Sunday 13 December 2015

The Ultimate Guide to Prenatal Exercise

It’s really no secret that after childbirth a woman’s bladder is never quite the same.  I have a long history of bladder “issues” stemming right back to my childhood.  I took medicines, different treatments and I had a small operation to help said issues, and around a year before I fell pregnant I was finally free from monthly bladder infections.  Despite this extensive history no one ever really took into account how this would be further affected by childbirth.  It weakens even the strongest of bladders and someone really should have pointed me in the right direction when it came to pelvic floor (kegals) and pre-natal exercise.

Also, I will be the first to admit that the minute I found out I was pregnant with Harry I immediately put my feet up and “ate for two”.  I didn’t see or know the importance of pre-natal exercise until I had a bit of a difficult labour and a long recovery afterwards.  It also took longer to get my bod into some sort of normal looking state!  In my next pregnancy (hang on.. don’t get excited just yet) I 100% plan to eat healthier and to exercise!  I mean it’s not like I will be putting my feet up with one child already in tow, is it!!?

There is a whole range of benefits from a bit of light exercise during pregnancy, not just strengthening that pelvic floor or getting that pre-baby-body back!  This infographic from HFE pretty much sums it up as well as giving you a range of exercise’s for each trimester.  It also gives you advice for using gym equipment and information on when you should stop exercising, if you experience any unexpected symptom

I found this infographic SO useful as I had no idea that pre-natal exercise could be so beneficial, I have pinned it to one of my Pinterest boards for future use!!!


Were you active in your pregnancy??  At what stage did you give up going to the gym?!






*I worked on this blog post with HFE.co.uk but all opinions expressed are my own



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Saturday 28 November 2015

two.


two
tuː/
number
1.    equivalent to the sum of one and one; one less than three; 2.
"two years ago"
synonyms:
pair, duo, duet, dyad, duplet, tandem; 
o    a group or unit of two people or things.
noun: two; plural noun: twos
"they would straggle home in ones and twos"
synonyms:
pair, duo, duet, dyad, duplet, tandem; 
o    two years old.
"he is only two"


They say that two is terrible.  Really bloody terrible.  Well guess what TWO, we’re ready for you!! (kinda.)

This year has zoomed by unbelievably fast and it terrifies me that I’ll blink and I’ll have a stroppy teenager to contend with!  I honestly don’t know where the time has gone, but to be honest so so much has happened in this short space of time.
This year was the year we gave Harry his magic ears and we haven’t looked back!  We put him through intense surgery, but gave him the most amazing gift by doing so!

My cheeky monkey has also developed into such a character, he is so loving and enjoys cuddling up with mummy and daddy on the sofa catching up on the latest Disney Pixar movies.  He’s the first one to dish out the kisses when people come through the front door and he’ll give anyone a peck in exchange for a biscuit!
His first words are slow but starting to come through now, especially when he wants something!  “More”, “No”, “Please” and “Choo Choo” are among his favourites as well as the signs that go along with it

Harry has also turned into a bit of a monster, like full on toddler tantrums with head banging, the works.  It’s quite hard to adjust to these mood swings and we are still learning how on earth to discipline a child of his age (tips on a postcard please)
A friend of mine told me that “it’s all in the name” having a little pickle with the same name herself!!

Haribo is really confident and friendly with other children and adults which I am so pleased about.. I worried from day one that being a deaf child would make him quiet and reserved but he couldn’t be more the opposite.  I hope to keep reinforcing that confidence as he gets older!
Also this year, with me going back to work Harry went off to a childminder who he absolutely adores!  He repeats her name “Fi Fi” over and over every morning in the car and waves me off as soon as we knock on her door.  I think it’s been really good for him to be around other children whilst I’m slogging away at my desk a few days a week and his babble is really coming on now.

