IQsupj0h1cZOe5FojlS9RHWbnoQ0gXab0bmSzvVf3okXGfm8-cwlKVyHyH7HxsD7SrEf6sItItqWYUGDpFAOX4ByHyFJearUkL9ukX/s1600/20130829_114451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LSLOH2df3jnyzObPSKlxkIuZTpnUjNm9XzsbW3IQsupj0h1cZOe5FojlS9RHWbnoQ0gXab0bmSzvVf3okXGfm8-cwlKVyHyH7HxsD7SrEf6sItItqWYUGDpFAOX4ByHyFJearUkL9ukX/s320/20130829_114451.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell made of fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We liked this one called Seasons and the girls enjoyed looking at all the depictions of the changing seasons. S declared the swallows were in fact "flying fish as they have tails".<br />
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S said this was a see-saw. I'm not sure she was right</div>
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This was S's absolute favourite sculpture. She said it was the best thing she had seen and she loves cats.</div>
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I thought this dog was fantastic. The girls asked if it was real as we approached. It looks just like my sister's collies before they dash off to do their agility trials.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hare today, gone tomorrow</td></tr>
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The grounds outside the main restaurant area were cordoned off with tents going up ready for the Wisley Flower Show which commences soon (yes, we'll be there).<br />
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Another enjoyable day but a quiet note to Wisley staff at the restaurant - open the ice cream parlour before/by Noon as children love your ice cream and so do us adults *smile*Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-44468266440590002892013-08-05T16:33:00.000+01:002013-08-06T12:44:53.518+01:00Glamping and a visit to Warwick Castle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We wanted to give our girls their first experience of camping but at a level I would find acceptable. I did the whole camping thing when I was a mere teen and have no intention of 'roughing it' again. I remember the fun when the sun was shining but the misery of everything just damp <strike>and smelly</strike> when it wasn't. So, what would meet hubby's desire to get under canvas with the girls and my desire for as close to a 5* hotel as we could get the same way - Glamping (that's 'glamourous camping' to you) - sorted!<br />
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I should tell you one or two things that I will/won't do when anyone mentions a tent:<br />
<ol>
<li>I don't do sleeping bags. I get hot. I like to dangle. I sleep with my top half cocooned and my bottom half hanging out (there's an image you can't get rid of now isn't there) so to be stuffed into a polyester bag and be zipped up so I resemble a rather large caterpillar desperately trying to turn into a beautiful butterfly (and failing) is not me.</li>
<li>I'm not keen on communal toilet/shower blocks surrounded by grown men and women in onesies. Some things should be banned from being out in public. I mean, really... I'm also not that wild about walking around in my dressing gown either but I do realise there are some things I just can't have in a tent, like a flushing toilet.</li>
<li>I don't generally like clothes or shoes from Millets.</li>
<li>I won't stand in the rain getting drenched fiddling around with unmarked, bent poles trying to put a tent up in a mudslide. It's just silly and pointless. I'd rather have a caravan.</li>
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We decided to do our Glamping at <a href="http://www.warwick-castle.com/" target="_blank">Warwick Castle</a> as my youngest two also enjoy being princesses and watching 'Mike the Knight' - tenuous connection I know - so they were very excited about visiting a real life castle. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Warwick Castle</td></tr>
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I phoned to book and the reservations staff were brilliant. Very helpful and an information email arrived in my inbox almost immediately. Excellent. We were excited. This was only a couple of weeks away and the weather has been fabulous - into the late 20's/early 30's C every day! Wow, what an adventure we were about to have.</div>
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The day before we left, the Glampsite called us to see if there was anything else we needed. Just one extra blow-up bed for N and we were sorted. No problem, they'd do that for us. What service!</div>
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The day of our departure arrived. We packed up the suitcase, duvets and wellies (well, just in case) and headed for, what our phones reliably informed us, was a sunny but slightly cloudy Warwick.</div>
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As we left the outskirts of London and got further West on the M40, the skies clouded over, went grey and then finally deposited rain on us. "There's blue sky in the distance" we kept telling ourselves but sadly it was moving away as fast as we were trying to approach.</div>
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We arrived at Warwick Castle in rain and parked up in the designated part of the car park. The little 'emblem' you're asked to display in your windscreen helped the car park attendant spot us and direct us into the correct car park, rather than into the one that seemed miles away like everyone else was doing.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glamping in a Bell Tent</td></tr>
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Parking up at around midday, we knew we couldn't get into our tent until 4pm but went off to register and pick up our tickets for the castle itself. Turns out it was the wristbands we were to wear for 2 days that were our pass in and out. Easy, nothing to lose then. The girls got some activity packs they wore around their necks for the Horrible Histories event that was going on. They were excited about collecting the stamps.</div>
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Heading off to the castle, we used the fast-track entrance by the conservatory to get in, the girls immediately spotting a peacock and being surprised at the noise it made when it called. It was at this point we realised we'd left the picnic blanket (almost essential as it has a waterproof bottom to it which is handy on soaking wet grass) in the car. Hubby strolled back and got it while we waited. It rained some more.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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We checked the event times and headed down to what we thought was the Bird of Prey Lawn but sadly were mistaken. Oh well, picnic blanket laid under a tree and we started eating with a little protection. It rained harder. We moved the picnic blanket a bit further under cover and waited for the jousting to start. I would have loved to get close and see the action but I was already starting to feel a bit cold and damp in my shorts and FitFlops so the preferred place to stay was under the tree and that's where we watched the action - along with many like-minded folks. I would love to have a go at jousting. The knights looked fantastic. York cheated but we cheered them on anyway (well, the mother-in-law is from those parts so we had to).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it my turn now?</td></tr>
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Once that was over, we went over to look around the castle itself and book in for the Princess Tower. Once we had our tickets for 4pm, we got an ice cream. Naturally, trying to hide under a nearby tree (yep, still raining hard), S turned around and the ice cream hit the floor with a thud. Hubby got another for her. Typcial child - she ate a bit of it and didn't want anymore after all that. We were soggy now and getting very cold so headed into Warwick itself to find a pub to sit in and dry out a bit. </div>
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That done, the rain had eased a little and we went off and looked for some Geocaches. I was 3 away from my 500th so wanted to do those down here. A Mega was taking place so I chatted to a couple of different cachers as we found some (people wandering around looking at phones and walking backwards and forwards or holding Garmins in front of them is a bit of a give-away. Nice to meet King Prawn and Canal Cruisers though). As we headed into the Castle again, I spotted #500. Not the most exciting of places but who cares, it was a cache.</div>
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J and I booked tickets for all of us for the Merlin Tower tomorrow at midday. The ladies in the ticket booth said it would be fine for a 2 year old. J really wants to see this 'show' as she loves the BBC series.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle with wooden swords</td></tr>
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We went to see the Stormin Normans at the top of the steps overlooking some of the grounds where the girls dressed up and did some sword fighting which they really enjoyed. I had to keep them apart though as I'm sure that N particularly, would have been well suited to being in battle! <br />
