Summer of 2016

July 24, 2016

Albert Dock Liverpool

The summer holidays are a big deal for me, it means access to a whole load of things I can’t manage to do usually. There is no school run to work round which makes a massive difference. Plus we only have one car which my husband uses in the week but as he is a teacher, and has the whole summer ‘off’, I get the car back! I think we are pretty lucky to live were we do, there is no shortage of places to visit.. We are right in the middle of Liverpool and Manchester – two beautiful cites. We aren’t too far if we want to find a beach or a mountain – we can easily day trip to North Wales, or the Lake District or the Peak District and there are plenty of attractions near by.

As the school holidays were approaching I asked Lucas what he would like to do this summer. We made a bit of a summer bucket list but luckily for me he is happy to keep it simple. Top of the list was camping – something we were planning to do and had been talking about a lot. We are working with Millets to plan a family camping trip and I’ve booked a lovely campsite for us in North Wales for early August. We had a go with our tent yesterday and I’m really looking forward to it. The boys are so excited to be sleeping in the great outdoors which helps banish the nerves about taking three small boys away in a tent!

I’ve made no secret about the fact I love a good thrifty day out and our bucket list is full of places that are practically free – excluding the obligatory ice cream obviously! We are National Trust members which means we can visit any of their properties and it feels like a free day out to us. Speke Hall is one of our favourites and has SO much for kids including a maze, playground, adventure playground in the woods, the Childe of Hale trail and you can spot the aeroplanes taking off from Liverpool airport. Tatton Park is fantastic too, we loved visiting to check out the Roald Dahl trail and the farm and in the gardens and will be back over summer. Last year we went to Rufford Old Hall and Dunham Massey and would love to get back to them, especially has the latter has some circus events happening over summer. Then there is always the ‘50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 3/4‘ which Lucas is the perfect age to start.

We always take a few trips into Liverpool as it always has some free events going on over summer. I already wrote about some of my favourite Summer Events but it seems like there is always something happening in my favourite city. We are looking forward to a visit to the Albert Dock which has a roller disco event this week as well as beach huts and fairground rides. Whenever we are in Liverpool we always try to go into one of the museums as they always have free workshops for children – this time I want to try out the Tate. I haven’t been in there since I was a child, one of those places that’s right on your doorstep that you always take for granted.

Events are great fun but somedays I just like to go somewhere and let the boys have a good run round. When the sun is shining we try and get out somewhere local such as Crosby Beach, Calderstones Park, Formby, Otterspool Prom, National Wildflower Centre or New Brighton. We seem to visit them in each season and have a big collection of photographs from them all as the boys grown up. We also want to try Walton Hall Gardens and Haigh Hall which have had a bit of a spruce up this year.

Other things Lucas asked are fairly easy to accommodate and we filled up the rest of the list with all those little things that I sometimes forget we can do on a rainy day; making popcorn, cake decorating, cinema trips and pizza making. I’ve stocked up on a few crafty things for them, which isn’t really my thing but I’m going to try and do a little more this year. I’m more about the foodie fun – creating ice cream sundaes is something I’m looking forward to as much as the boys!

I’d love to know what you’re plans are for this summer – indoors or outdoors, I can always use some new ideas!

Camping Millets

 

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14 Comments

  • Kt

    Sounds like a great bucket list…similar to ours. Don’t forget….The new outdoor playframe at Southport near the carousel, Sefton park, Astley Hall and Gardens, the Ice Cream Farm near Chester, the Black Pearl ship at new Brighton….and “going to watch a cricket match” (?!!) Love summer! We’re also managing to go youth hostelling and glamping at some point. Sadly work gets in the way for me but I’m seeing it as four days a week off instead of three days a week in (don’t tell my boss!) K x

    July 24, 2016 at 12:55 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      I don’t do cricket 😉 but James would be up for that one! Must remember to make it to the pirate ship at New Brighton this year and I’m writing down you other suggestions! Definitley four days off, those three days in work will be your chance to get ready for those fun four days xx

      July 25, 2016 at 7:10 pm Reply
      • Kt

        Yep! And those three days allow me to use the parts of my brain which don’t usually require an absolutely immediate answer…A temporary rest from motherhood for which I am very grateful! I don’t do cricket either but I’ve kinda promised now oops! Xx

        July 26, 2016 at 4:42 pm Reply
  • Notmyyearoff

    I always forget about the little things we can do too but have remembered to stock up on the popcorn. We’re going to attempt Speke hall this time and go visit a farm too I think! I love your list. I may come back to it for inspiration 🙂

    July 24, 2016 at 3:56 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Speke Hall is so good, it is probably one of our favourite National Trust places and it’s only 20 mins from us. I bet Z would love it, I’m trying to write down all my ideas so I don’t run short 🙂

      July 25, 2016 at 7:24 pm Reply
  • Donna

    It sounds like you are going to have the best summer – and I whole summer as a family?! JEALOUS! I cannot wait to hear all about it as the weeks go by x

    July 24, 2016 at 10:01 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      It really is amazing to have my husband off too, he works late most nights when he’s in school so it feels like we get him back a little bit! xx

      July 25, 2016 at 7:27 pm Reply
  • Katie @mummydaddyme

    Sounds like you are going to have a lovely summer Hayley- what a lot of great ideas on your list. We haven’t made plans apart from a short break away to Portugal- we are going to see what happens and hopefully have lots of fun along the way. xx

    July 25, 2016 at 10:48 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      You always look like you have fun Katie! Portugal will be fab, I’m just excited that we can do a little more this year now the boys are that bit older xx

      July 26, 2016 at 9:33 am Reply
  • Steph Martin

    Sounds like you will all have a great Summer! We haven’t really planned any trips or days out yet but we have been enjoying the school holidays so far, it is so nice not having to rush around in the morning isn’t it?! We have been making the most of local events and playing in the park when the sun is out!

    Enjoy your camping trip! I am sure your boys will have a great time and the tent looks great 🙂 x

    July 27, 2016 at 11:42 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Thanks Steph. We have lots of places we want to see but no definite dates or anything just taking it as it comes – not rushing around is the very best bit! xx

      July 31, 2016 at 8:48 pm Reply
  • Tracey Williams

    Hurrah for your husband being a teacher and getting the whole summer together. We too are in the middle of Liverpool and Manchester, and do you know what we have never been to Crosby or Formby Beach, both I believe are beautiful. We love going to New Brighton in the early evening and having a stroll along the front and a bite to eat. Enjoy your camping trip, you will have so much fun x

    July 31, 2016 at 5:17 pm Reply
    • hayleyfromhome

      Oh you must do them both this summer, we love them! There isn’t much else there, not like New Brighton but they are still great, I used to go to New Brighton as a child and it is so different now, I love taking the boys there xx

      July 31, 2016 at 8:52 pm Reply
  • Memeandharri

    Oh how lucky to have hubbie with you all summer – bliss! We are national trust members but are yet to try speke hall or tatton park yet. We spend many an afternoon in New Brighton!! Have you tried Ness Gardens? It’s really lovely there – we are so lucky to live in such an amazing place!!

    July 31, 2016 at 10:03 pm Reply
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