I say it all the time but I couldn’t be more proud to be Mama to this baby bird.  He continues to amaze me every day with his hearing and the start of his funny little speaking voice.  Hes beautiful and my heart could explode with love for him.
I’m so excited for you to turn two my darling little boy.. however terrible it may be!!


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Wednesday 18 November 2015

Christmas Gift Guide 2015 | with Etsy UK

Its CHRRRIIIISTTTMMASSSS!  Ok well its not quite but its fast approaching and its time to start thinking about what you're going to spoil your loved 
ones with this year.  You all know I am a mahussuve Etsy fan and i'm all about supporting the little businesses that decide to create and sell on there.  You can find so many cool gifts that are a bit different to what you find in your average department store. Here are some of my favorite finds for all your gifting needs!



Arrow Necklace | Blair Waldorf Print | Marble Planner | Coordinates Ring | Blair Waldorf Pencils | Make Up Bag



Star Wars Prints | Tie Clip | Rosemary Beard Oil | Folding Pocket Comb | Horween Leather Toiletry Bag


Hanging Planter | Herb Garden Spoons | Fur Bobble Hat | Canvas and Leather Backpack | Terrarium Kit


Geometric Cushion | Copper Fairy Lights | Copper Clock | Never Give Up Print | Copper Candle Holders


British Food Apron | Whisky Teacup | Copper iPad/Cookbook Stand | Cookie in a Jar | Personalized Wooden Spoon

#needanap Tshirt | Personalized Wooden Puzzle | My Mom Snaps Book | Cardboard Dollshouse | TeePee


What are you getting your nearest and dearest this Christmas?!


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Monday 9 November 2015

2nd Birthday Gift Ideas

Bloody hell.  I am almost mum to a 2 year old, where on earth has the time gone?!  It literally feels like it was only yesterday that my baby boy turned 1 and started toddling around yet so much has happened in that time!
With his second birthday just around the corner I have started to pick up a few bits and “pin” tons of gift ideas.  I find 2 quite a difficult age to buy for, they are too old for baby toys but a little too young for some of the more fun things, but here are some of my fave finds that Harry will hopefully find wrapped up for him on his big day.


chad valley 2 in one magic writer – All the fun of drawing without the mess!  Need I say more?!

Tshirts by Instagram User Yasdnil25
Two tshirt – One of my absolute favourite Instagrammers Yasdnil25 is printing and selling these gorgeous tees for your little ones. I love how simple they are but they look super cool.  I want Harry to have one for every Birthday!!



Tomy Foam Factory – One of the best bath toys I’ve seen and something we will most definitely be getting for Harry! He absolutely loves baths, especially the bubbles and I’m not going to lie I will probably be playing with this one in my own baths..



Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway – Harry has a little wooden train set already but now he is really into his trains and cars we want to get him a bit of an upgrade and a larger set!  I have my eye on the Brio track but the price tag is mental and this one looks just as good plus he is completely Thomas obsessed!


Hape Wooden Toaster – these are all much needed accessorise for Harrys Ikea Play Kitchen.  He loves it so much so I feel like these added extras will go a long way to help him cook up a storm!  It also gives Daddy loads more bits and pieces to put away every evening which I know he loves!!




Mini Farm Animals – Harry is really into animals and copying all the different noises they make so these plastic farm animals will be fun to play with and learn the names of



Melissa and Doug Reusable Sticker Books – Every toddler loves a sticker but they can be messy and the fun can be over within seconds!  With the Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Books the fun literally doesn’t end.  They are completely reusable and there are tons of themes in the range so your little one can create lots of different crazy scenes!



Thomas & Friends Puzzles – Harry hasn’t really got any puzzles and I remember loving them when I was little so I’m keen on getting him some Thomas & Friends themed ones for his birthday this year



Woody doll – We have Buzz, so naturally we need to get Woody!  Buzz however is missing a foot, wings and hes lost his voice after being launched into a full bubblebath.. so perhaps we need to rebuy Buzz as well!!

