by jo

Castle Howard – We Finally Visited

For a large chunk of my life I lived in York, though now reside in London. So why did I never visit Castle Howard, other than to drive through the grounds in the areas there are roads? As Historic Houses Association members we put this to rights and paid a visit during our recent stay up north.

Castle Howard looking back from the hill that leads to Ray Wood

Castle Howard situated in the Howardian Hills and is approximately 15 miles from York. The grounds are large and you are able to drive through sections. You often face gateways at the top of a hill where cars only see each other at the point of give way. It makes for a careful, cautious driving experience.

Castle Howard

Castle Howard is part of the Historic Houses Association group, however has changed its rules recently, only allowing one visit on membership a year. They now have their own scheme which you can sign up to.

Castle Howard dome from inside

So what is there to see? There’s the Castle Howard building itself – not a castle, just a stately home built on the site of an old castle. It’s very grand with displays of china from around the world. You can find a room dedicated to the filming of Brideshead Revisited, both the TV series and the film. There is another room dedicated to what happened during the war at Castle Howard. It’s interesting stuff, and I loved how it brought that period of time to life in H’s eyes.

There is a section which had a fire last century which was used as a spooky room (which was pretty good!), with a small shop outside selling all kind of spooky things and sweets!

Castle Howard Children's Play AreaMore recent filming done at Castle Howard includes the first series of ITV’s Victoria, where it doubled up for Kensington Palace when she was born. I might have to re-watch and see how much I recognise especially now they’re on DVD!

Castle Howard Ray Wood walk

As it was nearing Halloween we took part in the Castle Howard trail. This took us up to the main woods – Ray Wood, and over to the Boathouse Cafe near the Children’s play area (suitable for all ages).

Castle Howard lake from Boathouse Cafe

We caught a land train back to the house. The views are spectacular.

My favourite part of North Yorkshire is as you head towards the North York Moors. Castle Howard is near to Whitwell on the Hill on the A64.  The road starts to become really hilly before you reach the most beautiful countryside you could imagine.

Being at Castle Howard gave me a sense of how grand it must have been to live there. Inside the volunteers had a lot of information for us about the house. It was somewhere I’m kicking myself for never having been before.

H spotted loads of Roman Gods on the various statues inside the house. The volunteers were more than happy to help her find more, telling her what to look out for.

H and the Minerva statue inside Castle Howard

Castle Howard is open all year. There are always activities on, and fabulous grounds to walk around. Their website is here.

Country Kids

by jo

Girls’ Football Week 6-12 November 2017!

It’s Girls’ Football Week 2017 from the 6-12th November. So that’s NOW!

Girls’ Football Week 2017 celebrates all things girls and football – so that’s us back again supporting it. H loves playing football every week with Crystal Palace Wildcats. I’m so glad we started doing the sessions.

This video is Sara’s story – she was at Wildcats, H remembers her – and now she’s playing for Crystal Palace girls. Alas, H couldn’t make it the week they filmed this, but she’s spotted all her football friends.

The FA want to get more girls participating in football by 2020 – and it’s getting closer. There are more opportunities out there, though there’s also the chance of funding being pulled in other areas – just look at Notts County Ladies for example. That’s why campaigns like Girls’ Football Week 2017 are important – we need everything that creates awareness out there.

Right now, 8 year old H is having a wonderful time playing each weekend. This weekend also has a chance to be a mascot for Crystal Palace Ladies. Keep an eye on my Instagram feed on Sunday! If everything goes to plan she’ll get to train with Crystal Palace Ladies, meet the team for Q&A’s, have photos and autographs, walk out with the team and have a brilliant time!

She Can Play is a new network of football centres set up by ex-player Kat Clifton. For more information head here.

SSE Wildcats Girls Football Club, FA Girls' Football Week 2017

For more information about Girls Football Week 2017 head over to the official website.

The FA has their For Girls website still going strong with lots of news and information as well as football skills.

More information about the SSE Wildcats sessions that run up and down the country are here.

by jo

Alnwick Castle – Harry Potter-like fun and more

At half term we headed north, staying just outside of Alnwick. As Historic Houses Association members we get free entry to several properties across the UK over set periods during the year. Alnwick Castle was open, and was our destination!

