Half term

Local schools get a week off for summer half-term and this time we had glorious weather. After staying pretty close to home at the start, we ventured out to the coast on Friday and to Twin Lakes, near Melton Mowbray, on Saturday. I've posted some pictures at http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh129/jimstevenson2/Half%20Term/?albumview=slideshow

The coast trip was to Dunwich in Suffolk, which takes us about two hours. There was a cool breeze but the stones on the beach were warm to lie on and it wasn't very busy. We had a very happy afternoon, just playing with the stones really. We forced Dan onto a route march at the end of the day so that the grown-ups could bird-watch and botanise. After a bit of resistance we got him walking for an hour or so, then home for supper.

Bridget came over to help us with Dan on Saturday, so all four of us went to Twin Lakes in Leicestershire, only about an hour away. It's one of those places that non-parents would probably hate, but we love it. I think the owners go around buying second hand rides and "attractions" from theme parks, like the Wisconsin Dells. It is a very well run site, aimed at families with young children, with plenty to do inside and out.

We tried, fairly successfully, to keep Dan outdoors, going on roller-coasters, peddle boats, train rides and bumper boats, finishing up at the shop, which is also very well stocked with appropriate "stuff".