Some weekends it feels like a real effort to go out for the day and it’s so tempting to stay in and have a lazy morning. Trouble is the lazy morning usually leads to a lazy afternoon and by the time we’ve thought about doing something it is coming up to tea time! At the moment I’m settling for one lazy day where we stay local and catch up with family and one day out; a compromise to let Lucas catch up from his busy week and still we get to go out somewhere and stretch our legs.
The weekend before last we went to Pirate Festival on the Dock which is held, funnily enough, at the Albert Dock in Liverpool. We’ve been a couple of years ago when the twins were still confined to the pushchair so I was looking forward to going this time and being able to see a bit more. I should have organised myself a bit better as I didn’t check what was going on in the museums and we saw children leaving them with all sorts of crafty creations which I wish we’d done. Still, we wandered around and saw a pirate samba band, plenty of mermaids and scurvy sea dogs, as well as boarding a ship and having a good explore. My husband was pretty excited to spot Dave Benson Phillips hosting some children’s entertainment as we passed by and a bird of prey group was there with some live owls that the boys could have watched for ages. The best bit though was the live action fight in the middle of the Albert Dock, Lucas was absolutely transfixed with this, especially when the cannons fired. It’s amazing to see the tall ships in action with Pirates jumping around them, it was a fantastic display.
Then this weekend we didn’t really have plans but the weather turned out so nice that Sunday we just hopped in the car and headed for Speke Hall. I had dressed the boys in wellies and coats, prepared for all elements but it was glorious all day and so warm, they could have been in summer clothes. In the end it wasn’t the most successful day out as Lucas was still tired and the twins were full of cold. There were a few grumpy moments but it was just lovely to be out and it was a particularly beautiful day, I think we go outdoors more at this time of year than any other. I’m already planning a tour round our local National Trust properties over the next few months as they are stunning in the Autumn. The boys could have just collected acorns and leaves all day and been happy, it feels like there is so much more nature to spot at this time of year.
It seems like the weekend flies by and before we know it we’re back to doing the school run again. I wish we could have just one more day before Monday comes around – more time for moments like these.
5 Comments
I think that three day weekends are the way forward!! I remember your pirate post from last year and was determined to take the boys this year but we just couldn’t fit it in. Definitely next time!! Re the tiredness element, we do the same. The boys are wiped out come Fridays so we can cram too much in to the weekend because they need to rest. One day out and one day pottering seems to work x
September 19, 2016 at 10:42 pmI would so love a three day weekend, they get so tired in school don’t they? Would be great to have that extra day. The Pirates was good but it does get busy, worth it to see Lucas’ face when the boats were sailing around the dock! xx
September 21, 2016 at 1:00 pmLooks amazing 🙂 ! I know what you mean about lazy weekends, the twins are usually really tired at weekends and so I feel bad doing too much. But if we stay in they go stir crazy! Lovely photos of your boys too xx
September 20, 2016 at 7:15 pmExactly, sometimes I think we’ll have a quiet day in and then the kids go mad and we have to get out, haha! Thanks Jess xx
September 21, 2016 at 1:01 pmDo you know, this is the first year that we haven’t been to the pirate weekend at the Albert Dock, it is so much fun isn’t it! Flo would have loved the mermaid element this year as well. Defo for next year!
September 23, 2016 at 5:04 pm