This weekend has seen us go from one side of England to the other and back again. Aside from the overnighters in hotels, we've been outside all the time and it's been brilliant to take advantage of the beautiful, albeit stiflingly hot, weather.
On Friday night we drove to Reading, where we stayed overnight before heading off to the LolliBop children's festival in Regent's Park, London. It was a blisteringly hot day, and someone decided that black would be a good colour to wear. I think at one point I actually almost passed out as my vision was swimming and my head was light. However, I'm made of sterner stuff and don't do fainting. All I needed was an Oreo cookie milkshake and the sight of Messers Maker and Winters entertaining my son to perk me up. (The pint of water and paracetomal may have helped!)
LolliBop is a great festival and I've never been in Regent's Park before so it was refreshingly beautiful when surrounded by the grey buildings of London. The festival is a riot of colour, sounds and entertainment, and we thoroughly enjoyed everything there. However, we were only too happy to be back on the train heading out of the smoke later that afternoon where we picked up the car and drove to Gloucester where we did another overnighter in a different Premier Inn. This one was fantastic and tranquil, in the middle of a lovely country village with a stereotypically quaint pub attached.
This morning we packed up early and headed off to the Forest of Dean to surprise The Boy with a Thomas Days Out trip. The Boy has recently started a fascination with the little blue engine and we regularly have to sing the theme music. Today was no different once he'd found out what was going on. Seeing his little face break out with sheer delight when Thomas chugged into the station made my heart burst, he had the best time riding on a vintage steam train and meeting Sir Topham Hatt.
To finish the weekend off, we drove up to Puzzlewood near Coleford. It's a stunning small forest that we've been to before and is such a gem to explore. At the time The Boy was only 20 months old and fell asleep while we were walking around, so this time I was very eager to show off the wonders of the mysterious woods (used in Merlin and Doctor Who). He didn't disappoint as he traipsed around the moss and mud-ladened tracks, exploring steep paths, stone steps and searching for The Gruffalo at any opportunity!
And of course the weekend wouldn't be complete without a splash in the paddling pool, right before turning his hand to his first ever spot of car cleaning!
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My goodness, you must be exhausted!!!
Lollibop looks so cool, I wish I'd got off my backside and organised tickets!
What an amazing weekend you all had! wow you do so much fun stuff with the boy.
I adore the photo of him wearing the black cap – he looks so happy and gorgeous. Those woods look great too with all the different colours etc….
Glad you got some lovely weather at least xx
What fab photos and a lovely family u have 😉 x sounds like you an amazing (though possibly exhausting) time! My little girl is only 8 months but I can't wait to enjoy times like this – the lollibop thing sounds brill too! xxx
Wow you have been busy,looks like a great weekend :)Lovely pictures 🙂
What a busy and wonderful few days! x
Sounds like a busy but fantastic few days. No wonder you are knackered! x
Oh my what a hectic time you have had and what a whirl wind of fun for The Boy! You will look back fondly on this week when you are back in school next month! Thank you for sharing such an action packed outdoor week on Country Kids.
What a busy and fab weekend. Love it. x
What an amazing weekend! Looks like I missed you in the Forest of Dean by a day. The Boy looks thoroughly excited at seeing Thomas. I bet he slept well after such a busy few days!
Looks a jam packed fun trip and glad you're ok now….next time you need to try a Ferero Rocher milkshake…yummmmmmmmmmm!!!!
Fabulous pictures. Looks like an excellent week.
What an amazing looking forest! You had a packed weekend and it all sounded great.
Wow wow wow, The Boy is one lucky fella. Action packed or what.
Lovely
xxx
As ever, such beautiful photos! Sounds like you had an amazing time 🙂
XxX
That has been one very busy time! You really are squeezing the most into the last few weeks, and quite right too.
Sounds like it was the perfect time away from home.
What a busy boy! Sounds fantastic, and I REALLY want an oreo milkshake!
Wonderful pics!