When Rain Helps To Craft

Oh what to do when you're out and about, its raining again, and you need to occupy small children. Well, just head for the nearest "craft for children" activity place, find a seat and relax for an hour or so while your little ones immerse themselves in paint.

We went to a lovely place called "Pot-a-doodle-do" while in Northumberland - you select a plain, pre-moulded pottery figure, grab your paints and brushes and settle down to decorate it as you wish.



Daughter selected a fairy, son a rocket (no conforming to stereotypes there then) and I just couldn't resist giving a helping hand.......



(note the furrowed brow of concentration on my face! Tricky business painting fairy wings!)

On the same site there were also a group of tipis and yurts that you could book in to stay, they looked irresistible, definitely something to add to my ever growing "to do" list.

Misty Beach Life

Have just returned from a wonderful camping holiday in Northumberland (hence the neglected blog) which was full of sun, BBQ's, castles, bike rides, ice-cream, more ice-cream, and the most amazing landscapes.

The sun appeared nearly every day, but what I also found beautiful was when a sea mist would descend suddenly - standing on the beach in glorious sunshine one minute, unable to see the sea the next.



Children's ability to create games without prompting or props is always a delight too - miles away from the play station/ TV/ computer world. The "sand hand" is a game of trying to build the biggest hand you can by piling up as much wet sand on top of your hand as you can without dropping it.



Meanwhile, the female of the clan decided rock pools made a perfect bath, and a shiny black beach stone was the soap.



British beach life at its best!