Alnwick Castle state rooms from outside

Alnwick Castle is difficult to miss. It dates back to the early 1000’s, and has been (one of the many) residence of the Duke of Northumberland for many years too. When the Duke is away, us mere muggles can visit.

I didn’t tell H about the Harry Potter connection until the morning we went – I wasn’t sure how big a deal it would be. She’s a bit obsessed so I wanted to make sure I was careful. So instead we watched the first two Harry Potter films before leaving London – as all outdoor scenes were filmed at Alnwick Castle.

Alnwick Castle State rooms

It meant when we got there we could say “ooh, remember this bit?” “this is where Harry learned to fly” and thanks to a mistake on my part have to walk all the way over to the ticket office which is inside the castle to get our HHA tickets. Fortunately this was next to the area you get a ticket for a timeslot to do broomstick training.

Alnwick Castle Falconry display

We wandered around the grounds and learned about the history of Harry Hotspur, a gentleman whose name inspired our football team of choice. Add to that there was a Halloween Trail and actually, there was loads to do. Falconry displays were on all day, and you could pay an additional amount to do some archery.

H also helped the Alnwick Castle Alchemist make some Dragon’s Blood.

helping the Alchemist at Alnwick Castle make dragons blood

I found the most fascinating part of being there was being allowed to enter some of the State Rooms. The actual living quarters of the current Duke of Northumberland and his family. Their main library area and living area was several times the size of my house. Wealthy people have space…

Alnwick Castle

It wasn’t like walking around somewhere like, say, Hampton Court where there are artefacts from significant people who lived there or visited in the past. It’s someone’s actual front room! (with lots of other things because of this wealthiness and space)

However, the thing we enjoyed the most had to be Broomstick Training. Get over to the area to book a slot – at 10.30 we got a 2pm one. For the Potter-mad fan it’s fun. H saw it initially and declared it was “too babyish” for her which is utter nonsense. By the time she was doing it her face was like this – pure joy!

enjoying broomstick training

The broomstick training session lasts 20 minutes, then you get 10 minutes to take some great flying pictures. Let’s just say, people I thought would get it don’t at all (which is quite amusing). It’s cleverly done and tons of fun.

Alnwick Castle Broomstick training

Alnwick Castle is a great day out – plenty of walking to be done and things to learn and discover. If you have the time (and energy) then a trip to Barter Books up the road is worth your time too – even just to sit down and take in the amount of books there!

The website is here. Alnwick Castle is currently closed until next year.

Country Kids
 

by jo

Friends for All at the Polka Theatre

Friends For All comes to the Polka Theatre 20-22nd October 2017 – featuring rapping, dancing and far-out video projections. A story about standing up for what you believe in.

Friends for All by Simon Mole

Friends For All is London-based rapper Simon Mole’s creation. He brings his interactive spoken word performance for families to the Polka Theatre from Friday 20 October – Sunday 22 October.

Friends For All is a story about having the confidence to be yourself and stand up for what you believe in. It features rapping, dancing and far-out video projections for ages 5-11 and their grown-ups.

8 year old Lexi doesn’t make friends as easily as some. If only her school would allow a non-school uniform day then she could be herself and find others like her. Inspired by Grandad’s hippy stories from the swinging 60s, she decides to fight the powers that be, namely her class teacher, Mr Marsh, and the class bully, Suzy.

Poet and rapper Simon Mole performs in this humorous and moving piece, co-created with theatre maker Peader Kirk. The show features Simon Mole’s trademark poetry, rap and storytelling style. There are video projections courtesy of Andrew Crofts, an original sound track composed by Jonny Wharton and lighting design is by Phil Clarke.

Friends for All is one of several productions that form part of Half Moon Presents, the producing arm of Half Moon. Half Moon supports the promotion and development of theatre for young audiences at a national and international level.