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Later we headed to the Measly Middle Ages as part of the Horrible Histories Foul Fayre that was going on. The girls enjoyed the rat throwing here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling with rats</td></tr>
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With hubby happy to do the princess show himself with the girls, J and I headed back to the Glampsite and unloaded the car and settled everything into our #20 tent. They'd forgotton N's bed but they did that immediately. Great service again. Hubby arrived back about 20 minutes later (the princess show wasn't very long). We settled into the tent and relaxed a little out of our soaking jackets and wet summer sandals. The facilities were good with plenty of toilets, showers and a pamper tent filled with hairdryers and mirrors, as well as the all important plugs to charge your phones with (if any of us had brought a charger).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only way to stop a teen using her phone</td></tr>
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At 6pm we decided to have the BBQ that was provided (at a cost of £10 per adult and £5 per child) on the site. N wasn't charged which was good. This was where things went a bit wrong. For starters, there just weren't enough tables inside as people didn't want to sit out in the rain. After about 15 minutes waiting (getting a bit irritated with one guy sitting at an empty table waiting for the rest of his friends to join him when we could have been in, eaten and out in the time it took for them to do so), we sat down. It took another little wait and a prompt to get the table cleared away and wiped over, which wasn't done very well. Hubby and I went up to get the food for us and the youngest two while J looked after them. As we got to the front of the queue, the chips had run out. Scanning the rest of the food - which wasn't quite what was described and looked so tasty in the brochure - we decided we needed chips for sure. Another wait ensued while they finished cooking and the smallest amount were then tipped into the waiting hot area. Unfortunately, it seems they could only cook one lot at a time and by the time us and the two people after us had theirs served up, there were none left again. The chicken certainly wasn't BBQ'd thighs but more Birds Eye chicken in breadcrumbs - very nice though - and the roasted root veg was either missing or perhaps that was what the pan of courgettes and aubergines were supposed to be. I have to say, very disappointing for the £10 each we paid. You could fill your plate as much as you could (not the biggest plates either) but you couldn't go back again so we didn't feel we got our money's worth and the pub may have been a better option (which we considered). J went to get hers while we sat down. The food was ok but about the only BBQ'd thing was the burger, which we didn't have. I think they need to work on their food service and quality some more. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HGs5dh8GmSAHjlwEFsiIUWypdj6G-Bq0VJBsqmK86kzmIf1DmyzTU0x57O4jU4uYnFzXCjcN7TDvYgoBpJpjstr7ds1ajbFu4RveuzhAl_iSW1YNKoOjVEJ53-qi-1wfRIPBNG5TMzpF/s1600/20130805_095924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HGs5dh8GmSAHjlwEFsiIUWypdj6G-Bq0VJBsqmK86kzmIf1DmyzTU0x57O4jU4uYnFzXCjcN7TDvYgoBpJpjstr7ds1ajbFu4RveuzhAl_iSW1YNKoOjVEJ53-qi-1wfRIPBNG5TMzpF/s320/20130805_095924.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horses must have been strong</td></tr>
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Dessert time and they had run out of the jelly that the girls had so wanted (we didn't do what some people were doing and pick up their meal and dessert all at the same time or run up and snatch the two or three jellies that were put out at a time - a lesson learned). The cheesecake was very nice but both mine and hubby's was still icy inside. Again, lack of preparation or realisation that it would be so popular. J had the chocolate cake which she shared with N and really enjoyed.</div>
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That done it was back to the tent for some more nibbles there that we had with us in our cool bag.</div>
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We then headed off for the evenings entertainment. </div>
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There was a Jester School, Knight School and Archery, all provided on a complimentary basis to the glampers. We did Archery which was great fun and Jester School which was brilliant. The jester himself was fantastic with the children and adults alike and I was busy trying to learn to juggle while the girls were spinning plates, walking on flower-pot stilts and having lots of fun.</div>
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N was the smallest person the archer had seen so far. She did really well though and got a bullseye. J was a natural and he commented on her skill. I think we'll need to find lessons for her!<br />
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We went back to the tent about 8.30pm and settled down. We knew it wouldn't be easy to get the girls to sleep but what didn't help were the one or two sets of families who thought letting their children run riot around the campsite was a good idea. By 11pm hubby was still sitting outside the tent enjoying the evening when he told one lot of young children to clear off and be quiet. The <strike>unruly little gits</strike> kids were running up to people's tents and shining torches into them. There's always one as we say.</div>
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Naturally we took ages to get to sleep. The people one side of us had some boys who were just chatting and using their games consoles up loud for a while and the other side was someone who kept playing one or two cords of their guitar but never any more. I felt like shouting "For christ's sake, give us a bloody song or shut up". I realise now why we lived in a detached house...*grumpy old woman I am*</div>
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I must have drifted off to sleep eventually and woke around 1am to hear the rain pouring down. Now that's a sound that I love in a tent. Let's hope it's gone by the morning.</div>
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Around 3am hubby rolled over to cuddle me and was met with a "Don't touch me!". You guessed it, I needed to go to the toilets but no way was I getting dressed and putting a coat on at this time in the morning in the pouring rain, so it would have to wait. He survived until 5.30am then gave up and went. I struggled on until about 7.30. I was tempted to use N's potty at one point...</div>
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Breakfast arrived. I had already decided that I wanted just some croissants in the tent so went over and did what the other people did last night - barged into the queue while they were waiting for their full English and asking what kind of sausage it was, and picked up the final 3 croissants on the stand. A few glares but I'm sure they were the same people who stole my children's jelly the night before so *thumb on nose* to them. Yummy strawberry jam mini-jars in hand and back to the tent. S then announced she didn't want a croissant. Typcial. Hubby headed off and brought back toast. She didn't want that either. She just wanted bread. Off he went again. Kids!</div>
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Brekkie done and we packed up and were ready to leave by 8.45am. The castle didn't open until 10am but the grounds opened at 9.30am so we planned to have a little walk around Warwick again before going in. This idea was stopped in its tracks by N having a wee...in her trousers...the only dry ones I had! I therefore had to get her out of them and take them up to the pamper tent to blow them dry with a hairdryer. By the time I had done that, sorted her out, checked out, loaded the last bits into the car, we just walked up and were let in the castle grounds. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's behind you!</td></tr>
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<div>
The girls liked the Terrible Tudors area and had their photo taken. However, the Vile Victorians was too much for them. This involved a work-house school with the two actors taking their parts very seriously. The girls sat down and the lesson began. We were grinning but suddenly noticed S was crying at the little desk. She was very upset by what was going on and quite scared. We had never thought for a second she wouldn't realise it was just role-play and fun showing them some of history but it was too scary for her. We lead her away and she was visibly distressed. Perhaps a note for people with younger children here.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary Vile Victorian School Teachers</td></tr>
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<div>
