Spring garden plans {HDYGG}

Spring is on the way and it's that time of year when we look out at the garden with a mix of panic and excitement.
The weekend was partly sunny so we sacrificed a day out and turned our attentions fully outside the back door.

Since having chickens, plus the addition of the wettest Winter ever, the garden has turned somewhat muddy. We made the decision to move the chickens and free up a big space for a veggie plot again.
The ground needed a dig so I grabbed the spade and fork and went for it. Maybe a bit too much as my back is still recovering.
An hour later and I felt rather satisfied.
I paused to take a look around, and think about how we wanted it to look.
Our plans include putting in a new dividing picket fence and gate between the main garden and the veggie plot, replacing a falling apart neighbouring fence to make the garden fully chicken proof and reseeding the lawn when it warms up - I blame the free range chickens for that one.
Also at some point I want to re-establish some life and colour out there.
For now I have to make do with a small clump of crocuses and some snowdrops poking through from next door.

What plans are you making?

Linking up with the adorable Annie...

x x x

365 #8 {Half term}

Finally, a week of lie ins and no packed lunches.
Just the one appointment with the dentist and we had a free week to fill at our leisure.
And the sun actually shone - occasionally.

365 #8

Dyrham Park {National Trust}

We haven't been to Dyrham Park for a couple of years, even though it is only about 20 minutes away.
The weather on Sunday enticed me though.
The husband was at work so it was a chance to catch up with a friend.
We stretched our legs, the children ran, found mud, dragged branches, built booby traps and slept well that night.
The grown ups walked, chatted and indulged in cream teas.
As usual the camera phone snapped away.

On a day like this you can see for miles with the views stretching across to Bristol and over to the Severn Crossings. The trees provided hours of fun and the snowdrops were in full bloom. A quiet courtyard for a lunch of cream teas and refuelling of energy. In the gardens and grounds we spotted bees, more snowdrops, natural arches, vegetables growing and, of course, sticks.

A great space to run free or just still sit and admire.

I'm linking up with Annie...

...and with Country Kids...

x x x





365 #7 {Achievements}

It was a mixed week of frustration and personal achievements. The weather obviously being a constant frustration for everyone and some goals achieved for myself and the boy...

365 #7

 

Camp Bestival 2014 - LINE UP!!

I awaited yesterday's announcement of the 2014 Camp Bestival line up with nervous excitement.

Always worrying the top acts but not be up my street.

But I needn't have worried.

Oh yes Mr Da Bank you have done well.

James? Basement Jaxx? One happy lady here!

 

Here's the full info...

 

 

CAMP BESTIVAL UNVEILS

THE FIRST WAVE OF CIRCUS GREATS!

www.campbestival.net

LIVE ACTS

BASEMENT JAXX / JAMES / JOHNNY MARR / SINÉAD O’CONNOR / LAURA MVULA / STEVE MASON / THE SKATALITES / PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT / THE CUBAN BROTHERS / CHAS & DAVE / SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR / THE WEDDING PRESENT / PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING / CHARLOTTE CHURCH / NICK MULVEY / THE RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP / DENAI MOORE / JAIPUR BRASS BAND / THE FABULOUS LOUNGE SWINGERS / FÉ / MUSAFIR / JOANNE JOANNE / MDOU MOCTAR

DJS

BOY GEORGE AND MARC VEDO / TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS (DJ SET) / DAVID RODIGAN MBE PRESENTS RAM JAM / AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA / ROB DA BANK / THE SHELLAC COLLECTIVE / COLEY FROM LUV*JAM / SILENT DISCO

FAMILY FUN

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN PART II / MR TUMBLE / CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY 50TH BIRTHDAY TAKEOVER / BEN AND HOLLY - LIVE (MAIN STAGE HOSTS) / MICHAELA STRACHAN'S REALLY WILD ADVENTURES / INSECT CIRCUS – THE GRAND TOUR / KAWA CIRCUS / THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL PRESENT: ALBERT’S TRAVELLING CIRCUS BAND

THE GREATEST TENT ON EARTH!