What did you get your little one for thri 2nd Birthday??
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Tuesday 3 November 2015

Autumn



Its here and its beautiful.  Is it just me or is there so many more copper coloured leaves covering the floor this year?!
Last week we had a visit from Harry's Nana who lives a short trip down the road in Christchurch.  We picked her up bright and early from the station and headed to one of my favourite places to take H to play, Active Tots.  Its a little soft play in a converted barn and comes complete with a garden and horses to wave at before you leave!  We spent a good couple of hours here, watching Harry launch himself down the slide and fight over toy cars!




After his nap (thank god he hasn't dropped it just yet) we headed out on a walk to a local park and on the way we had a run around in the pretty coloured leaves scattering the ground.  It was so much fun!!  Luckily it was a nice sunny crisp day so the leaves were dry and we could bury our feet in them without getting all soggy!  It really was such a beautiful Autumnal day.  The only thing missing was some conkers, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a single one!
Going for walks is one of my favourite activities to do with Harry, he can be in the foulest toddler-hormonal-rage and a breath of fresh air and a stomp around in his wellies will ease his mood instantly.  A cold walk also means I get to wear my new bobble hat from The Fur Bobble Shop - isn't it lush!!!



It doesn't surprise me that so many people's favourite season is Autumn.  The thought of rushing home from work on a chilly evening to whack the heating on and snuggle on the sofa with my loves fills me with nothing more than happiness!



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Monday 12 October 2015

5 Tips for an Easier Car Journey with a Toddler



Timing – Try, where possible, to plan your car journey at nap time/bedtime.  I know this isn’t always practical especially when toddlers tend to nap in the middle of the day but if you can it really is so much easier to travel whilst the bubba is hitting the sack.  However when this isn’t possible try and get up and go really early in the morning when your little one is at their happiest and by the time you have reached your destination they will have forgotten all about being restrained in their car seat for so long.

Nuna REBL Car Seat* - Speaking of car seats, we are MASSIVE fans of the REBL Car Seat by the lovely people at Nuna.  It’s a brand spanking new model of iSize car seats and this snazzy thing spins a full 360 degrees making it ridiculously easy to get your little’un in and out of the car.  Its suitable from newborn with its cosy insert and has 3 seating positions so you can really adjust it to yours and your baby’s needs.  I have found the Nuna REBL really handy now Harry is a full grown toddler as he obviously is a bit of a chunk and I’m probably the weakest woman in the world!  The seat is a lot more upright than our previous one and its nice and high so H can watch the world whizz past on our adventures out and about.  There is a gorgeous range of colours available, we went for the coffee brown which I think looks really good quality, chic and a little less boring than your usual blacks and greys.

Technology – I don’t know about you but my toddler is obsessed with my iPhone, iPad, laptop etc etc so we always make sure Harry has some sort of tablet attached to the back of my seat so he is kept happy for at least 15 mins with his fave movie or an episode of Curious George.  I know this can be a funny subject for some parents who don’t like their little ones to watch too much TV but there are times when only telly will help, and this is one of them!

Snacks – Food bribery can work wonders but try not to overdo it with the sugary treats as you don’t want to give your toddler any more energy than they already have, with no where to go and burn it off!!  I like to give Harry little pots of Cheerios or dried fruit he can pick at and play with, plus it doesn't matter if any of it goes on the floor as it’s so easy to clean up.  Also, take a non-spill sippy cup rather than free flow to avoid huge wet patches and water fights!

Clothes – I used to make the mistake of dressing Harry in his Sunday best on long journeys to see family etc and this was a fatal error.  Mainly because of the snack bribery, drink spillages, sweaty naps and crayons.  You can guarantee that at least one of those things is going to ruin that pretty dress or immaculately ironed shirt by the time you arrive.  Prep for this by having a travelling outfit, something light, comfy and that you don’t mind getting mucky – if all else fails just stick with a nappy!!