The castle was now open so we went to the ticket booth to see if we could change our 12 noon tickets for Merlin's Tower to an earlier showing as we didn't want to hang around too long today as the weather was starting to get drizzly again. The lady at the booth said the tickets were non-transferable. I let her know that we weren't told this at the time of purchasing and surely they could not be sold out for earlier shows already, especially as this was an additional paying option. She relented and we got a 10.30am showing so went to the castle to look around inside first. </div>
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Arriving at Merlin's Tower we were warned that the dragons roar may be a little loud for N but just so we knew and were ready for it. However, we didn't get that far. S was scared silly when some bookshelves collapsed in the anti-chamber (all part of the show) and had to go out the emergency exit with hubby and N. I guess it's up to each parent to decide if their child would be ok with it but not knowing quite what to expect before entering, perhaps in hindsight it shouldn't be offered to younger children. J and I carried on. The show lasted less than 15 minutes and really wasn't worth the money we paid. A total disappointment, especially as J loves the BBC series so much. It really appeared to be no more than an opportunity to get you to have a photograph taken and then sell it to you for £7 on exit. Shame.</div>
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That done, we decided to call it a day and buying some swords for the girls, we headed off to the car and home.</div>
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I think the glamping experience would have been much better in the sunshine (isn't everything though?) but that's not the fault of Warwick Castle. However, in a British Summer, not to have a back-up plan for rain was very remiss of them and also knowing how many people they were BBQ'ing for as you had to pay in advance, and running out of food within 30 minutes of opening so people had to wait, was poor.<br />
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Warwick Castle itself is fabulous and wonderful to look around. The history and artifacts you can see are brilliant and I would recommend it for a day out. It will certainly keep you busy and all the staff we spoke to whether at events or in the booths, were superb.</div>
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I was, however, surprised to later find out the Merlin Tower was suitable for age 3 and over (and yet we said we had a 2 year old and no-one warned us until we arrived with our tickets at the entrance) was not terribly good.</div>
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Would we go glamping again? Well, I think hubby would and the girls say they might like to, but as for me? Well, I'll go wait for them all in a local hotel next time. </div>
Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-67439329454622465462013-06-17T09:45:00.002+01:002013-06-17T09:45:45.795+01:00Roseola Infantum - a Harry Potter spell or a virus?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXZWlq57yKoX_Au_a71cRkeBmWrUZkhWmGxGp0Nf58DXX-bOgYs3ekQe0zUfqXDFZyzCrL-fNnt_UiXqMHi6VVloAwYd3Uau7mc0nwoiwmXfB-0xlXY01ugTbvZH_r5SfqgDfvixt1DWR/s1600/20130606_121203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXZWlq57yKoX_Au_a71cRkeBmWrUZkhWmGxGp0Nf58DXX-bOgYs3ekQe0zUfqXDFZyzCrL-fNnt_UiXqMHi6VVloAwYd3Uau7mc0nwoiwmXfB-0xlXY01ugTbvZH_r5SfqgDfvixt1DWR/s320/20130606_121203.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Potter couldn't cast this spell</td></tr>
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No, it's not a Harry Potter spell but a little known virus that affects children between 6 months and 3 years. <br />
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N came out in a rash a couple of weeks ago. As children are, she was fine the day before and we'd been to Wisley having a lovely picnic but the next day she had a rash on her upper back and upper arms. It disappeared when I pressed it (my first course of action for *any* rash) and she wasn't unwell in herself. No temperature or appearing to be under the weather. I presumed that it was simply a heat rash or hives. Perhaps rolling around on the grass at Wisley something had irritated her skin?<br />
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The following day it looked a bit worse and she had it all over her face too. I made an appointment at the doctors for her immediately and a few hours later hubby took her down. Having given her a thorough check, the doctor said it was <a href="http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/threedayfever.htm" target="_blank">Roseola Infantum</a> aka Three Day Fever. <br />
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There seems to be little known about this 'common' virus. Of course, she was contagious but it turns out that she was up to 10 days ago BEFORE the rash even makes an appearance. Typical of a childhood illness isn't it - you don't know you have it until it's too late for everyone around you!<br />
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As she'd been in and out of school with S, I called them up to let them know about it, sending a picture of N's back to help other parents. The children themselves wouldn't catch it but there are also a lot of younger siblings so best to be warned.<br />
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N showed no signs of the temperature during the whole process but the rash did appear on her face so it clearly is different in every child. Some need Calpol (or equivalent) whereas others, like N, were absolutely fine but it's always worth getting it checked out as you want to eliminate anything more serious such as Measles.<br />
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Fortunately a few days later the rash started to vanish (from her face first) and she is back to...errr...the same as she was when she had the rash, just less spotty!Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-46313693175224276982013-04-01T11:29:00.003+01:002013-04-01T11:38:00.593+01:00Stuck in the middle (of the mud) with you<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ks9s2WwMGH24rRFptLbqa6ayQhU8eBene8pAA9AglztvanUbxszDtIXm9tBCyV35vciw-899ldBJbOZeL1Ho0-p0B4mZYJTOGDeYiK0tTWm-yblyIKwi1wqTEC6YGd-Tz7bnU_1QY-zR/s1600/20130330_153414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ks9s2WwMGH24rRFptLbqa6ayQhU8eBene8pAA9AglztvanUbxszDtIXm9tBCyV35vciw-899ldBJbOZeL1Ho0-p0B4mZYJTOGDeYiK0tTWm-yblyIKwi1wqTEC6YGd-Tz7bnU_1QY-zR/s320/20130330_153414.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang</td></tr>
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My step-sister and nieces came down this weekend and we decided to go and get a few more caches to help them add to their total.<br />
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Deciding on a nice, easy walk around, we opted for Horsell Common despite the fact that we had already done all the caches in the area. However, for newbies, there are quite a good variety of caches to be found and it's not too long a walk. </div>
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We also had a puzzle cache to collect there (so clearly no ulterior motive)</div>
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Off we went and parked up opposite the common in a bumpy road at the lay-by. </div>
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Now, we've been to this area before as we said and the pathway had been dry and easy to walk on so we did contemplate not wearing wellies as it hadn't rained much at all of late. However, we all had our wellies in the boots of our cars so decided to don them anyway. That was a good choice!</div>
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We headed through the gate into mud. Lots of it. Off we went to find <a href="http://coord.info/GC1AN86" target="_blank">TV Shows #1</a> which was a nice, quick find. We had solved the puzzle some months ago but hadn't collected it as we didn't need anything else in the area so this was a great excuse to grab it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phones at the ready. Go!</td></tr>
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Right now to to find the other caches for the family. Off we trotted to the first one, <a href="http://coord.info/GC1T3N6" target="_blank">HG Ring 17</a> which was another nice easy find. The folks spotted it quite easily but it was too wet to sign. We had avoided quite a lot of very boggy ground to get to it - much to our surprise. Where had all this water come from?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not at all muddy then</td></tr>
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We aimed for the next one <a href="http://coord.info/GC1PTRT" target="_blank">MIM03</a>. We remembered this one well as we'd sent the teen in to get it last time. This time it was the youngest niece who was sent in for the collect. Gorse is not a nice thing to be around/in and she nearly lost some hair backing out much to our amusement. </div>