Simon Mole says: “I wanted to create a piece of theatre that wasn’t dumbed down for young audiences; something that was exciting and complex enough that they could be an active and creative audience. Friends For All feels like a wide-screen cinematic experience. It features an array of virtual performers and it’s incredible to see how the young people react to them. But there’s also an important message, to empower them to understand that they are able to make change within the world they live.”

Friends For All was originally commissioned by the V&A as part of the Family Art Fun Programme and inspired by their You Say You Want a Revolution exhibition and developed with support from Apples and Snakes, the Albany, University of Bedfordshire and Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre. Arts Council England are funding this production.

All tickets are £13.50 (£10). You can buy at the Box Office or by calling 020 8543 4888. Tickets are also available online at www.polkatheatre.com

 

by jo

A Roman Adventure book from BSmall Publishing

Oh we love BSmall Publishing – they’ve brought out some fabulous books. The latest one is perfect for H right now – A Roman Adventure book.

A Roman Adventure book by Frances Durkin and Grace Cooke

A Roman Adventure book is out now! H’s topic at school this term is the Romans, and this book is perfect. She’s really enjoying learning about them, and with our half term break taking in a lot of Roman things too, it’s a great topic! She has found it a great book to dip in and out of as well.

As ever, the words of wisdom go to my fabulous little 8 year old. She says :

“I like that it doesn’t seem like you’re learning – it’s an activity book. It doesn’t feel like an information book, it seems more like a story.”

“It has helped with my topic at school. I had to design a Roman costume, and there was a section showing it which I used to help me finish my homework”

A Roman Adventure book Roman Clothes

“I liked the facts you get on some pages. The story reads like a cartoon strip. I really want to try the roman recipes as well – there are some different ones to the ones we tried at school”

H enjoys reading the A Roman Adventure book most nights – often instead of her homework! I love that there’s still Roman ruins and places that you can visit which make things interesting when you’re learning about them. Our recent trip to Colchester Castle had a lot of Roman artefacts, for example.

A Roman Adventure book model aqueduct

A Roman Adventure book is about three children and a cat. They spot a shiny object on the floor and find themselves transported to Roman times. They have adventures in Roman times and learn some interesting facts.

There are puzzles and activities throughout the book. I haven’t heard a peep out of H for the last 45 minutes as she’s engrossed. Considering this is a book that is relevant to a school topic, I’d say BSmall Publishing have got this spot-on perfect!

A Roman Adventure book gladiators

A Roman Adventure book is available now from all good booksellers. We were sent a copy of the book for the purpose of review, all opinions are our own. 

by jo

Keeping Warm While Watching Football

It’s that time of year, the leaves are falling, nights are getting darker and the days are getting colder. The football season has also started – we’re well into the new season now. As I’m not participating and am just a spectator it’s important I’m keeping warm. After all, warm clothes and standing around watching football seems quite a good match (excuse the pun).

Keeping warm is my mantra when it comes to football matches. It was November 1984 and my first York City game. I didn’t wrap up sensibly, wearing a thin cardigan, a t-shirt and a cagoule for a freezing cold day. By half time I was sat in the Directors Lounge in front of a warm fire waiting for my mum and dad to collect me.

keeping warm JD Williams parka

Shaun thinks I react in an over the top way, but there’s no way I’ll ever go through that again. JD Williams have a good selection of coats online – I love my old Gap parka but the sleeves are frayed. The Snowdonia Jacket is really smart – it keeps me warm and packs down small too. It feels deceptively thin yet is toasty warm. It is exactly what I need for football matches right now when the weather can’t decide how to behave.

keeping warm JD Williams spotty pac a mac

However, some mornings it’s colder and by mid-afternoon sunny. I ordered this Spot Pac A Mac, perfect for mornings when you need keeping warm. It packs into a pouch in the pocket for afternoons when the sun is out and I don’t need a coat. Those unpredictable autumn days!

keeping warm JD Williams boucle jumper

Finally, I chose a Colourblock Boucle Boxy jumper. I liked the pattern and I love the baseball jersey style sleeves. I quite like the back of the jumper has a longer panel. This is handy when you’re at a game and sitting on a cold plastic seat, I like that extra warmth!

