Getting That Festival Vibe At Chessington World Of Adventures – Wilderfest

[PRESS TRIP] As a family we have a huge love of festivals and a huge love of Chessington World Of Adventures, so can you imagine how excited we were to find out these two had been combined to come up with Wilderfest – a festival within Chessington World Of Adventures itself, and during the summer holidays we were lucky enough to go and check it out.

We arrived to singing and dancing whilst we queued, which was great for getting you into that festival vibe and a good distraction for the little ones. After a very short queue we made our way inside and it was that tough choice of what we were going to do first. As I only had the younger two we opted to take advantage of the smaller rides, check out the animals and soak up the atmosphere of Wilderfest.

A lot of people think that its all about thrill seeking rides at Chessington World Of Adventures, when in fact some of the days we have chosen to enjoy the smaller attractions and these have been the best ones.

We headed straight for Sealife which we haven’t done for a long time now and we absolutely loved spotting all the different fish and getting the opportunity to hold a huge African snail – well I did as the kids chickened out!

From here we passed by the penguins that were relaxing in the midday sun and made our way to the monkey enclosure where the boys absolutely love the play area. This gave the adults time to take five minutes whilst they played.

Staying on an animal theme we hopped onboard Zufari which is one of my favourite attractions. The big Jeep takes you past a whole host of animals such a Rhinos and Giraffes and then gives you a pretty big surprise at the end, but I won’t spoil that for you.

Feed and watered we hit the rides, which in hindsight probably wasn’t the best idea as sugar doughnuts and fast rides aren’t exactly the best combination! We flew down the log flume at Tiger Falls, got soaked again on the chair swings and plummeted into the ground on the all new Croc Drop which called for some time to chill out at Wilderfest.

Throughout the day we were treated to music that popped up all across the park and lots of characters milling about and introducing themselves to the children, but there was also a whole area dedicated to Wilderfest where you could join in with funfair sytle game, grab some steet style food or just chill out.

The higlight for Oscar though was definitely meeting the baby panda and hippo – even I had to do a double take as they were so life like.

All in all Chessington World Of Adventures didn’t disappoint again and for me the thing that pulls me back time and time again after being a visitor for over thirty years is the fact one trip is never the same. They are constantly evolving to create a different and magical experience each time you vist.

Now I need to wait and see what they have in store for Halloween!

Father’s Day At Flower Farm

I have to say that when it comes to Father’s Day I am a little selfish with the plans I make!

My husband doesn’t really share the love for the great outdoors as much as me, so when I announced we were heading off to pick strawberries his face didn’t exactly light up at the prospect.

The children however were hugely excited as it is certainly a highlight of the summer for them.

Sadly it seems that PYO farms are few and far between these days but we are lucky enough to have one right on our doorstep.

Flower Farm in Godstone is a small farm that has very reasonably priced PYO strawberries  and raspberries come July, with the great addition of a well stocked farm shop and lovely tea room where you can grab light bites and of course a delicious afternoon tea.

The sun was beating down on us whilst picking but this didn’t put us off, even my husband got stuck in and said he was throughly enjoying it.

I love activities like this that cost very little money and bring us all together as a family.

It actually gave me time to reflect on the fact I am incredibly lucky to have my husband who always goes out of his way to make us all happy, and maybe this should be reflected in my choice of activity next year! 

Country Kids

Wicked Wednesday’s:Photography Fail

  

Since starting my blog I have found a new found love of photography.  I have even been looking into course to really get to know what I’m doing.

I had even considered a bit of a career change into photography.

That was until I tried to take some special pictures of the kids for Fathers Day! 

Number one and two outright refused number fours came out ok, and as you can see number three and five were a disaster!!

Trying to get number five to sit like an angel whilst holding a card was never really going to happen and the bright idea of number two lying on the floor to depict her flying away with a balloon looked more like I should have been drawing a chalk line around her!!

I had better get on that course and hope for some better ones next year!

  

A Fathers Day Trip To Abinger Hammer

This and every Father’s Day is spend with my beloved Dad.  He is everything to me and I would be completly lost without him.