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Away we went to the next <a href="http://coord.info/GC1PTRV" target="_blank">MIM04</a>. Oh boy, if we thought the path we'd been on already was muddy, this was a whole new ball game. Hubby and I decided to pass the mini-Scorpios over the fence. He climbed over first and I lifted them up to him so we could avoid the gate altogether but then I and the rest of the family went through. It was a close one with wellies almost sucked off. This cache made the family laugh. The youngest niece was not too keen to make the collect this time as the 'fun guy' looked like it was in a monster's mouth she said. We had a look and had to agree. She did go for it in the end and it was signed.</div>
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Back we went down the very muddy path. The same procedure for the littlest cachers and hubby but the rest of us went through again. Oddly, it seems the gate area had become more muddy in the few minutes since we'd passed. As you can see, it was a bit of a struggle. </div>
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Teen nearly lost her wellie and couldn't move. She was in danger of going for a face-first tumble into the mud so I lent a hand (reluctantly of course LOL). After all, it would have been very funny wouldn't it...</div>
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Off down the muddy path to <a href="http://coord.info/GC1T3PY" target="_blank">HG Ring 13</a>. Away the family went to the lovely, new erected fence and gates. Hubby and I had read them the clue. A bit of "Err....*old* post" followed and then they spotted the culprit and the find was quickly made.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh...there it is</td></tr>
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Just two more to get. On our way to <a href="http://coord.info/GC1T3PK" target="_blank">HG Ring 14</a> S managed to get her welly stuck in the mud. Unfortunately she was still moving forward at the time. I wish I'd got the photograph of her, muddy tights on one side, welly in the mud behind her and hubby holding her up with J trying to get the welly back on while balancing in the mud with her own wellies sinking. We were laughing too much though as we'd only just discussed this very thing happening on a previous muddy cache hunt we had done. Isn't it typical. Oh well, a bit of a muddy welly for two more caches wouldn't hurt.</div>
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HG Ring 14 was a very quick spot as it was pretty much open to view. S grabbed it just as I noticed the huge pile of dog mess right beside it. How disgusting. The family made the sign and put it back quickly. Sorry but we didn't look around for any camo as I was busy wiping S's hand with a wipe just in case any poo had got onto the box. I wish these dog owners would clean up after their animals as there are dog waste bins all around.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love daddy's hat</td></tr>
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We headed into the centre of the area to make one final collection of <a href="http://coord.info/GC1T3PF" target="_blank">HG Ring 16</a>. Hubby spotted it quickly from a distance (cachers eyes were working well today) and we had to give the family a gentle reminder that they needed not to just look 'down' all the time. They soon spotted it and although the log was very damp, they managed to sign it.</div>
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Back we headed to the car. Hubby found a reasonably dry path with N but of course, the rest of us went the more direct (but muddy) one. Well, what difference was one more lump of mud on our wellies going to make?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where did this dry path come from?</td></tr>
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A fun time out and at least the sun shone a bit. We are looking forward to going up to visit the family in June and caching around their area of Milton Keynes.</div>
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Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-42925644223653917492013-02-28T13:19:00.001+00:002013-02-28T13:19:30.811+00:00Impetigo in children<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 of impetigo</td></tr>
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Poor little S. She has had chapped lips for a few days and has complained of them feeling sore. Yesterday she used her chap stick before nursery but when she got home, the area under her bottom lip had gone very red indeed. She said it hurt a bit and we put a little bit of Sudocrem on (no Vaseline in the house unfortunately) to help keep it moist and stop it hurting. Hey, if it works for tiny sore bottoms, it would work for sore lips right?<br />
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Last night a 'spot' appeared on her bottom lip. Oh no, must be a cold sore. I popped a Compeed patch on (couldn't find anywhere that it would be unsuitable for children and it can't hurt surely) to help her as it was feeling very sore. Off she went to bed.<br />
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This morning when she woke up she clearly didn't have a cold sore. I was convinced she had <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Impetigo/Pages/Introduction.aspx" target="_blank">impetigo </a>and looked it up. Yep, sounds like it. Carefully peeled the patch off and put the towels she has used in the wash and got her a 'special one' just for her face. Phoned the doctors and off we went.<br />
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I expected the doctor to give us some Fucidin cream as it seems that is the common prescription for impetigo and therefore I wasn't too concerned about a bit of the scab peeling off with the patch as the medical websites said that the scabs had to be washed off carefully before applying the cream.<br />
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After our usual 1hr 10min wait (our doctor is great but boy can he chat!) we saw him. He took one look at her and said she had quite a bad little impetigo infection. He prescribed an oral antibiotic which she started straight away. Why oh why can't they make these things taste less disgusting for little people? It was foul (I tried a tiny bit) and she cried taking it. I have a supply of chocolate buttons ready for the rest of the doses as it's 4 times a day for 7 days. Also bought some Vaseline to make sure her lips stay moist. She's still got a bit of Sudocrem under her lip in the picture if you wandered what it was.<br />
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Impetigo is caused when the germs get into your body, mostly around the mouth, from cuts or sores. The doc said that her having chapped lips was a good way for it to start. She's had a bit of a cold too which hasn't helped so a bit run down I guess.<br />
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At least she's off nursery for the rest of this week and not back until Monday anyway so no need for her to miss anything (not that they really would miss much at her age). No swimming tomorrow though which is a shame but after 24 hours on the antibiotics she won't be infectious which is good as she has a friend's birthday party on Sunday.<br />
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It seems that impetigo is very common in children. It looks worse that it feels (she told me) but you need to be so careful as it can be passed around the family quite easily. S is brilliant at not touching or picking spots or such so I know that she will be good but it's N I worry about as she loves to poke a spot on your face! S will have to be prepared to bat her away but so far she's been good and just asked about it so we told her and said not to touch.Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-86789038352680226882013-01-14T11:09:00.001+00:002013-01-14T11:09:10.346+00:00Warner Bros Studio Tour - Harry Potter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday J and I headed off to the <a href="http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/" target="_blank">Warner Bros Studio Tour</a> at Leavesden Studios to see The Making of Harry Potter. We were very, very excited.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are!</td></tr>
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We have both watched all the Harry Potter films and have really enjoyed how the story has evolved and the characters matured. It was therefore the icing on the cake to go and see the sets, props and making of.<br />
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Lots of car parking when we arrived and you are directed to spaces, Disney style. Our entrance was at 5.30pm so the place wasn't too busy. <br />
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We couldn't believe it when we were standing just by the large chess pieces outside as a shout went up and running into J's arms was her cousin! Who'd have thought it. She had just come out and said it was brilliant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chess anyone?</td></tr>
