National Trust 50 Things for 2014

The National Trust 50 Things to Do Before You're 11 & 3/4 list is the perfect place for parents who want to do more with their kids but are feeling uninspired. With so many options there's always something to suit your mood/age/weather/budget/location. We made the most of the free activities on offer at Tredegar House (a NT property in Newport) in the 2013 summer holidays. Well, the kids made the most of the activities and I made the most of the cafe and a peaceful hour or two.

Check out the website for the ability to register your child. You can keep track of all the activities you've done online and unlock games and other goodies as a reward, or download and print off a list to tick them off as you go. My 11 year old has completed virtually all of them, however my 6 year old has only ticked off about a quarter so there is plenty there to keep him busy. Plan a holiday or a day out around and activity or just do the ones close to home.

As well as providing the list, the National Trust have YouTube videos to help get you started. They're virtually all free and simple and will encourage children to explore their actual surroundings rather than merely their Minecraft ones.

Here are some of my pics:

22. Explore inside a tree 

4. Build a den 

28. Climb a huge hill - you can't even see the summit from here!

14. Dam a stream

1. Climb a tree

...maybe not

23. Visit a farm

15. Play in the snow

I've never had a problem letting my boys get stuck in, no matter how dirty they may get, but I have spoken with some parents over the years who have been reluctant to give their children the same freedom. If you're worried about their clothing or the washing I've found waterproof trousers to be invaluable. They're all over eBay and if you don't by the fleecy ones then they can be worn all year round.

Camping it Up in North Cornwall

We have certainly been making good use of the National Trust these holidays. Not only have the boys taken part in several of the free (yep you heard me - FREE!) 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4 activities at Tredegar House in Newport, we have just spent a happy few days exploring National Trust managed coastline in North Cornwall.

I'd like to say this was a successful camping trip but in reality it was not for two reasons: we weren't strictly camping; and we only stayed one night instead of two due to an unfortunate (but funny) air bed explosion leaving us one bed short, and a wriggly six year old who proved my husband's predictions that all of us sleeping in one room was a recipe for no sleep.

We stayed in a pod at Caradock at Tregardock It's a seriously beautiful place and the pods are incredibly comfortable. I was here a few years ago (sans the Mister that time) and was really looking forward to returning. The views overlooking the Atlantic are spectacular and it's an unbelievably peaceful location. Only three pods makes it lovely and quiet and the owners are friendly and helpful without being obtrusive. I happily recommend it. We walked from the pod down to Tregardock Beach on our first evening and just spent time admiring the coastline. The following day saw us at Widemouth Bay for some paddling and sandcastle building before heading into Bude for lunch, then over to Boscastle - another National Trust managed stretch of coastline.

I didn't take many photos as I was too busy chilling. Wish I'd taken one of the soft pink and blues in the sky at sunset though, and of the sight of the full moon over the water at about 5.30am (the only good thing about being awake early!)



The National Trust have a number of activities on around the country this Bank Holiday weekend. If you're at a loose end, or on your way to or from somewhere, why not see if there's something to suit you. There is a listing here. The organisation is about so much more than old houses!

Random Likings

As usual, I have been spending my free time wisely surfing online for stuff I love but will probably never buy since my house is already so full of stuff.

Resin Bangle from Buy My Crap
This Etsy shop has a fab range of these amazing resin bangles. 

Love Mae 
I found this shop when I was looking for wall stickers, I think, and spent ages browsing all the gorgeous items it sells, desperately trying to justify multiple purchases such as:

floral party cups

laptop and phone covers

wall stickers

National Trust Recycled Woolen Rugs
I am fairly sure I've featured these rugs before - possibly around Christmas time. They have been on my radar since I saw them in the NT shop at Tintagel two years ago but it's only now that I have got around to buying one for myself. £12... £12! Such a bargain for a throw of this quality and this size (120cm x 145cm). They are soft and warm and I suspect I won't stop at just one. They come in a range of random colours so you may find different ones online to those in shops at NT properties.

Hem Gems
I found this beauties via Fox in Flats and I really need to get my hands on some. Being barely over 5'1" means that unless I buy petite jeans, I will always need to roll or take my jeans up. Petite jeans are a bit hit and miss and that's assuming they're possible to find. Plus I love being able to buy £10 jeans from Primark and they don't do petite sizes. They come in 7 styles and cost US$18.99 for a packet of 8 (around £10 plus postage)

Today I'm Wearing
A fab time wasting site where you can have a good old stickybeak at other people's outfits. I am not creative at all when it comes to clothing, but I love seeing how real people combine things in stylish ways. Lots of items are referenced so you can click through and buy them if you're so inclined.

Zoku Character Kit
This seriously appeals to the kitch lover in me. Using the stencils and moulds provided you create ice lollies with cute faces. C'mon, wouldn't you want to bite into something that looks this adorable?
It's £20 from Hobbycraft or you can order online at Zoku

Oops!

Goodness me, this blog has been sadly neglected! I have been flat out with pretty much no time for any frivolous extras such as doing things I like, but busy is good in the land of freelance and doing my tax return this year was a much more positive experience than it has been in the past!

We are halfway through the summer holidays and the kids go back in three weeks. They will be starting new schools and I have spent an eye-watering amount kitting them out. Let's just say there had better not be any lost jumpers during the first term! Both of them, with their impeccable timing, needed new shoes six weeks before the end of term. Oldest is fine, but the youngest has already scuffed through the toes of his (Marks & Spencer - I am surprised they didn't last longer but then I guess their testing is less robust than my son's).

This is what we have been up to these holidays:
Gromit hunting in Bristol
Royal Welsh Show
Legoland Windsor
A visit to London (including an awesome Duckboat tour!)
Warner Bros Harry Potter tour
National Trust 50 Things activities at Tredegar House
Seeing Monster's University and Wolverine
Eating out
Haynes Car Museum
Bovington Tank Museum
Celebrating birthdays
Hanging out


Phew! I feel exhausted (and broke) just reading that lot. The next few weeks will be quieter with only a few days camping in Dorset planned.

What have you been up to? I hope you're having fun. I'm going to do a more detailed review of some of our family days out that have been made even better as a result of the fab British summer we're having (and this year I'm not coating the phrase "British summer" with disdain and sarcasm). They're certainly worth a visit.