Family Holiday - Day 6 Alnwick Castle and Gardens

Yesterday we enjoyed the beauty that is Alnwick castle and gardens. Whenever we are in Northumberland we visit the castle and gardens. We do this because we not only love  seeing the gardens at different times during the year but also when you pay once and keep your tickets you are entitled to visit as many times as you like for a year!
Last time we visited it was in April. Due to the long winter that we had, the trees and beds were bare so we we're looking forward to seeing the garden a little bit fuller. As it is now autumn we have missed the flowers but it was lovely seeing the autumnal colours. Everything is turning orange, yellow and brown and leaves are starting to fall. I do love the colours that autumn brings.
At the bottom of the huge cascading water feature they have ride on tractors. Taylor fell in love with them and we had tears and screams when we left them. We now know what to get him for his birthday!
We took them round to see the decorative water features. We thought that this would be something that they'd love. This was true for Taylor but not for Isabella. As we walked closer she backed away bless her but Taylor thought it was great and loved feeling the cold water on his hands.
After some lunch over looking the gardens we ventured over to the castle. Joseph ran straight over to the archery which unfortunately was cancelled thanks to the rain. I thought he would be disappointed but he just went to explore elsewhere. We saw, again, where Harry Potter was filmed and admired the castle. Joseph knew exactly where he was going and led us back to the Dragon's Quest. Last time we were here Joseph had to take us all through the spooky looking area one at a time, he loved it so much! So off he went. First with his dad and grandad. Next it my turn. This time he saw that it wasn't just a spooky tour there was also an activity to do as we went round! So we had a bit of "Mummy Joe-Joe" time and completed the activity as well as being spooked and getting confused in the maze of mirrors. It was just what we needed, a bit of time together, me and my boy!
We made our way down to the shop and as we left the heavens opened!  It poured down leaving puddles which the twins made a dash for!
Once the rain eased we made our way back to the car discussing and planning a winter visit before Christmas. They are having a Christmas market during December which we'd like to visit. They are also doing a winter wonderland special where the children can meet father Christmas. This would be great if the twins were older. This year I don't think that they will be sure of father Christmas and the wonderland would cost us £75 altogether for all 5 of us which is a lot of money for us, especially at that time of year. Another year maybe! But we're going to make the most of our years pass and enjoy a winter break.
On our way back we called into Sunnyhills farm shop again. After our visit for cheese we decided to go back and visit the tea room. We had some lovely cakes, scones and tea. We even bought some more delicious charcoal crackers that we had the other night. I could spend a fortune in this farm shop, it sells all the unusual artisan foods that I love. We had their steak pies for our tea last night. The steak was so lean and tender. I am normally quite fussy when it comes to bought pies as more often than not the meat is  not great and can often be fatty but this pie was delicious and packed with huge pieces of fantastic quality lean steak. We will definitely be passing by on our way home to pick up a couple more pies to take home.
The shop details can be found at www.sunnyhillsfarmshop.co.uk if you are in the area it is definitely worth a visit!
Today we are going over the causeway to Holy Island and Lindisfarne which should be a great way to spend our last day here. So far the weather is looking good so we should stay dry!
I can't believe our holiday is almost over but we intend to make the most of our last day and make more memories.

Wednesday Words - Life

Being on holiday and spending time with the people closest certainly makes you appreciate life.
So much has happened during the last couple of months that has also made me think of life and how we perceive and live it.
We have suffered the loss of my grandad and celebrated the lives of the twins when they were christened.
Now we are enjoying spending more quality time together this week away. I have loved watching the 3 children enjoy their time away. I have especially enjoyed watching the twins get their first experience of the outdoors and puddles now that they have their new found freedom out of their pushchair.
As soon as I read this quote I thought it was a very meaningful way to look at life and one that I will remember.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.” ― Mother Teresa

Wednesday Words are hosted by Emma at Crazy With Twins. This week she has written a beautiful poem http://www.crazywithtwins.com/2013/10/23/wednesday-words-finding-light/#respond

