A week at Pontins...

We've just had a week away at Pontins, Camber Sands. It was Sun holiday and to be honest it wasn't our first choice (or even our third) but as it was our first time in doing this we didn't get a huge amount of choice.

I looked up some reviews and I must admit a lot of them weren't that encouraging and I started to get a teeny bit anxious about the place. But, overall, our week was good.

I won't say that it was relaxing:-
damp grey weather - although not Pontins fault;
screechy seagulls (they are REALLY loud and REALLY big - didn't realise quite how big they are) - again not Pontins fault;
paper thin walls in the chalets;
uncomfortable bed (I love my own bed but a bit too big to pack);
bluecoats have the loudest voices I have EVER heard (great for kids, not so much for adults)....

But,

All the people who worked there were lovely and cheery;
the bluecoats kept the kids amused and happy;
brilliant swimming pool and slide;
chalets were basic but clean;
the food was tasty and they didn't skimp on the helpings;
there was loads to do (mainly for kids but that's what we went for);
places to visit weren't too far away.

There were things that the grownups could see but the entertainment was late evening and by that time the kids (and us) were feeling a bit tired.

Yes the buildings look a bit tired but they are old and from what I read there is a huge refurbishment going on and that won't be finished anytime soon.

If anyone is thinking of going that hasn't been before can I just add that we didn't have a shower in our chalet, just a bath, so pack a jug or tap adapter if you want to wash hair. Also we took along some big cups/mugs after someone mentioned that they only had little cups (they do) in the chalets. I'm also glad we took along some extra blankets as the nights got cold.

Can I also recommend going half board. It seemed an expense at the time of paying but it made our life a lot easier not worrying about where we were going to eat and, as I said before, the food was tasty.

Would we go again? Yes we would.

Funny moment that I just had to mention....the double bed sleeper was a folding one that was also used as the seating so the legs ratcheted down when you wanted it as a bed. On the first night Bucket jnr fell out of his bed, it was about 1-2am so I wasn't too awake and as I walked back to our bed I noticed that it was slowly tipping up. Being half asleep my brain didn't quite recognise this fact so Ijust stood there as Mr Bucket's side slowly went downwards towards the floor. It was only when he stuck his arm out to stop himself that I realised I need to put my weight on to counter-balance it. I couldn't stop giggling for quite a while after that. Sam xx

We're back....

Finally arrived back after a wonderfully relaxing interesting holiday.

We went glamping down the South of France using Key camps and I must say, it was a good site if you've got kids. The facilities were great; close to the town and beach and the people were helpful and thankfully spoke really good English. My holiday French isn't too bad but when I get flustered I resort to charades.

 the view of the Pyrenees from the decking by our cabin

There were only a few niggles - we went down on a Saturday and got caught in a load of traffic; during the traffic our car started to overheat so we had to have the windows open with the fan on hot; as the windows were open I got sunburned (I'm a bit freckly) really badly on one arm so had to wear a really attractive sun top (with long sleeves) whenever I went swimming for the first week; because the car got wrecked we had to take it to a garage to get fixed - very large bill.

That's the bad news over and done with.

I asked Mr Bucket "who's idea was it to come this far down France?.... Oh yeah, it was mine".


After two weeks camping, we travelled back up France and stayed at Versailles.

We saw the Palace...

 I laughed at first at the tourists with little umbrellas but I'm telling you, if you visit this place then take one. There are white cobbles all over the place and on a sunny and hot day you boil. I took my factor 50 all the time and this is the only place where my nose got burned.


We visited Paris...

 

The architecture in this city is absolutely amazing and I would definitely love to go back. We grabbed a train from Versailles and then got on 'Les Cars Rouges', big red buses that you can hop on and off or just travel around if that's what you want to do. I've just got to say that I LOVE the Louvre, it is the most impressive place I have ever visited.

 We joined the masses at Disneyland...