GANDINI JUGGLING REMIXED BY ROB DA BANK / HUGLESS DOUGLAS / MARAWA THE AMAZING / MATTRESS CIRCUS / FUNK DA CIRQUE / BRIT SCHOOL / WEST END KIDS / POP / THAT CATHERINE BENNETT SHOW /COWBOY MAX / FUNKY LITTLE CHOIR / MARAWA’S MAJORETTES

Welcome to the greatest family show on earth! With our acrobatically astounding Circus theme already announced we have a veritable wealth of incredible treats for your delectation this comingJuly 31st to August 3rd guaranteeing you a festi-holiday experience like no other at a castle camp site by the sea. Announcing our Friday and Sunday headliners, the first live acts and DJs, family fun and circus entertainment galore, our seventh Camp Bestival is set to dazzle and delight!

Camp Bestival Ringmaster Rob da Bank says: “I know the Camp Bestival family have been on tenterhooks about our first announcement, so ladies and gents roll up roll up to the Camp Bestival Circus and come inside…or should that be outside! I always pay close attention to the Camp Besti forum and social media to see what people want, so I've followed orders and booked two of your most requested acts, and coincidentally, two of my favourite bands ever, JAMES and BASEMENT JAXX. Two huge internationally renowned acts with huge back catalogues who are going to slay the crowd at Camp Bestival, topping a line-up boasting the best fun for kids, a brand new area for teens and so much more… hope to see you in July... and August!”

Everybody knows that we love a bit of a dance down Lulworth Castle way, so we are overjoyed to announce that dynamic dance duo Basement Jaxx will be our Sunday night headliners. Getting the crowd whipped up for a firework finale, Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe have a plethora of globally tested dancefloor smashers and an incendiary live show that are going to bring untold joy to all at the Castle Stage on Sunday evening, so don’t miss out.

Basement Jaxx may be wrapping things up, but the job of getting the party well and truly started falls to indie giants, James! A perennially requested act by the Camp Besti faithful, the man like da Bank has only gone and landed the magnificent Manchester dons and we couldn’t be more excited! With a sing-along catalogue that’s the envy of the entire pop world, James will effortlessly have you bellowing choruses from Sit Down and Come Home to Born of Frustration, She’s A Star and beyond! This one has legendary headline performance written all over it.

Commenting on their headline slot, James’ guitarist-violinist-percussionist Saul Davies said: "We've not done Camp Bestival before but it has a great reputation so we're well up for this show. I'm sure it will be one of the highlights of the summer for us. One to bring the kids to...and maybe even leave at!"

We will also have live music from the amazing Johnny Marr, fabulous chanteuse Sinéad O’Connor, Mercury Prize nominee and soul sensation Laura Mvula, former Beta Band kingpin Steve Mason, Jamaica’s greatest band The Skatalites, bass hero Peter Hook & the Light, mythical funksters, los hermanos Cubanos, The Cuban Brothers, knees-up specialists Chas & Dave, pop powerhouse (and snappy dancer) Sophie Ellis-Bextor, indie stalwarts The Wedding Present, sample geniuses Public Service Broadcasting, the newly experimental voice of an angel Charlotte Church, erstwhile Portico Quartet member and the most hotly tipped man alive Nick Mulvey and legendary knob-twiddling noise conductors The Radiophonic Workshop. Plus there will be performances from Denai Moore,Jaipur Brass Band, The Fabulous Lounge Swingers, Fé, Musafir, Joanne Joanne and Mdou Moctar, with many more still to be announced.