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As we were early, we had a hot chocolate to warm ourselves up first in Costa, then decided to look around the gift shop. As expected, unless you had a second mortgage to spend, everything was very expensive. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HaUq7z4CBhHLdAsMOWIV6kaeqmERr3loeCwZCc5uQtmdRFFTnj00AtM-dcjolLdefnB-Z7uu-nGGG4vyplrOpKJ0VBi5czJGjpLa4r5vtntHIwV84EHMF6-CeXP6gp_rz46iyPAkEElN/s1600/IMAG1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HaUq7z4CBhHLdAsMOWIV6kaeqmERr3loeCwZCc5uQtmdRFFTnj00AtM-dcjolLdefnB-Z7uu-nGGG4vyplrOpKJ0VBi5czJGjpLa4r5vtntHIwV84EHMF6-CeXP6gp_rz46iyPAkEElN/s320/IMAG1833.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a nice scarf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would have loved a house scarf but at £25 that just wasn't going to happen.<br />
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The Every Flavour Beans were also a bit of a shock at just shy of £10 a box. We didn't fancy finding they had lots of earwax, vomit or earthworm flavour either. Call us picky.<br />
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We also loved the house cloaks. Excellent for a fancy dress party but at almost £80 each, again it was a luxury we were never going to use. In fact, you could buy pretty much every house colour full uniform there. Amazing.<br />
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Some of the masks, charms and wands were lovely to see. Here is a selection of them. They were £25 each but I would only buy one if they did real magic - sadly they didn't.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TfYEuB5NpkczxLCYA_6Con__XtAyB9xcQo8qlH5vLI3-BlJt-g-I2AD6FQsXBsWgTxMH-Csg78Daib8L5jINMRxl4dUoFkN_ky1IPK1_HJ-B8aC8jHbBaDZg6XukKn0dUS_XgMk_hive/s1600/IMAG1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TfYEuB5NpkczxLCYA_6Con__XtAyB9xcQo8qlH5vLI3-BlJt-g-I2AD6FQsXBsWgTxMH-Csg78Daib8L5jINMRxl4dUoFkN_ky1IPK1_HJ-B8aC8jHbBaDZg6XukKn0dUS_XgMk_hive/s320/IMAG1840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: Harry, Hermione, Ron</td></tr>
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Once we had finished looking around the shop (we bought a chocolate wand and a blood lolly), we went and joined the queue to go in. At the entrance to the tour is the Cupboard Under the Stairs where Harry had his room. A good insight of things to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZuQhi42CbpOWCKnpijD1hyxg6__kYuthlAy5zPO7KZWPN6k_0pJBZIFdbQ_gTF0J5qyeLB0eRRldHXGnx8YCz1D_J8dSGzokjRDPBZ0YKksGn0JYqevFqQuvRelzRLEu37Udy8Aqvugv/s1600/IMAG1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZuQhi42CbpOWCKnpijD1hyxg6__kYuthlAy5zPO7KZWPN6k_0pJBZIFdbQ_gTF0J5qyeLB0eRRldHXGnx8YCz1D_J8dSGzokjRDPBZ0YKksGn0JYqevFqQuvRelzRLEu37Udy8Aqvugv/s320/IMAG1852.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry's bedroom</td></tr>
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The doors opened and in we went. A little film show about how the films came about and then into the theatre next door for another introduction by the main characters. The screen lifted and we were at the entrance to Hogwarts!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcEleCqCPQ5k8MHFzgDZ9BdTYiIw6Xiklb5BeqCPr4igVysGRciEwyx_0MApFRrydE3ezZY_yHaFGHRN5wfGBFolxS75EHuyyPQwy61tCTRsdkgU9_GAQimHW4Vhli4XFhBtfAou1ISLT/s1600/IMAG1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcEleCqCPQ5k8MHFzgDZ9BdTYiIw6Xiklb5BeqCPr4igVysGRciEwyx_0MApFRrydE3ezZY_yHaFGHRN5wfGBFolxS75EHuyyPQwy61tCTRsdkgU9_GAQimHW4Vhli4XFhBtfAou1ISLT/s320/IMAG1855.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hogwarts entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Doors opened and in we went. Wow! It was amazing. Here are a selection of photographs for you. I'm sure you will recognise lots of the areas and props.<br />
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We had to take the opportunity of getting photos of us flying on broomsticks (I'm sure my ex-husband won't be surprised by a picture of me on one). You could also get a photo of yourselves in the flying car. The photos were reasonably priced - £12 for one or £16 for two and as you could mix and match, it was a good offer. J and I were delighted with our pictures and what a lovely memory.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Quidditch game is easy</td></tr>
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After we finished this stage area (there are two called J and K oddly enough - I wonder why? ;-) ), we went to the outside lot where there was the Knight Bus, car, motorbike and sidecar, Privet Drive and the bridge at Hogwarts - all great photo opportunities.<br />
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At the entrance to the next stage were some more chess pieces. They really are magnificent as you can see.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heads without bodies</td></tr>
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Next was the creature feature, where all the masks were made and the creatures designed. Again, amazing to see.<br />
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We then all the technical drawings for different parts of the set. Some of these pieces were then made out of paper.<br />
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Original artwork was on the walls next. I wonder what it is worth?<br />
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Round the corner to some more paper pieces. I never made anything like this out of paper at school!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Hogwarts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whomping Willow - made of paper</td></tr>
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Through another area to literally be met with a Wow! experience. The scale model of Hogwarts. You really can't get the best impression of the fine detail from the photographs but I'm sure you will get an idea of just how impressive it is.<br />
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Lastly, the wands. All the boxes are individually made and there is one for every person who was involved with Harry Potters - writer, cast and crew - from J.K. Rowling through to the driver of the Hogwarts Express and every cameraman, electrician and make-up artist. Amazing to see.<br />
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The Harry Potter tour is a must for any fans. The tickets may well seem expensive but it is worth it. We went for the basic entry ticket. We didn't need a guide book and we didn't hire the digital guide and we really didn't miss out. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, get yourself along.Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-89499356780060809152012-07-06T12:16:00.001+01:002018-01-07T17:13:45.852+00:00Grey teeth after hitting mouth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three weeks ago, S was getting a little over-excited playing with J bouncing around on the sofa (no, she's not supposed to be jumping on furniture but that's another story) and suddenly, went a bit too far forward and hit her mouth on the windowsill. The scream went up instantly. Hubby and I rushed over to her and, after consoling her and getting her to calm down a bit (which took some considerable time), we looked at her mouth. Her top lip was swelling to a fair size but I was more concerned about her teeth. Gently getting her to open her mouth and, with the greatest care that I could, I moved her swollen lip out of the way a bit and checked her teeth. All in place, no bleeding and no wobbles that I could detect. Phew, that was a lucky escape.<br />
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Her lip stayed swollen for just over 3 days and she talked with quite a lisp, bless her. The swelling began to go down and by the end of 5 days, she was back to normal.<br />
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About a week ago - 2 weeks after the bump - I noticed that her top two front teeth were looking a bit darker, as you can see in the picture. Hubby said perhaps she wasn't brushing them very well. This couldn't be the case as she brushes her teeth morning and night and whilst I let her do the morning brush all on her own, the nighttime one I do with her to ensure that she has clean, sparkling teeth for bedtime. In fact, neither she nor N will go to bed until their teeth have been done so even if it's late and, for some reason, we forget, we are soon reminded :) Anyway, I made sure they were brushed well morning and night but they didn't seem to change in colour. In fact, they were getting a bit darker.<br />
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A few days later, we were having dinner and I noticed that they were getting quite grey in colour. Would you believe both hubby and I had forgotten about the bump to her mouth!? Well, kids do so many things and I think we'd need a portable diary if we wrote down every bump/scratch/twist that happened to them both. On realising this could have something to do with her mouth being banged, I looked up teeth getting darker on the web. I found two excellent resources regarding teeth changing colour. The first from <a href="http://cyberdentist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/my-childs-tooth-is-turning-dark.html" target="_blank">Pediatric Dentistry</a> which helped me to confirm what was happening and the second from Tom at <a href="http://www.oralanswers.com/2011/02/dark-tooth/#comment-35126" target="_blank">Oral Answers</a> who is an active blogger dentist.<br />