 

 A great place but make sure that you have sturdy shoes; take your travel sickness pills for the rides and don't mind waiting approx 30-70 mins to get on a ride. It isn't that bad but when the kids got hot and tired it made it feel longer. A plus was that the food was reasonably priced and covered all ranges.

Oh yes, and take lots and lots of money because if you have kids then they have all the gifts your darling children will ever want.

A funny moment was when Bucket jnr wanted to stay on a good rollercoaster ride and started crying. As we were walking out the exit people were staring at him and you could read their faces and knew they were asking themselves "was it that bad???". I couldn't stop myself from saying "he did like it, really".

It was an enjoyable holiday but if we ever go back I'm NEVER taking the car again - it's a hire car for us next time, it would be cheaper. Sam xx

Jubilee Celebrations...

We had a brilliant day yesterday. The Grandparents' road had a street party - a week later than most but I'm so glad it was yesterday as the day was absolutely gorgeous....sunny and warm with poofy clouds in a blue sky.

 

There was a bouncy castle which Bucket jnr hardly ever left; loads of food; miles of bunting and lots of competitions for everyone to have a go at.

I grabbed a load of food (it was lunchtime) and then Grandma said "don't forget that we've got food too". My aching stomach, but it was my own fault - I had that stuffed feeling that you generally only get at Christmas.

Bucket jnr and Miss Bucket entered the scooter races. Bucket jnr raced off and won his - he has a great gold medal that he likes to show off. Miss Bucket came second (she was robbed by a younger scooter who didn't go round the cone properly - a protective mum, who me???) and she loves her silver medal as she thinks the gold and bronze look too much alike and hers looks better.

 

Bucket jnr's medal

There were plank races as well, I didn't do this but had a great laugh at those that did enter.

 There was also egg throwing. Miss Bucket and I did this at a previous street party and we didn't do too badly but I thought that I'd watch this time instead, mainly because I didn't take a change of clothing with me.

Oh and I can't forget about the welly wanging. For those that haven't a clue what this is.....you throw a welly as far as you can and the one who throws furthest wins. The kids heat was fun and really sweet, both my two went in for this. Bucket jnr wound his arm up so many times that people started to count - he did eventually let go.

But it was the adult one that is always the funniest as people try to throw as hard as they can and it gets into a really big competition, especially between the men and those wellies are very unpredictable. I had to run out the way once or twice, a gutter was hit, a table full of glasses went flying and a few people were bopped when they got in the way.

More food was eaten, there was a kids and adult quiz (didn't do too badly at either) and then the bbq's came out.

I had to leave about 9.30pm as Bucket jnr said his feet hurt and he looked really tired all of a sudden so we left everyone to their dancing and went home.

On a side note, I've got to say that Bucket jnr is the most sociable person I know. He was in and out of gardens and houses and this is a street that we only visit, hardly see anyone most of the time and don't really know anyone's name. But he was everywhere and after talking to some nice ladies on the street, we came home with a rocking chair and footstool. I wasn't really looking for one but that is what I came home with, it's a good job I have a big car (old people carrier type that sounds like a tank). I don't think many people can say they went to a party and came home with furniture.

Now I've just got to find somewhere to put it....did I ever mention that the rooms in my house are small and my family has a tendency to collect things (lots and lots of things), I'm forever clearing clutter and stuff out. Sam xx

Happy Easter...

 Source: Google Images

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter.

We had a fairly quiet day (except for the occasional shouting by moi for everyone to keep quiet - I now have a croaky voice).

Starter

I won't say what time I had my starter.


Main Course

 A nice big haunch of venison just as it's going in the oven. We've had this sitting in the freezer for ages so thought about time to try it out.

We added the end of our home-grown leeks from last year. Tasted absolutely delicious and will be growing more this year.


Dessert

Oops, started a bit early...

Also made this but had to wait as it took 3 and 1/2 hours to bake.

 
I don't usually bother with a pretty ribbon tied round it as it's only seconds before this happens...

And then the kids notice and before you know it, there's not too much left. Sam xx

Happy New Year..