Family Holiday - Day 5 Rainy Day

Today has been such a wet, rainy day so we really needed to do something inside.
We made our way over to Berwick Upon Tweed to visit the barracks. This is a place that Joseph had asked to go to last time that we were here but it was closed so we made sure we went when it was open.
This really was not an outing for the twins. They soon got bored and we had to take them outside for a bit of lunch. We always take packed lunches out with us to save a bit of money so we huddled under a shelter on a bench and had some lunch while Joseph went round with his nanna and grandad.
After lunch we walked the twins around the courtyard and they were excited to see there were puddles! They went straight for them and stomped their feet and listened for the splishing and splashing noises they could make. I am so pleased we invested in their first pairs of wellies before we left home!
Once we were all back together again we had a walk into Berwick and my hubby treated me to a lovely box of Thornton's chocolates. In fact we all left the shop with something. Isabella had her first taste of Thornton's chocolate which she loved! Taylor isn't as bothered but as soon as Isabella had finished what she had she was shouting "chocolate, chocolate" for some more. She certainly is her mothers daughter!
On the way back to the caravan we took a detour to Sunnyhills Farm Shop as we had seen it advertised and were immediately drawn to it! One thing that me and the hubby do enjoy is good food and cheese! When we find a good farm shop we like to treat ourselves. We did that today! We left with various cheeses, pies, sausages, crackers and biscuits! We've even said we'll be going back before we go home.
Now that all the kids are in bed it's Paul and Mary time and maybe a glass of wine and some of the delicious cheese that we bought today.
Tomorrow I think that we will be visiting Alnwick Castle and Gardens which should be a fun filled, adventurous day for us all.

Family Holiday - Day 4 Choo Choo!

Today we went to Ford and Etal.
In Ford is the Heatherslaw railway which we knew the twins would be excited about. They are both huge Thomas fans and choo choo like mad whenever it is on. At the Heatherslaw railway they even have a steam train which has been painted in Thomas colours.
As soon as the twins saw the train they choo choo'd over and over again. They were in their element!
We took the train to Etal and went to explore the castle ruins.
We decided to go out without the pushchair today after yesterday's success with the safety reins. Plus the fact that the twins slept all night after all of their walking. They did so well again and loved walking through the leaves and long grass. They then discovered puddles! Splashing in muddy puddles! It was great to see their little smiles as they heard the water splish, splash,  splosh!
We also visited Heatherslaw Corn Mill which is working mill. I have bought some wholemeal and spelt flour which I am excited to get home and bake some delicious bread with.
We have finished the day off with some me and hubby time as Joseph has gone to spend the night in his nanna and grandads caravan. We are currently catching up with Homeland!
Tomorrow, weather depending, we will be going to either Berwick barracks as requested by Joseph or Alnwick castle and gardens.
I have got to say that I am really enjoying this holiday. I think I am enjoying it more because I can see how much the children are getting from it and watching them discover new life experiences. Plus having the hubby with us for the week without the stresses of work is an added bonus!
But the week is flying by and I just wish it would slow down at bit.

Family Holiday - Day 3 Hard Working Honey Bees

Today we visited Chain Bridge Honey Farm near Berwick Upon Tweed.

We spent a lovely hour there looking around the visitors centre, honey gift shop and at the vintage tractors.

The twins loved being able to walk.

We put on their safety reins and let them explore!

They thought that their new found freedom was fantastic. They had their wellies on and enjoyed being able to stomp along!

Taylor discovered that if he stomped on different leaves he got  different sounds. The wet ones squelched and the dry one crunched.

I appreciate having these little moments with the children. Normally life is so hectic so I feel lucky whenever we do get chance to spend quality time with them, together as a family.

We treated ourselves to a couple of jars of honey, one being a heather honey which I am already thinking about what I can bake using it. First thing will definitely be a heather honey cake, then maybe a honey loaf of bread!

We had a lovely time here and were amazed that there was no admission fee, it was all free!

After the honey farm we had a car picnic and a walk around before returning back to the caravan. 

We have finished the day with a Sunday roast that my mum and I managed to cook between us.

After all of the twins walking about they were well and truly ready for bed. Taylor crashed out half way through his milk and Isabella was not far behind. Next it'll be Joseph's bed time shortly followed by us I'm sure!

Looking forward to another day full of more special moments.

Silent Sunday