We’ll also have DJ action from the majestic Boy George with partner in crime and VG Records co-founder Marc Vedo, the incredible Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and lord of reggae David Rodigan MBE, who will present Ram Jam. Plus, throwing it down on the platters that matter will beAwesome Tapes From Africa, our very own Rob da Bank, The Shellac Collective, Coley from Luv*Jam and hours of late night fun at the Silent Disco. And there are plenty more DJs coming your way, so watch this space!

As ever, for our Lulworth Castle jamboree, that’s not nearly the half of it! The Camp Bestival roustabouts have spent many a month scouring the globe for the very best in family fun, gathering a host of spectaculars and shows guaranteed to enchant every single one of you. So, we’re delighted to say that Horrible Histories is back by extraordinarily popular demand performing their new show,Barmy Britain: Part Two! A grisly spectacle reviving a whole host of ghastly characters, so you can enjoy a horrible history of Britain with all the nasty bits left in! And, of course, the utterly legendary Mr Tumble will be clowning his way to the Castle Stage once again causing unrivalled excitement amongst Camp Bestival’s discerning tots.

Helping to celebrate a phenomenal 50 years of Roald Dahl’s best-loved tale in 2014, we are hosting a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 50th Birthday Takeover on Saturday, with a whipple-scrumptious selection of exclusive treats, including a super pop-up exhibition, a Charlie Craftathon and lively storytelling sessions courtesy of the Roald Dahl Museum. There’s also a Bedtime-Story special, with Jo Whiley, Howard Marks and our very own Rob da Bank reading the ENTIRE book over the three evenings of the festival. And Lucy Mangan will be talking about her new book ‘Inside Charlie’s Chocolate Factory’.

And, don’t miss our favourite elf and fairy duo Ben and Holly, hosting the main stage with, for the first time ever, the actual voiceover actors from the television series, Preston Nyman and Sian Taylor, providing LIVE voices for these life-size characters. Plus we will have a wild and interactive journey of snakes, sharks, elephants and whales with Michaela Strachan's Really Wild Adventures, our most-beloved circus troupe The Insect Circus, who have a brand new show called Grand Tour, Camp Bestival favourites Kawa Circus spreading their happiness and joy and our friends at the Royal Albert Hall who are returning with Albert’s Band for an exciting Circus themed orchestral extravaganza.

And we’re still not finished! Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, to celebrate our Circus theme in glorious Camp Bestival style, we’d like you to put your hands together please... to welcome our wondrously fabulous new venue, The Greatest Tent on Earth! Beneath its canopy you will witness jaw-dropping circus shows, astonishing extravaganzas, tremendous theatre performances and delightful characters galore.

Behold: A brand new, specially commissioned, eye-popping, ear-tickling evening performance;Gandini Juggling Remixed by Rob da Bank; irresistible new theatre show Hugless Douglasmaking its festival debut; hoola hooping marvel Marawa the Amazing; the exhilarating street dancing of Funk da Cirque; the highly acclaimed BRIT School who will share a unique, never-been-seen-before Circus themed performance; elite song and dance group West End Kids; Christian Lee’s new magical miming comedy show POP!; alternative Tween star, Catherine Bennett; lassoing antics fromCowboy Max; our local Dorset singing maestros Funky Little Choir and many more besides! Sat proudly at the top of the Kids Garden, The Greatest Tent on Earth is brand new, super-exciting and is guaranteed to amaze, entertain and astound you all weekend long.

As well as The Greatest Tent On Earth, we’re keeping you on your toes adding even more ace new areas and attractions to this year’s Camp Bestival, so keep an eye out for news of The Feast Collective, Caravanserai, Oberon's Observatory, TeenArena and the Travelling Barn coming soon! And there’s still plenty more action to come including our Saturday headliner and festi-holiday frolics aplenty, so make sure you get the inside track on our website and our Facebook and Twitter.