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I phoned our dentist and today we went on a visit to her. S has no fear of dentists (unlike me who is terrified of them but getting braver with my girls watching me!) and she hopped into the chair whilst N tried to join her :) Our lovely lady dentist took a look at her teeth and confirmed that the problem was indeed due to the trauma to her mouth and it was very common in young children. She said it all looked clean and no problems, a very minor bit of movement but she felt her adult teeth should be just fine. She did tell me that her teeth were unlikely to get whiter again (which some people have said happened to their children) as they were, in effect, dying. However, they were also unlikely to get much darker either. She told me to just watch out for any bumps on the gums as this can be a sign of an absess. So, so far, so good.<br />
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Children are sent to keep us on our toes and our nerves in tatters aren't they! ;-)<br />
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I thought I'd add a quick update to this. Now, almost a week later, S's teeth are going even more grey/red. I'm starting to notice it and it breaks my heart to think she will have her teeth like this for the next 3 or so years but what other options are open (certainly not going to have 'fillings' to make them white again or veneers).<br />
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UPDATE: 1st August 2012 - S's teeth are beginning to pink/white up again! I can't believe it but it looks like the damage isn't permanent despite what the dentist suspected. We are making a very careful effort with teeth brushing in the evenings to ensure that her gums get a good little massage around those front top teeth so whether that is actually doing anything or not, I'm unsure but I'm pleased with the result so far :)<br />
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Here's a photo taken on 3rd August. Almost back to normal :) Glad our dentist was wrong!<br />
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UPDATE #2: May 2015 - For anyone who would like to know how she's getting on now, in 2015, she's losing her teeth slowly and as you can see from this picture, those top teeth look almost exactly the same as the others. She's very proud here that she's lost her second bottom tooth. Top ones are next! I'll update you when the new ones come through there.<br />
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UPDATE #3: November 2015 - I had a lot of requests for pictures of S's new top teeth when they come through. One is almost through completely now and the other is just starting. Here's a photo taken today (22nd). Hopefully you can see that the tooth is the same colour as all of her others. Hooray! Will let you know when other one is through and post again then.<br />
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UPDATE #4: March 2016 - Here we are with both front teeth now firmly through (sadly she's still suffering cold sores as you can see but that's another post). I hope this gives people hope for their little ones. Thank you for all the wonderful comments.<br />
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Here's the very final picture taken today - January 2018. One happy girl with lovely, naturally coloured teeth.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-67288233286614319322012-07-03T10:48:00.001+01:002012-07-03T10:48:23.495+01:00RHS Wisley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have just taken out membership for <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley" target="_blank">RHS </a>and yesterday, despite the weather, decided we needed some fresh air so where better to go.<div>
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We packed our waterproofs and headed off. Parking up, we decided that we were going to retrieve a couple of geocaches at Wisley Airfield first. We had missed two on our last trip around. Well, I couldn't find one and we forgot about the other but it's close enough ;-)</div>
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S went on her scooter and did really well bar one little accident where a crack in the road stopped her dead. Fortunately she was ok but a little shaken (she has a lovely hat that she wears just in case). </div>
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The first cache was along some trees beside a field. Everything certainly has sprouted since we were last there. It was an easy find for S and she was very proud of herself for spotting it before daddy did (well, he never said he saw it). The second was one I couldn't find before in a tree. Would you believe that this time within minutes I spotted it. Ironic really as last time there were barely any leaves and this time the tree was covered. Cachers eyes were working today clearly.</div>
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Back we went to RHS and started our wander around. The girls seemed to enjoy looking at all the flowers and we went to see the fountain. As we went under the little tunnel, a duck with her ducklings came along. How cute! Unfortunately for us, we seem to have children who are petrified of pretty much all wildlife. As the little fluffy ducklings approached, S had to be picked up by daddy and N, sitting in her pushchair, began to cry. Who'd have believed it. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The fountain was very pretty and the backdrop of the house was great. I would like to live in a place like that (less people in my garden though).</span></div>
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We then went around to the Pagoda and S fed the fish with her puffs. They seemed to enjoy Organics Spicy Tomato noughts and crosses :)</div>
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Over to the glasshouse for a final bit of a walk in the drizzle. I have to say the orchids are my favourite and RHS have nearly got theirs to look as nice as the ones on my kitchen windowsill ;-) S loved the waterfall and N was busy shouting at the plants as we went past, quite happy though.</div>
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After that we headed to the cafe for a sit down and suddenly, halfway though our drinks, noticed we were in the area for feeding mums. Oops. We just thought it was a nice secluded little seating bit and now we know why. At least there was noone who needed it so we stayed put. I was a little surprised by the high prices in the cafe and the lack of cakes that were not covered in nuts of one description or another, but at least we had a nice sit down.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Back we headed to the car with both girls running around on the grass happily wearing themselves out. </span><span style="background-color: white;">They were both asleep in a few minutes as we set off.</span></div>
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I think we will get a lot of use of our annual membership as we only saw a small part of the gardens and are looking forward to exploring more - hopefully in the sunshine next time.</div>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-41349683415189763742012-06-24T08:02:00.001+01:002012-06-24T08:02:30.802+01:00Early miscarriage is just a late period<div style="text-align: right;">
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At least, that is what I thought until I had my first one.<br />
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What was the fuss about? So, you're pregnant and you've missed your period, you've done your test and the line has appeared. Then, out of the blue, a few weeks later, your period starts. It's clearly a miscarriage but so what? There isn't anything much there is there? It's only a heavier bleed after all. It's not like it's a proper baby or anything.<br />
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Yeah - right.<br />
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I had my first miscarriage in 2007. We came back from holiday and my period didn't start. I honestly did not think I could be pregnant so did a test and the positive result came up. Immediately the emotions hit me - both the joy and the fear. The excitement took over as hubby was just so made up to think he was going to be a dad. We talked. We would wait until after the 12 week check and then tell our family. We waited...well, about 30 minutes....then called folk up. The excitement went around our families and close friends quickly. I found a Haynes Manual online about babies and bought it ready to give to hubby at our 12 week scan. I called the doctors and went down to officially confirm my pregnancy and had a booking in appointment with the midwife. How exciting! Everything seemed to be going well. The sickness started. This was a good sign right? And then....<br />