Happy New Year to anyone who is reading this. I hope that 2012 will be a healthy, happy and wonderful year for you all.

I'm going to have to do this post in instalments today as I'm going to be busy cooking; watching tv; playing Mario Galaxy on Wii and imbibing copious amounts of sherry today.

Just in case you think I might have a sherry problem - I don't. It's one of those things that you only eat/drink at certain times of the year, even though you love it. Think pancakes on Shrove Tuesday; mince pies at Christmas; Cadburys cream eggs at Easter; Hot cross buns; the chocolate cake I only make at Christmas; Stews in winter time when the months are cold... Sherry is just like that, so I'm making the most of it as soon I won't drink it at all until, probably, I see the Coca Cola Santa advert on telly again.

12.40pm: I've the beef in the oven surrounded by home-grown onions. The smell is gorgeous and I've just peeled the roast potatoes and ready to put on the boil. I'm listening to Duran Duran on Radio 2 and I can hear Bucket jnr has just jumped on Mr Bucket whilst he's watching Worlds Strongest Man. Miss Bucket is currently watching re-runs of Doctor Who (it's David Tennant for all other DT fans out there - swoon).

Source: Google Images - the lovely David Tennant

1.50pm: Okay, dinner is a little late, still waiting for the beef to rest but it tastes lovely from the end bits that Mr Bucket and I have pinched. Potatoes look great and I've done loads of Aunt Bessies Yorkshires as Mr Bucket likes to have some with syrup for pudding. Hurry up beef!!!!!

5.00pm: Right then, dinner is definitely over - bellies stuffed, all bits eaten and condiments put away. I'm feeling really fat and lazy at the moment and Mr Bucket wants us to do Wii Fit

(lot of exercises) - NOT A CHANCE!!!

Pass the Roses tin and stuff me up baby...Only joking, I only had 3.

I've been considering the New Year Resolutions that is customary to do and I seem to have come up with the usual suspects.... lose weight, be happy and try to be more patient. I'm hitting the big 4-0 this year and even though I might have left it a little too late to lose loads of fatty stuff by the big date, I'm going to really dig deep this year and get it off for good. Hopefully I'll look semi-decent by the time the holidays come around. So fingers crossed and here's hoping.

Not too much more this evening except veg-ing out in front of the boggle-box and watching maybe Treasure Island with Eddie Izzard and then catching up with Sherlock Holmes or the other way round. I'll wait and see, both look good. I've just got to make sure that I don't start snoozing instead.

Once again, I wish you a joyous 2012.

Sam xx



Must watch...

Saw a brilliant tv programme last night - it had really scary bits that had me biting my nails; sitting on the edge of my seat and covering my eyes in some places. But I just couldn't look away.

No, it wasn't a Law and Order or CSI or some gripping BBC detective drama, it was Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads on Channel 5. They were driving in the Himalayas and I can tell you they were right on the edge of some scary roads. I've missed a couple of episodes but, I tell you, I won't miss anymore.

Source Google Images

I think the reason that it was scary for me is that it brought back memories of a family trip we went on in 2006. Me, Mr Bucket and Miss Bucket went on a 'once in a lifetime trip' to New Zealand - absolutely stunning place and thoroughly recommend it to everyone.

Part of our trip was in the North Island where we hired a campervan (motorhome) and travelled around. This would have been really good except for the fact that we couldn't have Miss Bucket's car seat in the back, she would have to be sitting in the front (she was three at the time). So I sat in the back. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, the North Island has a lot of steep hills and some of them had very BIG drops at the side of the road. When you are sitting in a vehicle like this and it goes round corners, the back end looks like it swings out and at times, to me, it seemed like Mr Bucket had underestimated things and I was hanging over the precipice.

Whenever I saw that a hill was due up I closed my eyes, clasped my hands and prayed that I wouldn't be sick. As I said, SCARY!!!  Except for this, I loved the place.

But anyway, try to catch the programme as it's really good. Next time they are on even SCARIER roads, I'd better have a cushion ready to hide behind. Sam xx