New Forest Day 2 - Peppa Pig World

Day 2 of our camping holiday started off with a minor malfunction of our little old tent. Two of the carbon rods that loop through the tent snapped leaving the tent a little bent and out of shape. Fortunately we had two spare poles in the awning so it was a simple 10 min repair job and luckily we didn't need to empty the tent or take the whole thing down to do the repair.

 

One snapped pole!

One half collapsed tent. Doh!

Anyway after the repair we was off to Paulton's Park predominantly for the boys to visit Peppa Pig land. They are both huge PP fans and were both extremely excited about the day ahead. I have to confess that PP is one of those kids programs that I just haven't really bothered learning the characters despite the fact that I read them the story books at night. I only realised Peppa was a girl this week (bad Dad!).

The floating globe at the entrance to Paultons Park.

After a small wait we were finally let into Peppa Pig World. Fortunately all the local kids went back to school a day earlier and as such the park was pretty quiet with minimal queues for all of the rides. 

My boys in PP World.

 

First ride of the day was the PP Cars but first you need to get some fuel.

And then we were off. Would you feel same with these two urchins driving you around a track.

Joshua on the PP boats, such a big boy being able to go on rides all on his own.

Brandon still not quite big enough to go solo on most of the rides. But still having lots of fun with Mummy.

The boys posing with a nice statue of Peppa Pig.

The Peppa Pig camper van. This is high up on Joshua's birthday list toy wants!

Peppa Pig World is great for the boys and they both thoroughly enjoyed themselves. However we only spent a few hours in PP World and then moved out into the rest of Paulton's Park. This was where the real fun began and the boys got to go on some serious rides. There was very little in the park that even Brandon could not go on with an adult (bar one or two rides). This was probably the first theme park we have been to where all of us have been able to share the experience of rides together. On a lot of the bigger rides Brandon would initially say something like "I don't like" or "I'm scared". Then he would chuckle all the way through the ride and at the bottom all you could hear is "again, again, again!".

Brandon, Joshua and Tina on a viking ship.

Some cleverly trimmed dinosaur hedges.

Probably the family favourite for the day was the log flume ride which gave you a right good soaking. Fortunately it was a scorcher of a day and the soaking was actually pretty refreshing. Brandon's little face as he came down the water shoots was an absolute picture. 

First you get the smaller of the water shoots. 

As you can see this one still gives off a good splash.

Then it is back up for the big decent and splash.



Check out Brandon's little face in the souvenir picture. Our first as a family of four.

The characters of Peppa Pig which the boys got to meet in Peppa Pigs house.

Me and Joshua in Peppa Pigs house.

And little Brandon. He was not as keen for his picture being taken unless I let him take a picture of me with my camera first!

The toothless cheeky grin which we have all come to adore.

Joshua driving a tractor ride.

Brandon's second favourite ride was yet another water slide only this time you descended down a bumpy slide in a two seater red inflatable. You manage to get some pretty awesome speed down here and ever get air borne over the humps in the slide. 

The fearless one ready for another ride. I think he went down this about 8 times over the course of the day.

As you can see its quite a long way down (and equally a long way to keep going back up after each ride - especially in the heat!).

The humps which get you air borne.

Me and Brandon set off on one of our many runs down the slide.

Joshua on the dinosaur ride in PP World.

Brandon riding the dinosaur with me,

The Peppa Pig train (I think this is Grandpa Pig).

Me and the boys were riding in the rear carriage on Grandpa Piggies train.

One of the few rides which Brandon could not go on was the volcano drop thingy. So me and Joshua went up on this bad boy.

You can just about see me and Joshua on the left in this picture. Our stomachs are about 50ft higher!

Just in case you doubted how high up we dropped from.

This is just a very small selection of the pictures we took in Paulton's. It was a great day out and we stayed right until the bitter end. We then grabbed a quick bite to eat before the restaurants closed and then headed back to our tent to get some rest before the next day. For me Day 3 was the best day of the holiday - read more tomorrow to find out why.

New Forest Day 1 - Roundhill Camp Site

We have just returned from the boys second proper camping trip. This time we took a two and a half hour drive down the the New Forest with the car absolutely crammed full. We made one stop en route for a lunch break and to stretch our legs, then by about 1 o'clock we arrived at Roundhill Camp site and began pitching our tent. For an early September vacation the weather could not have been more perfect as we enjoyed 24 degree plus weather for the entire week without a drop of rain.

 

The camp site itself is in a beautiful part of the New Forest and is completely natural and unspoilt. No electrics or fancy club houses. This was the most basic of basic camp sites where you could pretty much pitch anywhere in the forest and the only amenities were a toilet/shower block and a drinking water supply. Perfect for a quality outdoor adventure with the boys.

 

 



Our tent all pitched up. Could this be the last time the old tent gets used as we had a few poles break over the course of the week.

