Lakeside Winter Wonderland Ice Skating

As the kids have finished school and Tina was not working yesterday I really wanted to go out and do something festive as it was the last weekend before Xmas. We was contemplating jumping on a train up to London to see all the lights, but the latest spikes in Omicron put paid to that idea, So instead I tried booking ice skating in Riverside at Chelmsford, but they had no availability this side of Xmas. So the next best I could find was the ice skating at the Lakeside Winter Wonderland which was a little more expensive and for half the time, but equally as fun as we had the other Winter Wonderland activities to enjoy.

Holly didn't do as much free skating as last time we went and relied on the penguin much more than normal, but this was in part due to how busy it was on the ice and the penguin was much safer for her. Brandon did very well and Joshua was absolutely pathetic lasting all of about 15 minutes before quitting as his feet were hurting.

After the ice skating Holly enjoyed a few of the rides and then we enjoyed some nice food and mulled wine (well the kids didn't have the wine!). The boys both had pulled pork chips and Holly had cheesy chips, Me and Tina had effectively a roast dinner but wrapped in a soft Yorkshire pudding wrap - just delicious.

Loved the LED light Xmas tree at the entrance to the Winter Wonderland.

Only Holly in this picture as the boys didn't want their picture taken.

A rare picture of all three of them on the ice and the boys almost look like they are smiling.

Holly used the penguin for most of the session.

Two big brave lads holding on to the barrier!

Me keeping an eye on Holly as we weave in and out of the traffic.

Whilst this one was zooming around and around.

Brandon got to grips with the ice again very quickly.

Charging towards me to try and knock the camera out of my hand!

Joshua only lasted about 15 mins, pathetic.

Joshua bailed on us, so a selfie wit me and B.

Trying to get Holly to free skate without the penguin.

At the end of the session we found a spare seal which Holly could sit on and we could push her around really fast!

All 4 of us on the ice, Tina didn't come on.

The boys didn't want to go o the rides which meant more for Holly.

Holly started on the reindeer roller coaster.

Up she goes with the big wheel in the background.

Holly is on that beast somehwere, luckily she was tall enough to ride on her own.

Brandon with his pulled pork, chips and cheese.

A quick toilet stop in Hollywood Bowl turned in to an arcade and bowling session.

Back outside and we managed to drag Joshua in to a picture.

Holly and Tina inside the Xmas tree.

The view from inside the tree.