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....I woke up in the early hours of a Saturday morning at the end of September bleeding. Hubby was on a night shift so I called him in tears. He held it together for me and said if it was still happening in the morning, we'd go to A&E. I hardly slept. I kept checking. Maybe the bleeding had stopped a little? I went online and Googled. If the blood was a brown-ish colour it could just be 'spotting' and hopefully everything was going to be ok. Who was I trying to kid. There was nothing brown about this. It was bright red and getting worse. Morning arrived and hubby came home. I had phoned the midwives and they said this can happen and everything may still be ok. Try and rest. I tried (and failed). By lunchtime we went down to our local A&E. Same things were told to me then but there was nothing that could be done until Monday at the EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit). They said go home and rest and call the EPU first thing and they would see me. <br />
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Monday arrived. Our 1st wedding anniversay. We went down to the EPU. I had an internal scan. The sonographer wasn't exactly kindly. No baby, she announced. Nothing there. You've clearly already lost it. Thanks for your care and gentle words - not. We cried - both of us. We were very upset. Maybe I was too old to have any more children? We went home. Not an anniversary to celebrate. Hubby was due to start Jury Service that day but had phoned the court to explain. No problem they had said, come in on Wednesday.<br />
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That day arrived and off he went. I was still curled up in bed when a friend called to see how I was. We spoke and as I sat up, it came out of me. It wasn't just a little bit of blood, it was large and I felt it leave. Clots and what seemed a huge lump. I cried like I hadn't cried before. I hung up on my friend and phoned the court. Hubby arrived home within 30 minutes. I didn't know what to do with 'it' whilst I was waiting. It was there, in our bed. I phoned the hospital. They said flush it away or put it in a clean jar and bring it down so they would confirm the miscarriage if that's what I wanted. I wanted neither of those. Eventually, just before hubby came home, I put it down the toilet. We were sad for a long time afterwards. I know that it is likely something wasn't right and that's why it went but it still hurt. I put the manual I had bought away hoping there would be a time I could give it to hubby.<br />
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Our daughter, S, was born in 2008. I had 'spotting' with her and you can imagine the fear that washed over me and hubby. We had an early scan with her and there she was. Utter joy!<br />
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In 2009 I was pregnant again. Sickness was well and truly happening and our 12 week scan was booked for the clinic in London. Off we went on the train, leaving S with my niece. We waited excitedly for the scan and both had butterflies when we went into the room. The sonographer put the gel on and we watched. There was the sac but there was the tiniest little 'blob' inside. She was quiet for a moment and did a few measurements. It was clear, I had a missed miscarriage. The news still made us cry. A doctor came in to confirm it. It looked like the baby had stopped growing around 5-6 weeks. It was a long train journey home. Worst of all, I still felt sick. My body thought I was carrying a good pregnancy. I phoned the hospital I had had S in (not the local one - wouldn't go back there) and went down for a scan straight away. They confirmed the missed miscarriage and booked me in for the Monday for an ERPC in day surgery. I felt sick still the whole weekend and up until I went under. It had stopped when I came round. I was out that evening. Somehow, although still so sad, this miscarriage didn't have the same affect on me. I think it was just a bit more clinical in my head.<br />
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In 2010 N was born. Again I had spotting and an early scan. That reassurance meant so much.<br />
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So, to anyone who has never experienced a miscarriage, please be assured, it is not just like a late period. It is far more than that and more devastating than you could imagine.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Image <a href="http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=186425" target="_blank">source</a>) </i></span>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-12420732739855585292011-09-06T12:50:00.000+01:002011-09-06T13:46:57.763+01:00Fit Fruit & Vegetable Wash Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJe0KXte77DxngvnLsG3hUq1ekSJ3hT82Zn2Erkm-7RpQr0aue8qo-8ZIM-aIuNmBKGyvPrAnCc_oxDb7DBi-tAENWmdPM8_UETqNNaBYk_TJ8jON5VPD6NKPo6c7gfeU3y4pfEFoLalp/s1600/fit.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJe0KXte77DxngvnLsG3hUq1ekSJ3hT82Zn2Erkm-7RpQr0aue8qo-8ZIM-aIuNmBKGyvPrAnCc_oxDb7DBi-tAENWmdPM8_UETqNNaBYk_TJ8jON5VPD6NKPo6c7gfeU3y4pfEFoLalp/s200/fit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649223070926664578" border="0" /></a>I was recently sent a 350ml bottle of <a href="http://www.buyfit.co.uk/">Fit </a>to review.<br /><br />Fit is an antibacterial fruit and vegetable wash made of all natural ingredients.<br /><br />The concept behind Fit is to clean away all pesticides and bacteria. Articles in the news recently such as the E.coli outbreak in France have made many people think harder about where their fruit and veg has come from and who has been handling it. We have all seen the TV programmes where experts demonstrate how many nasties are living on our foods haven't we!<br /><br />Fit is used by spraying directly onto the produce which "removes 98% more chemicals and wax than water alone", wipe and then rinse under water.<br /><br />As a person who always washes fruit and vegetables anyway, I wondered how Fit could benefit me.<br /><br />Before receiving the product, I considered that it might be useful to families such as ours that go out and about a lot and sometimes stop to buy fruit for the children to eat. Unfortunately, the need to still wash under water even when using Fit negates that idea, which I think is a shame.<br /><br />Having used it on a variety of vegetables and fruit, my initial thought was that it was an extra step that I did not really need to do. My apples seemed to have far less shine (a sign that Fit has removed the wax no doubt) and I did have trouble cleaning it off strawberries and raspberries enough that the bitter taste completely disappeared. Even rinsing under the tap for a good 10-15 seconds didn't quite do the trick. My expert taster (2 year old toddler) complained that her breakfast "tastes funny mummy" and wouldn't eat it. I had to agree with her that there was a bitterness to the strawberries. I rinsed them again, giving them as good a rub as you can with a soft fruit, and after another 10 seconds or so, they tasted fine but she would not eat them. <br /><br />It should also be noted that Fit removes preservatives that are sprayed on fruit and vegetables so you should only use it just before eating. Do not spray on everything you buy and expect it to last as long. In effect, Fit reduces the item back to it's natural state in this respect.<br /><br />Looking at the website, a spray bottle of Fit retails for £4.99 for 350ml. I would consider that quite a luxury in today's economy when you can simply give all your produce a jolly good scrub under the tap.<br /><br />I cannot see this product being for me but I could see it being of benefit to those who have a sensitive digestive system.<br /><br />As I said earlier, if there was a version of Fit that didn't need to be rinsed off, I could see it being of far more benefit and use.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks to </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.healthypr.co.uk/">Healthy PR</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for contacting me and sending the product. This review is, as you would expect, entirely my own opinion.</span>Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1752988257073968033.post-36769091672580035732011-08-26T12:42:00.000+01:002011-08-26T13:32:28.977+01:00Out 'n' About Nipper 360 Double Pushchair Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-9N6RE7Y6ZIUKEDsu9ZGk7eMk0t4JhZgmXKPIdrV9YyzbxwYLMqLMJdKAsQ8rPjda43ciN1YTh2HUQf0avRQd4U5GjTgxVR6xz-JW_wz0EYwFqPAwU8kcmippiTftoOtYHLPc6WZCnSJ/s1600/SV206126.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-9N6RE7Y6ZIUKEDsu9ZGk7eMk0t4JhZgmXKPIdrV9YyzbxwYLMqLMJdKAsQ8rPjda43ciN1YTh2HUQf0avRQd4U5GjTgxVR6xz-JW_wz0EYwFqPAwU8kcmippiTftoOtYHLPc6WZCnSJ/s200/SV206126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645141146108294722" border="0" /></a>When I was pregnant with our baby, we decided to buy a double buggy to take the toddler and her new sister out for walks. Little did we know then that we would rarely be using it as our toddler can walk for miles and miles! Hey, the thought was there though :)
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<br />Anyway, we have used it a bit now and I thought a personal review might be of interest to anyone who is looking at one of these double buggies.