The front awning went up at first, but we had to take this down to repair the main tent poles. Fortunately the weather was so good that the awning wasn't really necessary anyway.

When you see all the camping equipment setup, its makes you realise what a small miracle it is that all that fits into the back of a C-Max Grand.

We took the boys bikes with us this time and what a great decision that was. Every single day, morning and night, they would be out and about riding on their bikes. It was really nice to see them playing and cycling in a completely safe and open environment. As usual the boys loved being let of the leash a little (so to speak) and having a bit more freedom and independence to explore and go off on their own.



The boys on their bikes.

One of the most amazing aspects of the New Forest which you cannot help but notice is the wild donkeys and cows that roam around. Its absolutely unbelievable to just be walking around and sharing the woods with these beautiful animals. Even more amazing is when you come back to camp after being out all day and find them shacked up around your tent making themselves at home!

Brandon was a bit cautious around the animals but by the end of the week he had no problems cycling around them and even interacting with them.

This pond at the entrance to Roundhill seems to be used as a watering hole for the donkeys and cows that reside in the area.

 

After the long journey and the effort involved in setting up the camp we decided to head into Brokenhurst on our first night to grab a bite to eat. As with just about everywhere these days we managed to find a Tesco's to stock up our camp supplies. Then we found a nice local little public house called the Snakecatcher to get some dinner.

Joshua posing with a wagon wheel in Brokenhurst.

Once back on the campsite I played some ball games with the boys and then we explored the woods a little and found some sticks to play with. Den building would come later in the week.

Joshua practising his balance on a tree trunk.

And even Brandon had a good go.

It was a long day and as such the boys were absolutely shattered. So after a shower and a teeth clean it was the usual routine of story and bed time. The boys were both very excited about their first night in the tent but soon were fast asleep ready for the long day ahead at Peppe Pig World.

Sound asleep at the end of day 1.

 

Apparently there was a problem with the main sewer from Roundhill down to Brokenhurst and as a result of this the camp site effectivly closed down and were not allowing any other campers on site. This really worked in our advantage as we pretty much had our area of the woods entirely to ourselves with barely another tent or caravan in site. The added advantage of this is that the boys could have more free reign and also make pretty much as much noise as they liked without disturbing other campers.

 

Anyway check in for Day 2 when we set off for Peppa Pig World.

Frankie's Car Fest Family Day

Another petrol head day as went to Frankie's Family Day Car Fest over at Ford's Dunton. An amazing range of cars were on display from MG's to Triumphs to Mustangs, RS500's, AC Cobra's and even drag cars. There was pretty much something there to suit everyone's taste and what was really great was to see these cars burning up laps around the Dunton test track.

 

There was a little teddy bear picnic area set-up for the kids to play in, and about half a dozen bouncy castles. We bought the boys a wristband each for all day access to the bouncy castles and Joshua certainly got his money's worth. From the top of the rocket ship bouncy castle he even had a birds eye view of the cars out on the test track.

 

Joshua showing his teddy around an old classic car.

The boys were mythed as to how why the engine sticks out of the bonnet on this car - until they realised the bonnet had a hole in it.

I was dribbling over this old 78 Firebird and explaining to the boys how I used to own a red one. Oh what I would do to have that car back.

Brandon and his giraffe find a yellow car.

But me and Joshua top his yellow car with a bright yellow Lamborghini. Not the best car in the show though as I would have taken the XJ220 myself.

Its a bugs life

Yesterday was Joshua's final ever day at nursery. A bit of an emotional day for the big man as he took in a card and some choccies for his key worker. At the end of the day it was hugs for all the staff and friends as he said farewell. 2 weeks off now and then he starts at primary school.

 

Today we took the boys over to Auntie Lisa's "build a bug" art activity session over at Wat Tyler park. With a bit of assistance both boys made a bug to go on the bug tree and also a bug which they brought home and have proudly put on display in their bedrooms.

 

Me providing a helping hand building some art and craft bugs.

Brandon gluing the spots on his lady bird.

Both boys hard at work letting their imagination run wild as they design, cut and stick.

 

Joshua sets about drawing a picture of a bug next.

Brandon helping me with our second creation, the learning number caterpillar.







Joshua's finished master piece that ended up on the bug tree.









 

Brandon proudly showing his lady bird he made. He was very proud of this and there was no way he was leaving without bringing it home with him.

Our finished caterpillar.

 

Lisa's bug tree, can you see Joshua and Brandon's creations?

Thanks to Lisa and her assistants for allowing the boys to come along and join in the craft session. I think there were a few comments regarding who was having the most fun out of the boys or me. Probably the best thing is that we got to do loads of cutting, sticking and generally making a mess and for once I didn't have to clear it all up. Art and craft sessions outside of your house are a good idea!