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Tuesday 11 August 2015

Magic Ears.


I know, I know, it’s been too long.. but I don’t want to bore you with an update of where on earth I have been and why I have been neglecting my blog so much, so let’s just leave it at that and I’ll say hello!

It feels like Harry was given his magic ears SO long ago now but it’s actually only been 6 months since he was implanted and just 5 months since they were switched on!  I can’t remember life before he had hearing, it’s so strange thinking about it and all the sounds he was missing out on.



If you follow us on Instagram you will know that Harry wears his CI’s all the waking hours of the day,  just like normal ears!  A few people have been quite surprised he wears them to things like soft play as they might fall off, get tangled or broken.  But these things are built to withstand “the toddler” and as long as I'm near him to pop them back on when they fall off there is no issue.  That’s the great thing about his magic ears, so far we haven’t really found any boundaries which is one of the most important things about Harry having them, I don’t want him to be unable to do something and I want him to have every opportunity there in front of him ready for him to grasp.  This includes going swimming.. we do get some bizarre looks sometimes when Harry launches himself head first into the water wearing his equipment as the first thing you think of is that they are electrical and surely can’t be submersed in water!  Yet his CI’s are fully waterproof meaning he can splash away till his heart’s content.


I still get so many comments and questions from passers-by, mainly all very positive and nice, wanting to know what on earth his Magic Ears are and how amazing technology is these days!  I have had one incident where I was ready to be rather rude to a fellow parent (male) at a local soft play who decided to sit and stare at Harry’s head with a look of horror!!  I understand that it isn't the “norm” but jeez do you have to make the staring that obvious!!

Hearing wise we couldn't ask for more from H.  He is surpassing all expectations and his audiologists and teachers are over the moon with his progress.  We are noticing more and more everyday how many low volume/frequency sounds he can hear, his favourite sounds are of course music and he really loves his Daddy’s whistling!  Our hearts are warmed every single day with every new noise he hears or sound he makes, however minor or silly it is.  Hearing the word "Mama" never fails to make me beam with pride


We still use Sign language on a daily basis with Harry and it has been one of the most useful things as he can tell me when he is hungry, thirsty, tired, wants more of something or pointing and signing what something is.  He loves to sign rabbit, duck and sea!  I will most definitely be teaching any future children basic signs as I think it’s a huge help in learning to communicate long before the use of speech.  We aren’t expecting any solid words from Harry just yet, hes obviously going to be a little behind at this stage but he’s really trying to copy sounds and mouths the way we say things.  Mama and Dada is enough for now!

Sometimes I completely forget that Harry is deaf which I can only see as a good thing.  He has taught me so much already about the world and how we shouldn't take things such as our senses for granted.  I think he is so beautiful even with his special magic ears, they are just part of who he is now.  I'm so excited for his future and I'm so proud of where we are as a family today



** If anyone is interested Harry is going to be featured in the NDCS (National Deaf Childrens Society) Winter Edition of their magazine – which we are SO excited about!  There will be a whole spread in the mag on his story from the moment we found out he was deaf to this very day.  I think it will also be available online so I will make sure to link it via my social media!


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Tuesday 16 June 2015

Fathers Day Gift Guide


Daddy's Day is fast approaching, a day where your men can be forgiven for laying on the sofa with beer in hand and footy on the telly!

If you haven't sorted a gift for your Pops yet then here are a few of my favourite finds...


Personalised Map Cufflinks, £23.95 from All Things Brighton Beautiful - Lets start with these lovely little cufflinks from All Things Brighton Beautiful, an online boutique jam packed with unique crafty bits and handmade jewellry.  Mr H will be so pleased with his as they are personalised with tiny maps of our two favourite places in the world! 