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<br />We had a look at a number of doubles, from side by sides through to the ones where it looks like one of your children has just been shoved into the shopping basket. None we liked. We wanted a very easily manoeuvred 3-wheeler that we could use off-road too. Having scanned the Internet, we decided on the <a href="http://www.outnabout.com/nipper/">Out 'n' About</a> 360. We had tried out numerous doubles before in shops but nothing seemed quite right. This one looked perfect we thought so we ordered it from Boots. Huge mistake :(
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<br />The day of delivery arrived and we excitedly put the pushchair together. It looked nice and the toddler liked it and jumped straight in with teddy for a ride :)
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<br />The 360 is very easy to use one handed and 'turns on a sixpence' (if you happen to have such an old coin still). The wheels are sturdy and the braking system is excellent, if not exceedingly simple. The hood is a lovely size and provides excellent coverage for your children and the rain cover (part of the kit) is a great size and easy to put on and off. It fits though most doorways unlike a standard side-by-side double. There is a great strap to put around your wrist to stop it running away from you downhill too (not that I've lost a pushchair yet like that!). It opens and collapses OK but I'd be pushed to tell you it was not a fiddle at times. And that's where the good stuff ends I'm afraid.
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<br />We have encountered a number of things that make this pushchair severly lacking:
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<br /><ol><li>The weight is mostly at the back. Therefore, if you hang (as most mums do) a changing bag onto the handle (provided you have one with a very long strap!), it pretty much tips the whole pushchair over backwards! Disaster! We had bought some 'hangers' to put shopping on the handle but instantly converted those into weight hooks by putting on some of hubbys free weights and clipping to the front under the seats (see picture). That is the only way it won't tip up. A serious (and dangerous) design flaw.</li><li>The shopping bag area is just at the back of each seat. With no storage at all, you need to ideally have one bag filled (yes, it does completely fill it) with the rain cover as you can never trust the British weather! Therefore you only have one small net to put anything in. Remember you can't hang anything on the handles either due to tipping.</li><li>I looked into obtaining a further (string) shopping bag that is slung beneath the 360. Would you believe that the manufacturers charge £18.95 for this fancy bit of string and, to add insult to injury, charge £8 P&P!? I decided to telephone their main supplier around here, Daniel in Windsor, and was shocked that even they pass on the delivery cost to the customer even though you need to go in to the shop to collect the bag. There seems to be something fundamentally wrong with the fact that the supplier says they have to place a £400 order to get it for free delivery and they never need enough to do this. Yes, I was told this on the telephone by the lady I spoke to without having to ask about it at all. A bit too much freedom of information from Daniel's sales assistant. So, no string bag then.</li><li>The footplate is fine - for babies! The toddler struggles to keep her feet on it as we go along due to the angle. She can put her feet on if she sits with her legs curled to one side. Not comfy.</li><li>The handle covering has started to fall apart. It is a black 'sponge' type covering and within 6 months of hardly any use (around 12-15 times it's been out I would guess), great lumps have fallen off of it. When I think about the 360 compared to the Mothercare Urban Detour travel system we bought for toddler, and is now used for baby, there has hardly been any damage to the 'sponge' on that after almost 3 years of use. Poor quality then on the part of the 360.</li><li>The seats are adjusted by a sliding strap. You unclip it completely to lay them flat. Well, by flat that means that baby has her feet kind of in the air as they don't really go properly flat. You can adjust them up to a sitting position but, again, this fails too. At maximum tightness, the seat is still rather inclined backwards so for toddler to get the same effect as her other pushchair, you need to wedge a cushion behind her or between the strap and the chair. With the kind of mechanism employed by the 360, it really should be better as it's hardly rocket science!</li><li>Folding isn't easy. There are strong clips on the side with an added 'pin clip' for safety which is excellent but you have to kind of push the seats all the way forward so they are kind of hanging out before you can fold it. There is a 'catch' to keep it shut but it simply does not work. It is a red, plastic piece and is not strong enough. Having said that, I often cannot close the pushchair enough for the catch to get anywhere near the piece of metal it is supposed to hook onto so, again, fairly pointless. When it does hook on, the minute you pick the pushchair up, it releases and you end up with the pushchair opening up on you which I can confirm causes bruised shins!</li></ol>I wish that we had been able to view the pushchair prior to buying it. All the reviews on Boots website (which is where we bought it from) said it was brilliant and we believed them. More fool us! I guess if you're going to use it for just a walk, it's fine. If you want it for shopping or really taking your children out, it's not a particularly 'mum friendly' pushchair. For £315 you'd expect a bit more value for your money I think. Sadly, as we bought it some month or so before our baby was born, we didn't get to find out all the problems until it was out of its return period or it would have been back like a shot!
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<br />I have, as you can imagine, complained to Boots about all of these things very soon after giving the pushchair its first outing. They were less than interested and offered nothing in terms of answers or options.
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<br />Take my advice, if you need a double, make sure you go check EVERY one you like the look of. If the shop won't get it in stock for you (as Boots wouldn't) to check, don't buy it!
<br />Godders50http://www.blogger.com/profile/04014349988095115245noreply@blogger.com1