The Jacket and Pac A Mac have both fared well with the Autumn showers we’ve had too – and I do like a good hood that stays up.

The three items of clothing are all available now at JD Williams from the women’s winter coats section.

I was sent the three items of clothing for the purpose of review. They were all chosen by me, all opinions are my own. 

by jo

Everything, at Once

This year has been so busy. It has flown by, and I can’t quite believe it is October tomorrow. How did that happen?

The days, weeks, months are flying by and I’d really like to hit the pause button for a short while, catch my breath and keep on. I guess that’s why we sleep, right?

For H we have a new school year, Year 4. She’s cross about home learning being an extra five minutes long while still finishing it in five. So far spelling tests are within her ability so she isn’t doing extra work. We’re not talking easy words here – last week was adding suffixes to verbs – I had trouble explaining their rules. She has started doing Young Voices with school which is the first choir she has ever been involved in – and she loves it.

Young Voices 2018

Add to that swimming, football and Brownies and that’s a busy week.

She’s also really proud to have earned her first Blue Peter badge!

H earns her first Blue Peter badge

I’m still doing my leadership training for GirlGuiding, and I’m getting closer to finishing. It’s just finding the time! This term we’re about to start work on a Harry Potter themed badge which will be good fun.

This blog takes up a chunk of time, my PTA responsibilities do from time to time, add in my dayjob and it can feel like four different jobs, especially at the moment!

Shaun is happy as we’ve finally bought a new car. A Skoda Fabia, a bit smaller than our old Vauxhall Astra but much needed. After our previous carbon monoxide incident I’ve felt like our old car needed to go. We have had leaky filters in there – I’ve been paranoid enough to take a CO alarm in the car with me and while it didn’t go off, a new car will be better for my nerves. I know the signs too well.

We just need to find the time to drive it now…

One big change this year, we’re not going to see Father Christmas. I’ve managed to convince H that going to Hogwarts in the Snow would be a far better Festive thing to do!

by jo

What Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Feel Like?

This last week I’ve talked about my experience when we had a Carbon Monoxide leak. The question I’m asked the most is What does Carbon Monoxide poisoning feel like?

What does Carbon Monoxide poisoning feel like?

what does carbon monoxide poisoning feel like

You wake up and your head feels like there’s a lead weight in it. You get out of bed and you can’t stand up straight. Trying to stand up straight is difficult, you wobble about all over the place and try to focus. It feels a bit like a head cold crossed with an ear infection when you lose your balance.

The room spins a bit too.

Then a bit more.

You can’t remember what day it is. It’s very confusing. But the alarm went off so it must be a work day.

You get dressed and get out of the house because you want some fresh air. The penny doesn’t drop though, it’s just fresh air feels nice, even if this is London fresh air.

By the time you’re on the main footpath to the station you realise you’re not walking in a straight line. You hope there’s nobody behind you because they might think you’re drunk. You then think “hang on, what am I doing anyway?” because you’ve forgotten. It helps to write as much as possible down because you forget everything.

There are things you remember. Where to stand on the platform so you have a good chance of getting a seat. Seats are important when you feel so rotten.

You assume it must be caffeine withdrawal; you’ve had to start drinking coffee again to wake up every morning, a nice strong filter coffee too. You look at your phone for a bit, try and do some brain training but you can’t really focus because you feel so odd. It feels like travel sickness like the kind you got when you were nine or ten – but on the train. Maybe it’s a virus?

Your train pulls into Clapham Junction (“the busiest station in the UK” they proudly say), and now you have to deal with too many people. They seem to fly into you from all kinds of places like a Quidditch match in full swing. You just need a clear path to walk along to get out of there; to the comfort of your desk and a good, strong coffee.

But first you have to deal with the bus to work. Fighting for space with the schoolkids, trying to get a seat as you’re feeling a bit less giddy, you know it’s nearly coffee time. Yes, that’s what it must be. You need coffee and it’s affecting your sleep at night which is making you so giddy in the morning. Doctor Internet doesn’t need to tell you that.

You finally arrive at work, feeling pretty dizzy. You get on with your job because that’s something you can keep your head down and get on with, it’s always busy.

