Sunny Southend Supper

Well I can officially say that weather wise this has been the best UK summer that I can ever recall. I seem to recall reading that it was hotter in something like 1976, but given that I was only 4 at the time I can't remember back that far. This summer is just relentless with temps in the mid to high 20's and even touching 30 degrees +.

With the continued heat wave it has still been hot and humid of an evening. So last Friday when I got home from work we had dinner and then I suggested we take a drive to Southend for pudding and enjoy a nice sea walk with an ice-cream. We live so close to the coast and really should do this a lot more often especially when the weather is this good.

After ice-cream and donuts the kids all stripped off and had a little dip in the sea, then they washed off the salty water and sand in the water fountains. As the sun finally started to set leaving a stunning sunset over Southend the temperatures dropped slowly and decided to head home.

Just chilling on a hot muggy Friday evening with an ice-cream and donuts down Southend seas front.

Brandon didn't want an ice-cream so he polished off 3 donuts instead.

Holly half ate her ice-cream but then preferred licking sugar off of the donuts.

The two boys contemplating who is brave enough to jump in to the sea.

Princess Holly coming to see what her brothers are doing.

Of course Joshua was first to launch himself in to the sea.

That's how to cool off.

No sign of Brandon joining him!

Instead Brandon is having a floss!

Eventually Brandon plucks up the courage to jump in as well.

Both boys enjoying an evening swim in the sea.

Holly looking a bit puzzled. Not brave enough to jump in the water like the boys.

Having a nice afternoon beach walk (Joshua is still in the sea).

Holly playing in the sand.

And the slide...

And then eventually the water fountains to get all the sand and salt water washed off before getting back in my car!

The 3 kids having good fun in the Southend fountains.

Good job we brought towels and a change of clothes with us.

Another action shot of Holly.

Holly practicing her left leg strike with a water fountain.

Joshua looking after his little Sis.

Lets hope Holly sleeps well tonight after all that running around and the sea air.

Beautiful sunset over Southend.

Not really Southend related but the next couple of pictures were of me entertaining Holly by drawing on our front pavement with some chalks. Just as long as this stays outside of the house then I am OK with this.

The funny face is because Holly had the sun in her eyes.

Playing homemade hopscotch in the front garden.

Pontins Pakefield Day 4

Our final day in Pontins and we had to be checked out of the chalet and the car loaded up by 10am. As we could still use the facilities we decided to stay on site and make the most of the long weekend before heading home. Joshua, Brandon and Layla really wanted to stay for the inflatable commando crawl in the swimming pool from 12-1. So we went for a general swim first and then stayed in for the inflatable. After this we all headed to McDonalds for a spot of lunch to finish the short break where it started a few days earlier.

In between 10 o’clock checkout and the general swim we did take a walk to the Pakefield Coastguard Lighthouse which is now 191 years old and is still manned today. We had the chance to go up to the top of the lighthouse and talk to the coastal guards and also to have a look through the telescopes. Incredibly from the top of the tower you have an 8 mile view to the horizon whereas at beach level you can only see 3 miles.

Our weekend in Pontins has been really good fun and a bit tiring. It has been amazing to see all the kids bonding and playing together.

Joshua with a rather large smoothie.

We 5 King's in the main entertainment hall / bar.

Thanks to Auntie Chris and Uncle Steve for a great weekend away.

Talking to the coastal guards at the top of Pakefield Lighthouse.

Brandon getting to look across to the Yarmouth Marina through a telescope.

The 4 kids at the bottom of the 191 year old Pakefield Lighthouse / Coastal Guard.

Pontins Pakefield Day 3 - Pleasure Beach

You wouldn't believe it, after the hottest 2 months on record since the 70's and today we woke up to thunderstorms and rain. We should have really checked the weather forecast yesterday as I had gone online and pre-ordered the kids tickets for Pleasure Beach which was about 13 miles North of Pakefield. We decided to head there anyway and en-route stopped off in Matalan to purchase warmer clothes as we all packed just summer gear and no coats. By the time we had finished in Matalan the rain had gone and the sun was trying to break through. A democratic unanimous vote from the 4 kids resulted in his heading to Pleasure Beach.

The kids all got their moneys worth out of the wrist bands and had a lot of rides. Holly absolutely loved the 86 year old wooden roller coaster and went on it about 3 times. Apparently it is the oldest roller coaster in the country and is pretty amazing in its construction. We saved the log flume until very last as we knew once the kids were soaked through they would soon get cold and miserable. So two goes around on the Log Flume and then we jumped in the warm car to head back to Pakefield for dinner.

In the morning we work up to a duck and her ducklings that Joshua took a liking too and made friends by feeding them bread.

At one point one of the ducklings actually jumped on to Joshua's leg!

Late nights catching up with Layla who wasn't so keen to feed the ducks.

The Cobbins, Kings and a Mitchell at the S.S Victoria restaurant for breakfast.

Even the entrance is shaped like a ship.

Pleasure Beach here we come.

Holly on the tea cups.

This ride was pretty amazing and half way through a cover came over the top leaving the riders in complete darkness.

Holly on the carousel.

Holly absolutely loved this swing ride and didn't stop chuckling.

Apparently this ride is faster than the Southend version. The kids enjoyed it so much they stayed on for a couple of goes.

As you can see it was busy with Josh, Layla and B having the ride to themselves.

A spinning roller coaster for 4.

Is it a Walter, is it a coaster?????

Layla helping Holly as a responsible person in the vertical drop ride.

The Hungry Caterpillar roller coaster.

Who ate through the apple?

The kids all about to witness the oldest roller coaster in the country. Believe it or not they have to push start it and have a guy sitting in a chair with a handbrake to stop it!

Holly on a horse ride.

Me, Holly and Uncle Steve on the old roller coaster.

Unbelievable to think this is 86 years old and made of wood.

We even managed to talk Tina in to experiencing the old roller coaster.

What goes up......

All 4 kiddies on the mono rail.

Joshua found this old go-kart track at the back of pleasure beach. The go-karts went at a pretty decent speed.

Holly's face on Whirlwind is a picture.

Joshua had many, many goes on the bumper cars.

B, Layla and Josh doing battle with no one else on the ride.

Layla slams one in to the side of Brandon.

Holly on wobbly legs in the fun factory. Brandon tried flossing at the top!

Joshua taking his little sister on the bumper cars.

Holly seemed to have been even if she was getting smashed about a bit.

My cheeky little donut.

Saving the log flume until last to avoid walking around cold and wet.

Splash down.

Yup, getting pretty wet up there.

Josh, Layla and Bee on the log flume.

They seemed to all enjoy the ride.....

.....in fact they had a great day at Pleasure Beach and despite the weather it was a good call to go there today to break up the holiday and get off site for a bit.