Ticket Info

Ticketline / 0844 888 4410 / www.ticketline.co.uk/camp-bestival

Adult Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £195 Adult Tickets are for anyone aged 18 or over on 31/07/2014

Student Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £180 Student Tickets are for Students with valid ID between 31/07/2014

Age 15 to 17 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £113 Age 15 to 17 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 15 to 17 on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 30*

Age 11 to 14 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £88 Age 11 to 14 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 11 to 14 on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 26*

* NB: All teens (aged 11 to 17) MUST camp in the same area as their families with a maximum of 2 teens per adult (over the age of 26)

Age 5 -10 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - £20 These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*

Age 4 and Under Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) - FREE (but ticket still required) Age 4 and Under Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 4 and under on 31/07/2014. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21*

Camping Plus Plot - £125
Advance Car Parking - £11
Campervan Ticket - £72 per vehicle
Caravan/Trailer tent ticket (includes a car parking space) - £83

All Tickets:
- will incur a booking fee.
- are non-transferable and cannot be re-sold.

x x x

 

Disclaimer: I am receiving family Camp Bestival 2014 tickets in return for previews and reviews of this year's festival. As always, views and opinions are my own.

 

 

Bristol Team Honk - Sport Relief 2014

Yesterday the Team Honk Relay baton for Sport Relief 2014 arrived firmly in Bristol following a 13 mile cold, wet and dark Sunday walk from Chipping Sodbury by Carolyn from Mummy Alarm, Emily from Tealady Mumbles, and Jen from Instinctive Mum. Yesterday morning the baton was taken on a tour of Bristol via the ferry across the harbour then up to the terrace of the Avon Gorge Hotel for a Zumba Flashmob organised by Kath at Knitty Mummy. Ella from Purple Mum then braved the windy conditions to juggle across the Clifton Suspension bridge where I was waiting with my running companions for the day, Sam from MissFit and Karly who both stepped in at the last minute following illness for Jen from MumOfOne.

The sun came out for our five mile run along the A369 to Portway and on the final hill down it was so great to see the horses awaiting us ready to take the baton on to Portishead, where the leg continued thanks to the great organisational skills of Jane from Practically Perfect Mums.

 

Following my efforts I promptly went to Starbucks where I downed a chai latte then quickly returned the burnt off calories to my body thanks to a huge slab of carrot cake from the husband. I think I deserved it though.

 

As I write the Bristol team have well and truly smashed the £500 target but that doesn't mean you can't still add to the pot - HERE'S OUR PAGE!!

Or simply text HONK to 70005 to donate £5.

 

Info to peruse:

 

Here you can see the official regional route details and dates for the relay : http://teamhonk.org/2014-blogger-relay/team-honk-2014-relay-route-and-masterplan/

And read about the Team Honk Story so far.

 

The first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March 2014. The public can join the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling their way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country, including the landmark events at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
As one of the biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world.

Follow Team Honk on Social Media:

Team Honk Twitter & Hashtags: @team_honk #teamhonkrelay
Sport Relief Twitter & Hashtags: @sportrelief #SR14
TeamHonk facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamhonk
TeamHonk pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LoveAllBlogs/teamhonk-2014-relay-teamhonkrelay/

x x x

365 #6 {Signs of Spring...}

Finally I have seen snippets of Spring appearing on my camera roll this week.
We visited tried and trusted places and I relaxed with some good old fashioned me time.

365 #6

Tyntesfield

Tyntesfield, National Trust, is fast becoming one of our favourite places and spaces to visit. It's ideal for spending a couple of hours and I love to see the changes through the seasons. Finally, there were signs of Spring there this past weekend.

We relaxed on the old boating lake, admired the far reaching views, found pine cones, played on the vintage tractor, explored the walled kitchen garden which was looking a bit bare at this time of this year, found the wooden den, went into the rose garden for the first time and discovered the most beautiful tiles in the summerhouses and finally watched the sun go down through the trees.

For once I left the filters alone and these photos are all point and snap on my trusty mobile phone.

Not bad hey?

x x x

Linking up with the lovely Annie...



And Country Kids...