By mid-morning you feel fine again – those coffee’s have fixed the weirdness.

Repeat every single day.

Meeting up with people is almost impossible because you forget where and when people are meeting, especially when told verbally. Facebook and emails become your social organisers if you can remember what day it is.

People think you’re a bit flaky. You prefer an early night tucked up in bed as you feel so unwell every morning. Besides, it’s nice and warm at home, even with the terrible hot air heating system.

Then you have a Gas Safety Check and the boiler gets switched off. Apparently with hot air heaters the fumes and stuff go outside via the loft. Something is loose up there and it isn’t good.

That’s okay because it’s April. You’re not entirely sure what the man said when he stuck that big danger sign on your heater because you feel a bit confused.

You ask him a practical question which makes lots of sense to you, and he replies, very seriously, with the word “death”. That seems a bit extreme, you think.

You wake up the next few mornings and think brilliant! I’ve finally cracked this virus!

Then the penny drops.

That time H was sick all over the bed.

The feeling the way I did every morning.

So you google what does carbon monoxide poisoning feel like?

Our bedroom is next to the loft hatch so actually, if carbon monoxide is leaking in the loft, the first place it’s going to head is the bedroom.

I may have sworn a few times.

And a few more.

We were all extremely lucky. Especially as we switched on our heating manually every day, never relying on a timer.

This was written for Gas Safety Week 2017  – 2018 is almost here. That was my story.  I’ve spoken on the radio a few times and appeared on London Live to speak about it.

If I’m ever asked what does Carbon Monoxide poisoning feel like? I reply with all of this.

by jo

Gas Safety Week 2017 – Keeping Our Nation Safe

Gas Safety Week 2017 – Get Your Gas Appliances Checked by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

Gas Safety Week 2017 starts today and is a campaign I’m supporting. I experienced Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning over several months, and blogged about it at the time. It was a scary time especially as I didn’t know what was wrong and was putting it down to a nasty virus.

So. How could we let it happen?

Well, we didn’t ‘let’ it happen. There were things we didn’t think about, things we should have known. We know now, and fortunately, came out of it.

Things to be aware of:

• Put CO alarms in every room that has a gas/fossil fuelled appliance and position in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. CO alarms should meet the standard EN 50291.

Tip 5 - Test your CO alarm Gas Safety Week 2017

• Recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. Every morning I felt like I was hungover. I’d stagger up the road to catch my train for my daily commute, I felt so giddy. While the room didn’t spin, I didn’t feel like I was standing up straight or walking in a straight line. I thought I maybe had an ear infection. I didn’t go to the doctor about it because I was busy.

Tip 6 - Setup a reminder - Gas Safety Week 2017

• Know when your Gas Safety Check is due. Use Stay Gas Safe to help you remember.

Our gas safety check happened on the 2nd April 2016. By then we had been suffering from CO poisoning for almost three months. I still can’t get my head around why I never realised that my family were suffering from this.

This year, Gas Safety Week aims to raise awareness to families on recognising the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning in their family members, especially young children after research has revealed that:

  • A third (32%) of people would not recognise CO poisoning, misdiagnosing symptoms for other illnesses
  • If suffering from CO poisoning, most people know to open the windows (68%), leave the house to get fresh air (74%), and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to come and see if there’s a problem (42%)
  • One in 10 (9%) don’t know CO poisoning symptoms at all. These symptoms which include headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness. They are often misdiagnosed as:
  • Concussion (37%)
  • Meningitis (36%)
  • A panic attack (27%)
  • A stroke (22%)
  • Flu (19%)

Gas Safety Week 2017 poster
Gas Safe Register is providing three tips to help keep families gas safe at home:

    1. Check appliances annually – an annual gas safety check reminder service can be found at www.StayGasSafe.co.uk. Currently only 54% people get annual gas checks.
    2. Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – although carbon monoxide (CO) has no smell, taste or colour, symptoms of poisoning include: headaches; dizziness; nausea; breathlessness; collapse and loss of consciousness – all of which can be mistaken for something else.
    3. Only employ a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer – you can find a local registered engineer to carry out gas work in your home by calling Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or by visiting www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