Personalised Clasp Bracelet, £24 from Hurley Burley - This plaited genuine leather bracelet with personalised clasp is available in black and brown and in 2 sizes.  I love the idea of having initials on a leather bracelet and I think these look a lot more expensive than they are!  ALSO there is 15% off all Fathers Day gifts on their website now using the code DAD15


Shirt and Onesie Set, £21.76 from Etsy - This set is absolutely genius and oh so true!!!!  A father and son shot in these matching tops would be golden!





Horween Personalised Leather Toiletry Bag, £72.55 from Etsy - Horween Leather has been making the best leather for over 100 years and this gorgeous toiletry bag is no exception and would make an amazing luxury gift for the dad in your life! 



Smartphone Dock, £19.79 from Etsy - .. and finally for the gadget man in your life this smartphone dock is just perfection.  I love the idea of putting a little succulent in the docks storage compartment to make it into more of a decorative item, which would take pride of place on any dads desk

What are you getting your dad this Father's Day?


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Tuesday 14 April 2015

I'm a Working Mum.


There is no "one-size-fits-all" definition of being a mum, there just isn't.  There is no rule book, guidelines or a walkthrough, you just get through it however is best for you and your family!

I'm a working mum.

I work by choice and nobody's forcing me into it.  Cue the shocked face and gasps from various mums and maybe dads out there but I actually enjoy going to work and having another purpose in life, outside of being Harry's mother.

For some people it is more than enough being mum and that is completely and utterly OK! For me, it just isn't!  Everyone is different.
Don't get me wrong I love that kid... I love that kid so much i want to eat him up like a squishy marshmallow sometimes but to feel complete I need to keep my brain whirring without the constant buzz of Thomas the Tank Engine in the background.  I need to drink a cup of hot tea without having to re-heat it twice three times.  I need to converse with like minded adults about the latest office gossip or last nights episode of Gogglebox

I obviously don't just work for my own selfish reasons.. promise!  I now get a payslip at the end of the month, which I missed so so much being on maternity leave.  I am once again able to contribute to the household and I love not feeling guilty when I want to splash out in baby Zara for Harry or take him out for a day of no expense spared fun!

Of course being a working mum comes with some down sides, the mum guilt being the biggest one of all!  The tears every morning when I leave my son can sometimes be unbearable and missing out on things he is doing is hard, I miss him immensely! n There are days when I look out of the window in my office and wish we could be running around at the park together or chilling on the sofa watching his favourite movie Despicable Me (no matter how many times I've watched it)
I actually only work 3 days out of the 5 though which is a great balance for us and I honestly think its good for both Harry and myself to have that time apart to both learn and grow as our own beings.

For now it works for us.  It might not be forever, things may change one day but right now i'm pretty happy with our setup


Whether you're a working mum, a stay-at-home mum OR a working-stay-at-home mum/dad/auntie/uncle/nan/carer.. I salute you, you're doing a fab job as neither is perfect or easy!

Are you a working or stay at home parent??


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Tuesday 7 April 2015

Lodge Life | Bluestone National Park Resort


I feel completely at home when swinging from trees, sitting round a campfire and basically just breathing in fresh air in big open green spaces! There is something kinda special about the smell of the great outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
So when I was invited to stay at Bluestone National Park Resort as one of their #BluestoneBloggers I jumped at the opportunity to go!
As you know Harry recently went through major surgery to have Cochlear Implant's fitted so we were in dire need of a break.  We needed to get away from cars, noise and appointments, so to say this trip was a blessing is an understatement



Checking in was a drive-thru system which we thought was fantastic as it meant no lugging a grouchy Harry in and out of the car.  We were lucky though and were the only guests arriving at that time but I could imagine there being quite a hefty queue at busier times of day or at peak season.  We were handed maps, park info and the all important keys and off we headed in search of 23 Augustus Way!  We found our lodge really quickly but I can imagine a lot of people getting lost as its not signposted that well and the verbal directions could easily be forgotten!  Bluestone is actually a car free place which i adored but you are allowed to drive down to your lodge to unpack your car, for us this wasn't a big deal as our lodge was close to the main car park (disabled/blue badge visitors are allowed a vehicle on site though of course)


