Haggerston Castle Part 2

 Sunday was Pauls before I went to bed the night before I put up banners and laid out his pressies just like we do for the kids, and in the morning I put out his cake, I had to buy one instead of make it this year as we were away. Part of his present was a go on a segway, he really really enjoyed it, i watched him whizzing past and the instructor-. took him round the park. The first thing he said when he finished was we have to get one of these! It would be great and would make the school run super easy! After this we did Archery, me, Paul and the older two, Molly was excited to be able to have a go this year, they got out one of the mini crossbows for Fred. After dinner it was all about Ewan as Molly wasn’t old enough for those activity's  yet, which is a shame, I had intended to take her to the kids club but she started to sulk, then claimed she wasn’t feeling well, she did develop a temperature and I thought on no she could be ill for days, so Paul stayed in with her and the littleys. Ewan did Climbing wall and High ropes, while i catch up on a little crochet, Then we  popped back and i made tea and headed out for Pool kayaking, which was only him so he got a private lesson. With Molly feeling ill, we didn’t go out and to be honest it was nice to stay in, cuddle up and watch a film.

After Pauls adventure on the segway, I fancied a go so booked in on Monday morning and he was right, it was great, we really should get one!, she even let Ewan have a quick go.

 Molly had woke up feeling absolutely fine, so thinking that perhaps it was a little bit of jealousy. So today we decided to have a look at what is outside the park. We have our English heritage pass, so we looked in the book and found Etal Castle so off we went. The kids enjoyed having a look round and it was quite interesting for Ewan looking at the weapons displays. We had a picnic in the carpark and then on to the next place Berwick garrison, which housed a military Museam, a Berwick museum and an English heritage museum. After all that we headed back to the park for a swim, tea and out for the evening.

Ewan got picked to go up on stage in one of the competitions

The park was quite quiet after the weekend rush, because of course people get fined for taking there kids out of school in term time. Whilst I can understand why they have put fines in place for people who don’t take there kids to school just because they can‘t be bothered ,I think  its actually badly affecting all those familys whom do take there kids to school and are on time, but just want to go away on holiday for a week. Being on holiday makes you realize just how important it is to be together as a family away from the routine of work and school, hobbies and activity's. It gives you time to reconnect and notice things that you might not see in ordinary life, such as sitting back and just watching the kids play and dance and get involved with things, where normally I would grab the opportunity of them being occupied to cook or tidy or sort out some task that needs doing, but its good to watch them grow and learn. Even for couples its nice to get away from the grind of daily life and spend quality time together with out all the pressures and time concentrates and in a world where over 50% of marriages break down surly that’s important. I really would like to know exactly what it is the schools think the kids are missing out on by not going to school. On the way here we pointed out things that might interest them and they have learnt about motorways and signs etc, but if you are flying on holiday, kids usually ask about the planes and airports, important things they need to know about, On a cruise a few years ago Ewan was asked up to the bridges and the captain explained about how the ships operate. All types of important information that is much more likely to stay with them than if thy read it or watch a program about it. Travel in any form can provide learning opportunities even if you aren’t really trying to impart knowledge. On our holiday they kids have tried lots of sports and activities, fencing, archery, climbing, swimming to name  a few also we have visited local places for interest, abroad they might learn a few words in another language and see how other cultures live and try different types of food. Well you can do all of that in the summer holidays I hear you say!! But for many families the cost is just to high. For example the holiday we took was £244 for 7 nights in a prestige caravan, the exact same holiday in a few weeks time during half term was over £900 which is more than we spent in total on food, activities , petrol and spends. For many this is just not affordable and so if they are not able to take holidays in the cheaper term time, miss out on all that I have mentioned but above all, they miss out on important relaxing family time which could make all the different to their lives in so many ways. The teachers say its disruptive to them  but in my sons class this year he has had three teachers is that not disruptive, also they have booked a school away trip to waterpark in the lakes doing out door pursuits for a week, similar to what we have done this week, but the cost is more than this holiday and if he went he would miss a week of school, why is it any different. I think the government should find other ways to penalize parents who kids have poor attendance, without removing important family time.

oooh that was a bit of a rant but sometimes its just good to say what you feel.

Final holiday snaps next, and a ta-dah moment for the Glamor Kaftan x