He gave my sister and I such fantastic childhood memories to look back on.  He is always on the go and wants to fill every minute of his spare time with something fun to do and luckily enough my children have been able to reap the rewards of having the most fantastic grandfather too.

As children we always went to play at a beautiful spot in Dorking called Abinger Hammer.

It is a complete step back in time, and I have so many fond memories of days out here that are now being pasted down to my children.


  

After a lovely lunch where the children were surprisingly well behaved!  We set up a little spot for ourselves to relax with the family whist the children paddled in the stream, tried to catch some fish and played ball together.

It was the first time in a very long time that all five of mine were on a day trip together which was lovely for my Dad.


        

We also had another first this trip.  In over 20 years of trips here number five decided to take a nose dive straight into the stream!

This was mainly due to me trying to get a good picture and paying more attention to the camera than on him toppling in head first much to the amusement of everyone else.


        

It’s simple days like this that are my absolute favourite.  Good company, beautiful views and children being children.

  

  

  

Allergy Free Chocolate Plops

  

With Fathers Day celebrations happening this weekend I knew there would be lots of treats flying around that number four would not be able to join in with; so whilst the older children made chocolate muffins for their Dad we set to making some super easy chocolate plops.

All that is need is a large bar of dairy free chocolate and some cake decoration sprinkles.  There are lots available so you can be as creative as you like with your decoration.

Firstly get a chopping board that will be able to lay flat in your fridge and cover with a layer a cling film.

Then melt your chocolate in a bowl I’ve some boiling water, take a teaspoon and put a 5cm drop of chocolate onto your covered board.  Then add your sprinkles to each plop.

     
 

One all the chocolate has been used up place them into the fridge to set.  This takes about 10mins depending on the thickness of the plops.

Whilst they were hardening number four enjoyed licking the bowl!!

   
   

When they were ready we easily removed them from the board and placed them in a box to be taken out as and when we wanted.

  

  

  

Chocolate Chip Muffins And Sweetie Jars For Daddy

  
The way to a mans heart, especially my husband’s is through his stomach. So what better Father’s Day present than lots of yummy food!

First up we made some scrummy white chocolate chip muffins.  Here’s how:

  • 140g Self Raising Flour
  • 140g Melted Dark Chocolate
  • 75g Cocoa Powder
  • 3tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 Egg
  • 200ml Milk
  • 150g Broken White Chocolate
  • 1tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 100ml Sunflower Oil

Preheat the oven to 200c/Gas Mark 6.

  
Mix together the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder.

In a separate bowl mix together the oil, milk, egg and melted chocolate.

   
 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together the the white chocolate chunks.  Do not over mix the mixture.

Place into 12 muffin cases and bake for 12 mins.

   
 

Once cooked, remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

  
Once they were cooled I placed them into an air proof tin all ready for tomorrow.

Next up was a very simple pressie.  All I did was get a couple of glass jars with screw top lids.  I filled them with hubby’s favourite sweets whist number three made some gift labels with handprints.

  
I threaded some ribbon through the gift tags and tied them round the top of the jars.

  

The children love making gifts for people and I find that people always find a homemade gift far more thoughtful.

Along with their cards I am sure that is going to be one happy Daddy upon receiving the wonderful gifts.

  

  

Quick And Easy Fathers Day Cards

Who doesn’t love little ones tiny hands and fingers, so what better way to decorate a Fathers Day card than to use their wriggly little fingers!!

A simple handprint makes a lovely picture and is wonderful to compare year after year.

  
I love to supplement my posts with pictures but tonight’s was hands on for me too so I’m a bit short on the picture front tonight.

For number five we just used the traditional way to hand print by sticking his hand in a blob of paint to cover the hand and then place the hand print onto the folded card to create the picture.

For number for we made a multicoloured hand by painting his palm and each finger a different colour.  Again we then placed the painted hand onto the folded card.

   
 

I waited for the cards to dry and then added a caption to the front and let the boys help me write a message inside.

The eldest two would sadly rather buy a card now and number three opted to write on the front of hers about the things she loves about her Daddy.

  
I would much rather have a thoughtful, handmade card from the children and I’m sure my husband is going to agree!!