After a 3 and a half hour car trip to Pembrokeshire where Bluestone National Park is based, we were more than ready to crash out with a pot of tea at our Lodge.  We arrived quite late in the afternoon as check in wasn't until 4.30pm (you can however pay a small fee for an earlier check in) so the plan was to get Harry fed and us all tucked up in bed nice and early ready for action the next day!  Despite the late check in, guests are very welcome from 11am to use all the facilities they have to offer which I think is a great touch and there are plenty of places to chill out, eat and drink if needed



We were so happy with our accommodation it was absolutely perfect and we took along some friends to enjoy the trip with us.  We were allocated the Caldey Connect Lodge which is actually two lodges with an interconnecting door, handy for when our friends wanted some down time or peace and quiet from little-but-loud Harry.  Both lodges were so spacious with plenty of room for Haribo to run and bike around and I also loved that it was all on one floor with no stairs or such dangers (However the lodges that are multi floor all come with baby gates)
The Caldey Connect sleeps up to 8 very comfortably and came with a travel cot which saved us so much space for the car journey!
I couldn't fault the cleanliness of the place in the slightest, it was impeccable and quite clearly very well maintained - Even the highchair provided was super clean!
One thing I was disappointed with was our bathroom, it was a wet room but it was literally a SOAKING wet room!  It basically flooded with every shower we ran so we spent a good while mopping it up with spare towels and trying to stop Harry from going swimming in it!  I have since heard though that you can request a lodge with a bath which is something to consider if you have a littl'un.  
There is no cleaning service or towel replenishment included as part of your stay but you can pay an additional fee if its something you would like to have and there is also no laundry facilities, but again Bluestone do provide a service at an extra cost.
Outside the patio doors of our lodge was a lovely green grassy area with picnic benches, which I am sure we would have made full use of during the summertime and you are welcome to use disposable BBQs if you wish!






In the heart of Bluestone is The Village which actually feels like a proper little Welsh village with cute little terrace cottages (which you can also stay in), where you can buy freshly baked cakes from Miller's Bakery, a pint at The Knights Tafarn or emergency supplies at Newtons Store.  I also came across a milk and butter vending machine which I thought was such a fab idea!  There were three restaurants in the village, The Farmhouse Grill, The Knights Tafern and The Oak Tree.  We only ate at the Tafarn which served traditional pub grub but it was surprisingly delicious!  I opted for hearty fish and chips with mushy peas and it was divine!  There is also a little spa in the village which unfortunately we didn't get time to try, but I have only heard good things and it looked like the perfect place to unwind.
The outdoor playground for the kiddies was SO good, 100% one of the best parks I have seen with all its tunnels, swings and slides to play on, Harry was in his element!






There was so many activities for both adults and children - including the babies and toddlers!  At the Adventure Centre was a whole list of sensory classes and crèche sessions as well as a Circus themed soft play area with giant Lego and cars to ride on!
Also in the adventure centre was a huge indoor playground which included rock climbing, crazy golf, a bouncy castle and a Lego wall as well as big squishy sofas for us oldies to rest our toes.



The Blue Lagoon water park was a massive highlight of the our trip, Harry absolutely loved it!  There were four different slides for the big kids and adults, a lazy river, water shooting out from everywhere and best of all a wave machine which had us in stitches!  Our friends also took a dip in the hot tub located outside and said the views were fantastic!  The changing rooms were again so clean, much cleaner and tidier than our local pools and we had no trouble finding somewhere for us all to change relatively quickly.  The pool water was also SO warm, almost like a bath which is perfect for young bubbas! We got to try out Harry's waterproof Cochlear Implants for the first time there which was so exciting! 