Gas Safety Week 2017 is taking place from 18 September.
Search #GSW17 on social media for more top tips on how to stay gas safe. To find out about dangers in your area visit www.StayGasSafe.co.uk  and to find a Gas Safe registered engineer call 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

We went to the ArcelorMittal Orbit on the day we found out, so we’ve decided to add a giveaway element to this post, with a very simple question.
Please see the Rafflecopter widget below.
The prize is a £100 Days Out voucher from BuyaGift.co.uk, and you can choose where to go. I will forward the winner to the PR company who are buying the voucher. This giveaway finishes on Sunday 25th September.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a fee for my time for this post for Gas Safety Week 2017.

Gas Safety Week 2017 banner

by jo

Woodspring Farm Hut – a Blissful Break in the Country

We always make a stop between Cornwall and London when we’re away. The five hour drive is a bit too much in one go, and we like to find a good half-way point. This year our stop was two nights at Woodspring Farm Hut.

Woodspring Farm Hut

Woodspring Farm Hut is north of Weston Super Mare, and was our stopping off place on the way back home from Cornwall.

view across to South Wales

Do you fancy a bit of peace and quiet, with long walks by the coast and views all around?

National Trust land walk

The gentle noise of goats in your field, and occasional grunts from the friendly pigs wandering by the hut? (and occasional goats trying to get into your hut!)

friendly goats at Woodspring Farm Hut

Or how about being able to run with the goats (if they choose to), or just chatting to the animals because they’re so friendly?

Vera, Woodspring Farm Hut

Woodspring Farm Hut is the place. Oh my. I thought it would be good and was excited about going, but I didn’t know it would be THIS good.

Woodspring Farm Hut view

You’re on a vegetarian farm, so the animals exist to be happy. Add to that Victoria (who owns Woodspring Farm) brings your breakfast to you in the hut at an agreed time every morning – and it looks like this:

Woodspring Farm hut breakfast

The thing I was asked the most was how we all managed to fit into the shepherds hut. We managed! Shaun slept on the floor on a blow-up mattress while I shared with H on the double bed. It was really warm and cosy, with a comfortable futon mattress.

inside woodspring farm hut

Everything you need is in the hut – it’s really well laid out. There are your everyday facilities in the main farmhouse, and you have a composting loo next door so you don’t have to venture too far in the night. A loo with a view too… sometimes accidentally and other times on purpose!

view from the loo

Between the loo and the hut is the fire where we cooked pizza on the second night. Eating pizza and drinking cider while out in the middle of a field was an excellent way to spend an evening – especially with my two most favourite people in the world. And a few goats…

pizza and goats at Woodspring Farm Hut

Woodspring Farm is next to some National Trust land. You can walk for around 2 miles (45 minutes or so) to Sand Bay. Once there, there’s an older person’s Pontins and a reasonably priced cash-only tea room. With views over the River Severn to South Wales and views across both sides of the bay there’s much to see and do. On Sand Bay there are three Second World War Pillboxes which you can see right inside.

World War pillbox at Sandy Bay

The whole area is lovely. Even just pottering around on the farm was a great thing to do. All the animals are friendly. H was free to go and pet the animals and feed them if she wanted which she did.

We loved Jack and Vera the two pigs the most. When at Coombe Mill, Farmer Nick told H that the hair from a pig is used for paintbrushes, so guess what H’s fascination was while we were here?

Jack, Woodspring Farm Hut

You can watch the animals from the hut, all H wanted was to run around the fields with the goats!

Woodspring Farm Hut is wonderful, and I’d highly recommend. We want to go back which is a rare occurrence. We hardly ever want to go back even when we’ve had a brilliant holiday in case it isn’t as brilliant the second time around. You can shut yourself away from the world, it’s somewhere to regroup your thoughts. Fabulous.

We booked our break with Canopy and Stars. The link for Woodspring is here. Their website is here. Victoria has a fab instagram feed here too with loads of pictures and videos of the animals.

Country Kids