Our favourite place at Bluestone was most definitely Camp Smokey, a rustic woodland diner with a working water mill and camp fires.  I felt so relaxed and "at one with nature" and the chilli dogs were out of this world - yummy!!!  Also on the menu were toasted marshmallows which put a smile on everybody's face, especially Harry's!
The staff there were telling us tales of the "Adult Guest Only" parties they have there, with live music, food and dancing so if you are planning on visiting Bluestone with no children, Camp Smokey sounds like where the party's at! Ahhh I can still smell the camp fire smoke in my hair...









Also down at Camp Smokey was the Steep Ravine where a lot of the activities for big kids and adults took place including Laser Combat, Tree Climbing and Sky Wires.  We couldn't go to Bluestone without experiencing a bit of high rise adrenaline so we booked up for the High Ropes Course, which is very much like a mini Go Ape with added zip lining!  It was SO much fun we didn't stop laughing!  Mr H is a bit of a wus when it comes to heights so he was well out of his comfort zone and would still probably say now he would have preferred to have been sat with a pint of cider watching us swinging from the trees instead!  Our instructor Jack was lovely and lots of fun, trying to challenge us to do each of the obstacles with no hands (no chance) and making sure we were safe whilst up there with 50 foot drops beneath us - eek!  These activities are at a charge which we paid for ourselves, the High Ropes session was £28 pp for 2 hours and we enjoyed every second

Whilst we were zip wiring across 50 foot drops trees Harry attended a 3 hour crèche session which he seemed quite happy with!  I was really anxious about leaving him at a place I didn't know and with people I didn't know but as soon as we got in the room he was straight in there playing with a dolls house and didn't even notice us leaving!  Apparently he spent most of the 3 hours sat on a key workers lap but he was fine.  The crèche session again was at an additional cost of £25 for the 3 hours, which is pricey when you add on the cost of your "adults" activity, however we found it was worth it for a bit of a break and were really glad we got to do the High Ropes!









We also hired bikes for the duration of our stay and somehow I got roped into a 7 mile bike ride!  To say Harry enjoyed it would be a lie.. he pretty much cried the whole time and then eventually wore himself out so much he fell asleep.. ON the bike!!  I also wanted to cry myself.. i'm not cut out for exercise!!! We only went on the one bike ride but it was in such a beautiful setting, the scenery on route as stunning.  There are tons of different cycle and walking routes so make sure you grab a map or ask the staff which ones they recommend

So I think you can tell by my rave review that we had a great time at Bluestone!! I can't wait to go back again it was the perfect break for our little family and for our friends as well!!


My top tips if you're visiting Bluestone



  • Take a lot of warm clothes if you're going out of the warmer months.  Although our lodge had heating it took a long time to warm up and I found myself quite chilly in the evenings!
  • Take more clothes than you think you will need, you're bound to get muddy during the activities or even riding bikes and there are no laundry facilities on site
  • Take a pack of toilet rolls, enough for your stay as you only receive one or 2 per lodge
  • Request a lodge with a bath if you have babies
  • Take extra dishwasher tablets if you plan to use it
  • Be prepared for a lot of "hilly" walking, the site is massive!  Unless you fancy hiring bikes or a golf buggy (the golf buggies actually look like so much fun!!)
  • If you are planning on hiring bikes make sure you take your own helmet.  We assumed these came with the bikes but you either have to bring your own or buy one for a whopping £20!  We went without but got stung when it came to Harry as he had to have one of course!  We also took our own toddler bike seat as they don't provide these either
  • If you plan to eat out I highly recommend the Tafern Pub for dinner.  I had fish and chips and it was delicious!  Service was great and the food came really quickly, perfect when you have an impatient and tired toddler on your hands

Will you be visiting Bluestone this year??  Take a look at my YouTube video for more info on Bluestone!


*Our stay at Bluestone National Park Resort was kindly provided to us for free in exchange for an honest and open review! All of the opinions expressed are entirely my own!  Thank you so much Bluestone for such a great trip!!

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